The Coordinator, Office of the First Lady of Akwa Ibom State, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, has called for a governance model anchored on sustainable systems capable of preserving development gains beyond individual political administrations.
Obareki said sustainable governance should focus less on temporary interventions or immediate public applause and more on building enduring structures that would continue to create value for citizens after political office holders have left office.
She made the call on Thursday while speaking as Guest of Honour at the 2026 Annual Lecture and Awards organised by Premium 89.9FM, Uyo, with the theme, “Sustainability as a Key Driver of Advanced Governance Systems: The ARISE Agenda Model.”
According to her, the sustainability of development initiatives requires governments to establish systems and structures that provide lasting pathways to prosperity, rather than concentrating solely on achievements within a particular political cycle.
She identified the ARISE Agenda as the development framework of the Akwa Ibom State Government, covering sectors including agriculture, rural development, infrastructure, security, education, healthcare, women and youth empowerment, tourism and economic development.
Obareki said the effectiveness of governance should ultimately be measured by the capacity of such systems to continue delivering benefits to citizens, stressing that developmental gains should become a lasting heritage.
The First Lady’s Office Coordinator also commended Premium 89.9FM for recognising Governor Umo Eno with its “Most Performing Governor in Nigeria 2026” award, describing the recognition as an acknowledgement of the administration’s development efforts under the ARISE Agenda.
She said, “I am immensely proud that Premium 89.9FM has rightly identified this impact, selecting His Excellency as the Sole Winner of the Premium Awards 2026.
“This honour is a well-deserved tribute to a leader whose blueprint ensures that today’s developmental gains become tomorrow’s sustainable heritage.”
She also recalled that the station had honoured her in 2025 with the “Amazon of the Niger Delta” award, saying the recognition had encouraged her in her leadership and service journey.
Beyond governance, Obareki highlighted human-capacity development as another component of sustainable development, congratulating the second cohort of trainees inducted into the Premium Digital Academy.
She described the academy as an example of corporate social responsibility, saying equipping young people with modern digital skills would help them participate meaningfully in a technology-driven economy.
She disclosed that the Office of the First Lady, through the Patience Umo Eno Golden Initiative for All (GIFA), was implementing the GIFA-Tech Women Initiative, under which 250 women were being trained in 2D and 3D animation, executive assistance and entrepreneurship.
“Human capacity development remains our core priority,” she said, adding that the initiative was designed to equip participants with skills that could expand their economic opportunities.
Obareki maintained that combining structural governance with digital and economic empowerment would create a generation capable of contributing to sustainable development.
Receiving the Governor’s award on his behalf, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Eno, Mr Ekerete Udoh, thanked Premium 89.9FM for the recognition, saying it would encourage the Governor and his administration to intensify their service to the people.
Udoh also reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to working with the media, describing radio as an important platform for informing citizens, facilitating public engagement and strengthening communication between government and the people.
Earlier, the Managing Director of Premium 89.9FM, Mrs Maureen Umanah, described Governor Eno as a “Golden Governor with the Midas touch,” saying the station had observed what she described as the impact of the ARISE Agenda across the state.
Umanah said the station remained committed to quality broadcasting, development advocacy and community initiatives, citing its annual lecture and awards programme and the Premium Digital Academy as part of its contribution to society.
The Chairman of the occasion and Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Frank Archibong, said recognition and awards could encourage greater commitment to public service, stressing that governance extended beyond government offices to decisions and actions affecting citizens’ lives and dignity.
Delivering the lecture, the Vice Chancellor of Akwa Ibom State University, Prof. Otoabasi Akpan, described the ARISE Agenda as an interconnected development framework involving different arms and units of government.
Akpan said sustained implementation of the agenda could support the transition of Akwa Ibom from a predominantly civil-service-oriented economy towards greater industrialisation.
He identified infrastructure, tourism, social housing, agriculture, healthcare and education as areas where sustainability could be integrated into development planning.
The Vice Chancellor cited road and bridge construction, the upgrading of previously abandoned projects including the Ibom Tropicana project and Oron Maritime Facility, social housing, payment of pensions and gratuities, the Ibom Model Farm, model primary healthcare centres, the proposed teaching hospital and emergency medical services, as well as model schools.
He further identified tourism as an area with significant economic potential, saying sustained investment in tourism infrastructure could create employment, broaden economic opportunities and increase internally generated revenue.
Goodwill messages were delivered by the member representing Uruan State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Dr Itoro Etim; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information, Akparawa James Edet; and Wife of the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Inemesit Uwah.
They commended Premium 89.9FM for its community development initiatives and efforts to promote development-oriented messages across the state.
