By Otobong Nsekpong
An umbrella political organisation for women in the state, ARISE Women, has been launched in Etinan local government area with the wife of the chairman, Mrs Emily Uko Umoh as the coordinator.
The inauguration ceremony took place Tuesday, 3rd February 2026 at the Hall of the Millennium, Council’s Secretariat, Etinan and was performed by the Honourable Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Inibehe Silas Etukudo.
Inaugurating the Etinan chapter, the Honourable Commissioner who was represented by the wife of the Chairman of Uyo Local Government Area, Mrs. Akaniyene Uwemedimo Udo said the ARISE Women platform is a platform to mobilize and organize women to speak with one voice in support of continuity, progress and the reelection of his Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno Ph.D, Senator Godswill Akpabio, President Bola Tinubu and all APC candidates in the 2027 general elections.
Mrs Udo commended the state governor, Pastor Umo Eno Ph.D, for his overwhelming support for women and his strong believe in our capacity to contribute meaningfully to governance.
“It is on record that under his leadership women’s participation in governance in Akwa Ibom has risen to 40%. It is a clear demonstration of inclusive governance and he deserves our loyalty, commitment and unwavering support. I therefore charge you the women of Etinan Local Government Area to reciprocate this confidence with total commitment to give overwhelming support to the ARISE agenda”
The Commissioner’s representative also commended the coordinator, office of the first Lady, Noble Lady Helen Eno Obareki for her consistent advocacy for women and the vulnerable across the state as well as the chairman of Etinan local government area, Hon Uko Umoh, for giving women opportunity in his administration.
To the newly inaugurated coordinator for Etinan,Mrs Emily Uko Umoh, the commissioner charged her to lead with support, mobilize with passion and deliver result. “Work with Ward coordinators and female stakeholders to ensure women in every ward and village are organized, energized and ready for victory in 2027. It is an established fact that women remain the backbone of every successful political movement” she added.
“As Akwa Ibom state aligns with the All Progressives Congress, a party symbolized by the broom representing unity and togetherness , I call on every woman here to remain united, stay politically active and stand up in support of our shared vision. Together, we shall arise, build and win” she concluded.
Responding, the coordinator of ARISE Women in Etinan, Mrs Emily Uko Umoh, thanked the governor for finding her worthy to champion the noble course of coordinating Etinan women.
She also commended the Coordinator office of the First Lady, Noble Lady Helen Eno Obareki for giving women a voice through her pet project, GIFA and assured the Honourable Commissioner that Etinan women are in full support of the reelection of President Tinubu, Governor Umo Eno and all candidates of APC in 2027.
Earlier in a welcome remark, the chairman of Etinan local government area, Hon Uko Umoh, had welcome the Honourable Commissioner with the assurance that Etinan women will queue behind all candidates of APC in the next circle of elections.
He charged the women to mobilize their children and relatives who have reached 18 years and above to register in the ongoing Continous Voter’s Registration Exercise in order to vote for the governor and the APC during elections.
“One way we can show our Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, that we love him is when our voting strength at our polling units increase as a result of the number of people we mobilized to register for their permanent voter’s card. We must remember that, without our voter’s card, our support for the good programmes and policies of the state government will translate to nothing”
Goodwill messages were received from Mrs Mfon Kenneth Okon, Mrs Ekaete Collins and APC woman leader in Etinan, Mrs Kufre Isong.
In a vote of thanks, the Vice Chairman of Etinan Council, Hon Imaobong Michael, reminded the women that having aligned with APC, broom was the symbol of the party.
The inauguration was well attended by female stakeholders and women from the 12 political wards while the Honourable Commissioner’s entourage was made up of wives of chairmen from Itu, Okobo, Uruan, Essien Udim, Oruk Anam, Urueoffong Oruku, Etinan Ekpo, Mkpat Enin and Ikot Abasi local government areas.
The inauguration also featured welcome song by the women of Etinan local government area
