Umo Eno’s Humanitarian Programmes Impact Over 650,000 Households — Aniekan Umanah

Tony Okoh, Uyo

Akwa Ibom State Government has said that its sustained humanitarian interventions under the ARISE Agenda have significantly improved the welfare of vulnerable citizens, with more than 650,000 households benefiting from various support programmes implemented across the state.

The Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Umanah disclosed a Joint Ministerial Briefing held in Uyo as part of activities marking the third anniversary of the administration of Governor Umo Eno.

Speaking before journalists and stakeholders, Umanah said the administration has remained committed to its people-oriented governance philosophy by rolling out large-scale humanitarian initiatives designed to support widows, senior citizens, indigent families and low-income households across the 31 local government areas of the state.

According to the Commissioner, Governor Umo Eno’s administration has continued to place the welfare of the people at the centre of governance, noting that the humanitarian programmes were aimed at ensuring that vulnerable citizens feel the direct impact of government policies.

“The administration of Governor Umo Eno remains committed to a governance model that places people at the centre of development. Our humanitarian interventions are designed to ensure that the most vulnerable members of society feel the impact of government,” he stated.

Umanah highlighted the establishment of the Senator Oluremi Tinubu ARISE Senior Citizens Home as one of the landmark achievements of the administration in the social welfare sector.

He explained that the facility was created to provide healthcare, recreation and welfare services for elderly citizens in the state, adding that it represents the government’s commitment to improving the quality of life for senior citizens.

The Commissioner further disclosed that under the ARISE Initiative for the Elderly, the state government had provided one-off grants of N50,000 each to senior citizens across all local government areas.

“Through the ARISE Initiative for the Elderly, we have provided financial support to over 12,000 senior citizens across the state. This is in addition to the construction of the Senator Oluremi Tinubu ARISE Senior Citizens Home, which offers healthcare, recreation and welfare services for our elderly population,” he said.

On housing interventions, Umanah said the ARISE Compassionate Homes Programme had continued to provide shelter and dignity for widows, vulnerable families and indigent citizens.

He noted that the initiative has become a symbol of hope for many disadvantaged residents, especially those who previously lacked decent accommodation.

“The ARISE Compassionate Homes Programme has become a symbol of hope for widows, vulnerable families and indigent citizens. Out of the 500 homes planned under the programme, 455 have already been completed and handed over to beneficiaries,” he revealed.

Speaking on food security, the Commissioner said the government had intensified efforts to cushion the effects of economic hardship through free distribution of staple food items under the ARISE Food Security Programme, implemented through the Bulk Purchase Agency.

According to him, the intervention has continued to provide relief to struggling families amid prevailing economic challenges across the country.

“We recognize the economic realities facing many households. That is why the government has sustained free food distribution through the ARISE Food Security Programme, with over 650,000 households benefiting from the intervention across the state,” he stated.

Umanah maintained that the humanitarian programmes reflected Governor Umo Eno’s broader vision of inclusive development, compassionate leadership and shared prosperity.

He stressed that the administration remained determined to ensure that no resident of Akwa Ibom was excluded from the benefits of governance.

“His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, believes that development must be inclusive and compassionate. These interventions demonstrate our resolve to ensure that no Akwa Ibom person is left behind in our march towards shared prosperity under the ARISE Agenda,” he added.

The Commissioner reiterated the state government’s commitment to expanding social welfare programmes and strengthening support for vulnerable groups as part of its long-term development agenda.

He emphasized that the administration would continue to prioritize initiatives that directly impact the lives of ordinary citizens.

“The true measure of governance is the impact it has on the lives of the people. We are proud that through these humanitarian programmes, thousands of families have received shelter, food, financial support and renewed hope for a better future,” Umanah said.