The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transforming the state’s agricultural and tourism sectors.
He unveiled strategic plans to launch the Tree Crop Revolution in November 2025, alongside renewed efforts to strengthen tourism infrastructure and attract more investment across the state.
An inspection of the Akwa Ibom State Agricultural Development Programme (AKADEP) premises in Uyo, the Governor announced that the agency, previously under the Ministry of Agriculture, would henceforth operate as a stand-alone entity under the supervision of the Office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG).
He also directed the immediate overhaul and remodelling of the agency’s infrastructure in preparation for the agricultural transformation initiative.
Governor Eno explained that “the Tree Crop Revolution, first announced earlier this year, would be coordinated by the Akwa Ibom State Agriculture and Food Security Committee, chaired by Professor Okon Ansa, a former Commissioner for Agriculture, with Professor Trenchard Ibia, also a former Commissioner, serving as a member.”
The Governor said the programme aims to expand palm oil production using high-yield varieties and, in the process, “help create generational wealth for the people of Akwa Ibom State, especially those in the rural communities and ultimately return us as a premier palm oil producing state in the nation.”
Under the initiative, the Committee will operate from the AKADEP premises and collaborate with the Office of the SSG to ensure a seamless rollout across the state’s 10 federal constituencies.
The facility will serve as a nursery for palm seedlings to be distributed to farmers, while the Committee will also off-take harvested produce to ensure sustainability and market support.
Governor Eno directed that at least two agricultural extension workers be attached to each farm to ensure continuous monitoring, improved yield, and farmer support.
He emphasised that the project forms a key pillar of the ARISE Agenda, which prioritises food security, job creation, and rural prosperity.
Turning to tourism, the Governor reiterated his administration’s determination to position Akwa Ibom as “the tourism hub of the nation”, while expanding the state’s revenue base through modern leisure and retail infrastructure.
During an inspection of the Arise City Shopping Centre within the Tropicana Complex in Uyo, Governor Eno said “the facility was designed to attract both local and international visitors as well as high-end shoppers.”
“When you have an international convention centre, a 200-bed hotel, and other facilities that will attract people to come here, you need a shopping city where you host international brands,” he said.
The Governor noted that the Arise Shopping City would give residents and visitors access to top international brands without the need for costly trips abroad.
“You know we Nigerians like to shop a lot. So instead of going to all those places where tickets are now expensive, you can simply come here and get those same quality name brands. You can do a vacation here. Our roads are the best in the country, and our people are peaceful,” he explained.
Governor Eno expressed appreciation to past administrations for laying the foundation for the state’s tourism development, pledging to ensure full utilisation of all public investments in the sector.
“We are blessed by God, and we are blessed to have had the previous administrations who laid this foundation. State funds have been sunk into this project, and we cannot abandon it,” he said.
The Governor disclosed that encroachments had been detected on parts of the Tropicana property and announced that all titles inconsistent with the original master plan had been revoked.
“We have all the infrastructure to become the best tourism destination in our country,” he affirmed.
The Governor added that his administration is reviving tourism assets across the state.
He said; “All around the State, whether it is here in Uyo, Ikot Abasi, Oron, Itu, everywhere, we are reviving our tourism assets whether in culture or aviation and we have put them together in our tourism master plan.”
Governor Eno urged youths to remain law-abiding and avoid being used to disrupt public order.
“I want our youths to embrace peace and desist from being used by any person to breach the peace in the State. I will not allow anyone, no matter how highly placed, to disrupt the peace and harmony of our State,” he warned.
Governor Eno confirmed that the groundbreaking ceremony for the Arise City Shopping Centre would be held soon, while preparations for the Tree Crop Revolution continue ahead of its official launch in November.
The initiatives underscore the Eno administration’s commitment to driving inclusive growth through agriculture, tourism, and rural enterprise, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for economic diversification and sustainable development.