By Osondu Ahirika
Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno is proving to be a Nostradamus.
He most definitely saw today and tomorrow two years ago.
From the onset of his declaration to run for governor, he showed himself prepared.
He rightly divides his vision as the ARISE AGENDA.
The cornerstone of that blueprint is the Agricultural Revolution and Rural Development, its bottom line.
Both thematic thrusts were embellished by the other three.
Infrastructure expansion, education advancement, and security.
Distilled further, Governor Umo Eno’s ultimate objective was to achieve poverty reduction, food sufficiency, price control/ stability for agricultural products, and gainful engagement of farmers.
Not excluding animal husbandry and blue economy, it blended a total package.
As a summary, upgrading the living conditions of rural poor and forgotten suburban populations was the focal point of his bid to become governor.
It’s now clear Governor Umo Eno correctly envisaged there will be famine in the land less than a year into his tenure.
Thus enabled, he planned for food surplus in time of acute scarcity.
Between 1894-1878 BCE, Sesostris II reigned over Egypt as Pharaoh. He had a dream of abundance and lack.
Young Joseph became the interpreter and so conceived the first welfarist food reserve agency known in human history.
In Governor Umo Eno, we have an incarnation of both Sesosris II and Joseph.
He saw, and he conquered his vision of famine with precise substantiation.
After careful analytics, he took bold steps.
Updating the social register.
Appointing foot soldiers in every political Ward as Personal Assistants.
The legal, structural, and administrative issues are all sorted.
He inaugurated the Bulk Purchasing Agency.
Governor Umo Eno is set to flag off the ARISE FOOD SECURITY programme on Tuesday, March 26, 2024.
It’s an ambitious project.
A one-time Ekiti State Governor famously described it as’ Stomach Infrastructure’
Explained, it means feeding the hungry.
In man’s pyramid of needs, his most pressing problem is food.
Governor Umo Eno, an expert in the food business, should be commended for this timely intervention.
It is a win-win for farmers and eaters.
Through the Bulk Purchasing Agency, farmers are sure to cut their loses.
They now have a guaranteed offtake of their farm produce and are reassured of steady income from their labour.
Governor Umo Eno has made Agricultural enterprise more attractive.
In pursuit of food security, he has revolutionised the sector.
The Bulk Purchasing Agency, a masterstroke full of promise.
The administration has provided input support for farmers, facilitated land preparation, made available improved seedlings of various crops, and gave grants to farmers.
All we see is the unparalleled but unpretentious empathy of a leader with the heart of a truly called pastor.
A good shephered who stakes all for the good of his flock.
Data analysis reveals that about 550, 000 less privileged households are captured in the social register of Akwa Ibom State.
Over 2 million are listed as vulnerable people therein.
Feeding the hundreds of thousands is the challenge Governor Umo Eno dares to undertake.
Jesus fed 5000 with five loaves of bread and two fishes according to the Bible.
Pastor Eno is set to do greater work as Jesus requires of his disciples.
Food vouchers will be issued to the registered beneficiaries.
They will present the same to designated redemption points in all Wards accross Akwa Ibom State at no cost whatsoever.
The people will be supplied with staple foodstuffs.
Rice, beans and garri for free.
It’s incredible but true.
This programme is phased with three pronged timelines.
Zero hunger will be achieved in the short term.
The back to farm policy is a must for all in the medium term.
The long-term goal is food security by the next harvest season if we align with the vision.
Folk’s, we commend the governor for being compassionate and considerate with the poor.
We acknowledge the heart of a father he has continued to exert with people centric zeal.
However, we must go back to the farm to finally banish hunger in the land.
Go, Bulk Purchasing Agency! Go and execute the vision.
Let other State’s learn from the clear elucidation of Governor Umo Eno’s vision.
Food for all.
