UYO – In a bold move to tackle unemployment among the youth in Akwa Ibom State, Governor Umo Eno has officially launched the Arise Youth Employment Portal, a digital platform designed to provide job opportunities across various sectors.
Speaking at the portal launch at the Ibom Icon Hotels and Golf Resort, Uyo on Monday, Governor Eno reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth empowerment and poverty reduction, aligning the initiative with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“One of the major themes I campaigned on was the urgency in providing gainful employment for our teeming youths,” the governor stated. He further emphasized that the launch of the portal is a direct fulfillment of the promise he made during the Youth Engagement Rally in September, where he had pledged to introduce an employment platform and other empowerment schemes.
The Governor explained that the Arise Youth Employment Portal will serve as a comprehensive, one-stop site for all employment-related activities in the state, with job opportunities segmented according to skill sets.
“With the launch of this Arise Youth Employment Portal, all employers of labor in the state, from the civil service to the private sector, are to utilize this portal for their employment opportunities.”
Governor Eno emphasized
He highlighted the diverse talents in Akwa Ibom State, noting that the portal will allow the state’s youth to showcase their wide range of skills, from artisanship to professional expertise. “Akwa Ibom State has some of the most talented youths with marketable skill sets in the nation—from artisans to ICT professionals, to chefs and highly skilled experts across sectors. I urge those in the private sector, especially those doing business with our state government, to utilize this portal,” he said.
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In addition to job postings, the governor announced that the platform will handle essential processes such as aptitude and skills tests, particularly for those seeking civil service positions. He stressed the role of technology in improving governance and employment processes: “From the Computer Aptitude and usage or application test, especially for prospective civil servants, everything will be done here.”
To ensure fairness in job distribution, Governor Eno also revealed plans to inaugurate a State Labour Committee that will oversee the employment process as well as monitor employment opportunities and ensure transparency and fairness in the process. He assured that the Akwa Ibom State Bureau of Statistics will soon be established to gather reliable data on job creation and other government interventions.
Speaking on upcoming job opportunities, the governor shared that several key roles in the state would be sourced through the portal, including nearly 200 Health/Safety Monitors and 3,000 positions for the newly established Ibom Community Watch.
Governor Eno also pointed out that the portal will serve as a central hub for various youth empowerment schemes. “The various empowerment schemes I had announced during the Youths Rally, such as the Youths Business Support, the Arise Entrepreneurial Support, and Bursary/Educational Grants, will also be handled or harvested from this portal,” he added, encouraging youths to visit the site regularly for updates.
He reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to skills development, noting that over 200 youths are currently receiving training at the Dakkada Skills Acquisition Centre (DASAC). “As we speak, over 200 of our youths are undertaking training in several skills that would make them employable or enable them to set up Small and Medium Scale Enterprises,” he said, pledging continued support through business support schemes.
While commending his team members for their efforts in developing the portal, Governor Eno dedicated the portal to the youth of Akwa Ibom, recognizing their patience and loyalty. He used the occasion to reiterate his administration’s resolve to create a sustainable future for the state’s youth.
Our correspondent reports that Arise Youth Employment Portal is designed to streamline the job application process for the youth in Akwa Ibom, while also promoting transparency and fairness in the recruitment process across both the public and private sectors.
