Akwa Ibom Executive Council Approves Justice, Health, and Education Reforms

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By Newspot Nigeria News Desk

Uyo—The Akwa Ibom State Executive Council, under the chairmanship of Governor Pastor Umo Eno, PhD, convened its regular meeting on Monday, October 13, 2025, at the Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Uyo, to deliberate on key governance, development, and institutional reform matters in line with the ARISE Agenda.

In attendance were the Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi; the Secretary to the State Government; the Head of Civil Service; the Executive Assistant and Chief Delivery Advisor; Honourable Commissioners, and Special Advisers.

Key Highlights and Resolutions

1. Ministerial Realignment Committee
   • The Council approved the setting up of a special committee to realign and update ministerial responsibilities, eliminating overlaps and streamlining governance structures.
   • The Secretary to the State Government will serve as Chairman, with the Head of Civil Service, Executive Assistant, Attorney General, Solicitor-General, and Managing Director of AKICORP as members.
   • The committee has a six-week deadline to submit its report.
2. Office of the Public Defender Established
   • To deepen justice reform and enhance citizens’ rights protection, Council approved the creation of the Office of the Public Defender under the Ministry of Justice.
   • The new office will offer free legal representation to indigent residents, ensure fair treatment under the law, and reduce pre-trial detentions while educating citizens on their rights and obligations.
3. Health Sector Emergency Implementation
   • The Council reviewed and approved updates on the State of Emergency in the Health Sector, including:
     • Recruitment of doctors and health professionals.
     • Increased allowances for medical personnel and adoption of the Skipping Policy.
     • Rehabilitation of selected hospitals and primary healthcare centres, with BOQs to be finalized within two weeks.
     • Health Sector Stakeholders’ Dialogue scheduled for November 8–9, 2025.
     • Commissioning of the General Hospital, Ukanafun, on November 10, 2025.
     • Medical residency training fund approved, pending final agreements.
4. College of Education Upgraded
   • The Council approved the upgrading of the College of Education, Afaha Nsit, to the Akwa Ibom State University of Education, in alignment with the Human Capital Development component of the ARISE Agenda.
5. Project Ratifications
   • The Council ratified FGPC memos relating to various ongoing infrastructural projects across the state, reinforcing continuity and accountability in project delivery.
6. Governor’s Engagement with Police Authorities
   • Earlier in the day, Governor Umo Eno received the AIG Zone 6, Auwal Mohammed Musa, who commended the Governor’s support for improved policing logistics and welfare in Akwa Ibom State.

The meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m., after which the Governor and Council members paid a condolence visit to the family of the late Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai, a revered Christian leader described as a “God’s General” who had recently passed on to eternal glory.

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Source: Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Information
Signed: Rt. Hon. Aniekan Umanah, Commissioner for Information
Date: October 13, 2025

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FULL STATEMENT

EXCERPTS FROM THE AKWA IBOM STATE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2025

The Akwa Ibom State Executive Council held its regular meeting on Monday, October 13, 2025, at the Executive Council Chamber, Governor’s Office, Uyo. The meeting was presided over by the Governor and Chairman in Council, His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, PhD. In attendance were the Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi; Secretary to the State Government; Head of the Civil Service; Executive Assistant and Chief Delivery Advisor; Honourable Commissioners and Special Advisers.

In his opening remarks, His Excellency the Governor in Council, Pastor Umo Eno, welcomed members and charged all to remain steadfast and loyal to the ideals of the administration. The Governor urged members to remain committed to service delivery and collaboration for the full realization of the ARISE Agenda for the overall development of the State, within set timelines.

RESOLUTIONS

1. In a bid to realign and update ministerial responsibilities as well as resolve areas of overlap, the Governor-in-Council approved the composition of a special committee to implement the exercise. The committee has the Secretary to the State Government as Chairman, with the Head of the Civil Service, Executive Assistant, Attorney General, Solicitor-General, and Managing Director of Akwa Ibom State Investment Corporation (AKICORP) as members. The Committee has six weeks to submit its report.
2. In giving effect to the promotion of justice, social welfare, safety, and security management components of the ARISE Agenda, the Executive Council considered and approved a Memo for the Establishment of the Office of the Public Defender under the Ministry of Justice to provide free legal representation to indigent residents and ensure they receive fair treatment under the law, reduce the number of suspects detained without trial, protect rights of the vulnerable, and educate citizens on their rights and obligations to promote justice sector reforms.
3. Following the review of the report of the inter-ministerial committee on the implementation of the State of Emergency in the Health Sector, Council considered and approved projects and program timelines—especially the recruitment of doctors and medical professionals, increase in special peculiar allowances for medical personnel, Skipping Policy for the health sector, evaluation and completion of BOQs for phase 1 of the rehabilitation of selected hospitals and primary healthcare facilities within two weeks to enable health infrastructure interventions to commence by November 1. A Health Sector Stakeholders Dialogue is scheduled for the 8th & 9th of November, 2025; a medical residency training fund is subject to the requisite agreements, and the commissioning of General Hospital, Ukanafun, will hold on the 10th of November, 2025.
4. In its drive to improve the standard and quality of teacher education in line with the Human Capital Development of the ARISE Agenda, Council received and adopted the memo for the Upgrading of the College of Education, Afaha Nsit, to Akwa Ibom State University of Education and approved same for regularization.
5. Council also considered several reports and memos and ratified FGPC memos on various ongoing projects in the State.
6. The Governor had earlier in the day received in courtesy the AIG in charge of Zone 6, Auwal Mohammed Musa, who commended his partnership for the enhancement of policing duties in the State through various logistical and welfare support to the Police and security agencies.

The EXCO rose at 7:30 p.m. for a condolence visit to the family of the revered God’s General, Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai, who recently passed on to eternal glory.

Rt. Hon. Aniekan Umanah
Commissioner for Information
October 13, 2025

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