A group,Arise With Renewed Hope Initiative has approved a strategic partnership  with Akwa Ibom journalists based in Abuja to strengthen media engagement and promote the achievements of the State Governor Umo Eno and Senate President Godswill Akpabio ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Chairman/Coordinator,Tommy Etim Okon made the assertion while receiving members of the Akwa Ibom Journalists Forum, FCT Chapter led by the Chairman, Dominic Edem, at the State Liaison Office in Abuja.

Okon described the media as a critical partner in shaping public opinions and mobilising support for good governance, calling on the journalists to professionally highlight the policies, programmes and achievements of Governor Umo Eno and Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

According to him, Governor Umo Eno’s performance, specifically deserves wider publicity to sustain public confidence and build momentum ahead of the next elections, as well as aimed at sensitising the indigenes of the state on the government’s development agenda.

He therefore hinted that the Arise With Renewed Hope Initiative has relocated to its new office in Abuja earlier this year and has since intensified mobilisation across the 31 local government areas of Akwa Ibom State, as well as Rivers, Cross River and Lagos states.

“The Governor Umo Eno administration remains committed to implementing the ARISE Agenda, which he described as a comprehensive development blueprint centred on agriculture, rural development, infrastructure, security, education and youth empowerment.”

Spotlighting recent government interventions, he commended Umo Eno for increasing bursary payments to students, improving welfare packages for National Youth Service Corps members and unveiling a comprehensive flood and drainage management blueprint to address recurring flooding in the state.

While acknowledging the destruction caused by floods Akwa Ibom, Okon maintained, although natural disasters cannot be completely prevented, governments have a responsibility to minimise their impact through proactive planning and sustainable infrastructure development.

On the Senate President, the Coordinator said that experience remains invaluable in governance, adding that Akpabio has demonstrated effective leadership by maintaining a strong working relationship with President Tinubu in advancing national development.

Similarly , he said the ARISE Agenda complements President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, describing the relationship between the Akwa Ibom State  and the Federal Government as a productive partnership already delivering tangible dividends to the people.

He however challenged journalists to embrace investigative, balanced and objective reporting by verifying facts and presenting government activities fairly rather than relying solely on social media narratives, stressing that credible journalism remains essential to an informed society.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Akwa Ibom Journalists Forum, Abuja, Edem, thanked Okon for receiving the delegation, saying that  the visit has  offered them an opportunity to establish a lasting partnership with the Arise With Renewed Hope Initiative.

He appealed for support in key areas like the provision of office accommodation for the Forum, stronger institutional synergy and partnership, opportunities for journalists to consistently promote other Akwa Ibom-related developments, and  to give them a sense of belonging comparable to their counterparts in the State.