Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Akwa Ibom State, Hon. Frank Archibong, says the Ethical and Attitudinal Reorientation Commission, EARCOM, should be the major marketer of Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda.
The Commissioner said this during a courtesy visit by the Board of EARCOM, to his office in Uyo yesterday (18th September, 2023), adding that, being an advocacy body, the Commission should spare no effort in collaborating with relevant Ministries and Agencies of Government in pursuit of her charter.
Hon. Archibong, who commended EARCOM, for what he described as concerted efforts at public sensitisation and social mobilisation and human reengineering, tasked EARCOM, to devise more strategies and harness every available media to ensure the people buy into Government policies and programmes which are initiated for public good.
He expressed delight at the visit and assured EARCOM, that the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, will readily partner the Commission to reach the grassroots and facilitate the proposed Arise Agenda advocacy tour of EARCOM, to the 31 Council Areas of the State.
Hon. Archibong, also pledged to ensure the traditional institution, as well as, grassroots structures at the Local Governments cooperate with EARCOM, to achieve her mass sensitisation campaigns.
Harping that Governor Umo Eno, has a very rich vision engendered in his development blueprint called the ARISE Agenda, Hon. Archibong, said EARCOM, should be strategic in engaging the rural people and communities to enlighten them on the benefits of supporting the government to achieve its objectives.
Earlier, the Chairman of EARCOM, Dr Dorothy Thompson, who led the team intimated the Commissioner that they came to seek partnership with the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, in furtherance of the Commissions quest to embark on statewide sensitisation campaign at the 31 Council Areas.
Dr Thompson, said EARCOM, takes the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, seriously, because it is a veritable avenue to gain the widest reach to the grassroots structures and can therefore facilitate the public advocacy role of the Commission. She added that, EARCOMs biggest challenge is to get the citizens to trust the Government and accordingly support leaders as working for the common good.
The EARCOM boss, however, lamented that even though EARCOM, has many initiatives and programmes, paucity of funds and other logistics such as means of transportation, have severely hampered the operational capacity of the Commission.
Dr Thompson appealed for support from the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, to enable EARCOM, cover more grounds. She assured the Commissioner that EARCOM, has adopted the ARISE Agenda as a working document for her public sensitisation campaigns and expressed confidence that Governor Umo Eno, will deliver on good governance beyond the expectation of the people.
Also Speaking, Sir Ubong Ekefre, thanked Hon. Archibong, for his competent management of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. He explained that EARCOM, will take full advantage of his Ministry to engage the grassroots.
Likening the ARISE Agenda of Governor Umo Eno, to a local version of the universally acclaimed Sustainable Development Goals, Sir Ekefre, said EARCOM, will commit to drum support and inspire trust from the people for the laudable vision of the current administration.
Giving the vote of thanks, Hon. Goodnews Ediene; commended Hon. Frank Archibong, for opening his doors for EARCOM, and his manifest generosity of spirit to extend immense support to the Commission. He assured him of the continued solidarity of EARCOM.
Highpoint of the even was the presentation of copies of the maiden edition of ‘eti Ukara’ – the corporate news magazine of EARCOM, to Commissioner Frank Archibong, by the EARCOM Chairman, Dr Dorothy Thompson, even as she intimated him of plans to commence EARCOM radio broadcasts.
Representatives of EARCOM, who paid the courtesy call include, the Chairman, Dr Dorothy Thompson, Hon. Sir Ubong Ekefre, Hon. Tommy Enodien, Rev. Osondu Ahirika and Hon. Goodnews Ediene. Also present was the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Elder Ini Ikie.
