The Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady of Akwa Ibom State, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, has advocated sustainable governance as a means of preserving development gains beyond political administrations.
Lady Obareki made the call on Thursday while speaking as Guest of Honour at the 2026 Annual Lecture and Awards of Premium 89.9FM in Uyo, with the theme, “Sustainability as a Key Driver of Advanced Governance Systems: The ARISE Agenda Model.”
She also received the “Amazon of the Niger Delta” award from the radio station, which had earlier honoured her with the recognition in 2025.
Lady Obareki said governance should not be measured by short-term applause or temporary interventions, but by the ability of governments to establish systems and structures capable of continuing to deliver value to citizens beyond political cycles.
She said the Akwa Ibom Government’s ARISE Agenda provides a development framework covering agriculture, rural development, infrastructure, security, education, healthcare, women and youth empowerment, tourism and economic advancement.
The First Lady’s Office Coordinator commended Premium 89.9FM for its consistency in public broadcasting, development advocacy and recognition of individuals and institutions contributing to societal development.
She said the station’s decision to recognise her with the “Amazon of the Niger Delta” award had inspired her to remain committed to leadership through service and measurable impact.
Lady Obareki also commended the station for recognising Governor Umo Eno as “Most Performing Governor in Nigeria 2026”, describing the award as recognition of his administration’s development efforts under the ARISE Agenda.
Receiving the award on behalf of the governor, his Chief Press Secretary, Ekerete Udoh, thanked Premium 89.9FM for the recognition, saying it would encourage the governor to do more in the service of Akwa Ibom residents.
Mr Udoh reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to continued partnership with the media, describing radio as an important platform for informing and engaging citizens.
Lady Obareki further congratulated the second cohort of trainees inducted into the Premium Digital Academy, describing the initiative as an example of corporate social responsibility aimed at equipping young people with skills for a technology-driven economy.
She said the Office of the First Lady, through the Patience Umo Eno Golden Initiative for All (GIFA), was also investing in human-capital development through the GIFA-Tech Women Initiative.
According to her, 250 women in the first cohort are undergoing training in digital skills, including 2D and 3D animation, executive assistance and entrepreneurship.
Lady Obareki said combining sustainable governance with digital and economic empowerment would help create a generation equipped to contribute meaningfully to the state’s development.
The Managing Director of Premium 89.9FM, Maureen Umanah, said the station established the Digital Academy to equip young people with relevant skills, adding that responsible journalism and governance were important to societal development.
The Chairman of the occasion and Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Frank Archibong, said awards provided an opportunity to acknowledge achievements and encourage greater commitment to public service.
In his lecture, the Vice Chancellor of Akwa Ibom State University, Prof. OtoAbasi Akpan, said sustained implementation of the ARISE Agenda could help transform Akwa Ibom from a predominantly civil service-oriented economy into a more industrialised one.
Prof. Akpan identified infrastructure, tourism, social housing, agriculture, healthcare and education as areas where sustainability could be integrated into development planning.
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.
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