In a bid to actualize the goals of his administration’s A.R.I.S.E. agenda, the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno has announced that 31 youths of the State will be undergoing training at the Songhai Agricultural Technology Institute, Cotonou, Benin Republic.

He said this is with a view to ensure the duplication of the Songhai Farm in the State.

The Governor announced this on his arrival to the state from an official trip to analyze the agricultural investment opportunities in Cotonou, which he expects the State would benefit from.

He explained that the trip was necessary to assess the Songhai Farm in order to have full knowledge of what was going to be replicated in the state and what it was going to take to bring it to reality and concluded that this level of success can only be achieved through commitment.

“The visit to Songhai Farm was to see for ourselves what we are about getting into, have a clear understanding of how it works and we have done that”

“Myself and the team, we are extremely amazed at what we have seen on the ground and I believe we can replicate that. We need to get committed people. The story of Songhai is commitment. Commitment, commitment, commitment”

Eno noted that Akwa Ibom State is home to a lot of committed youths and as such, reaching 31 of them will not be cumbersome as one youth each will be selected from each of the 31 local government areas of the state.

He elucidated that prior to his election about 15 youths had already been trained on his personal account and so the thirty-one being added will be a welcome development.

“I know Akwa Ibom people are committed people. We are going to get young people across the 31 local Government areas that are committed. They will be gone for two months.”

He, however, reiterated the need for commitment. Noting that it is a very important factor in the success of the project.

“…what is most important is to have young people who are committed, leaders that are committed. I am sure we will be able to make this happen.”