A’Ibom to strengthen creative industry with N100m fund

Etim Ekpimah

The Akwa Ibom State government is optimistic that its creative industry would be strengthened and talent developed with the deployment of N100 million fund.

The Commissioners for Information, Mr Aniekan Umanah, said in Uyo on Tuesday during a press conference that the fund would enhance talent development, drive capacity building, and expand opportunities for the entertainment and film sector.

According to him, the aim is to position Akwa Ibom State as one of the creative hubs in Nigeria.

“As part of this focus, His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, announced the creation of a ₦100 million Creative Industry Fund, designed to bolster capacity building, empower practitioners, and provide the needed support to expand opportunities in film, entertainment, and allied sectors,” he said.

Umanah listed other engagement of Eno to Include reception of newly graduated Ibom Air Cadet Pilots and Aircraft Engineers trained in France and Ethiopia; inspection of ongoing renovation at the Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort; and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Rural Electrification Agency in Abuja.

He noted that the governor also hosted the deputy British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Johnny Baxter, and his delegation; hosted the Ibom Sports Festival—held for the first time in 14 years; and participated in the ARISE City Walk with 10,000 entertainers and youths.

He said, “Of special note was the hosting of the Directors Guild of Nigeria and the Ibom Entertainers Week, an engagement that underscores the administration’s commitment to the development and encouragement of the creative industry.

“As part of this focus, His Excellency announced the creation of a ₦100 million Creative Industry Fund, designed to bolster capacity building, empower practitioners, and provide the needed support to expand opportunities in film, entertainment, and allied sectors.

“Other engagements included attending the inter-denominational service of the Judiciary to mark the 2025/2026 Legal Year, to re-enforce his administration’s commitment partnering the various arms of government; launch of the Akwa Ibom State Security Trust Fund, where the ambition to deepen the State’s acclaim as one of Nigeria’s safest was headlined; and inauguration of the 4th batch of the Entrepreneur Accelerator Programme of Ibom LED, in furtherance of his commitment to grow an expansive army of entrepreneurs in the state.

“The governor equally hosted delegates to the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, alongside Archbishop Nyong Eyakndue, National President of Mount Zion Lighthouse, which showcased the government’s reverence for institutions and leadership; convened the Akwa Ibom State Electricity Summit at Four Points by Sheraton, Ikot Ekpene, as part of the grand plan to end energy poverty and shore-up productivity; and supervised the distribution of ARISE food packages across all 31 local government areas of the State, to a flatten the curve of extreme hunger and give the vulnerable demographic a sense of belonging.”

Umanah added that energising the Akwa Ibom partnership with the centre for the overall benefit of development and integration, Governor Eno, in collaboration with the FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike commissioned 17.33 km of roads in Ika Local Government Area and presented brand-new vehicles to all former Deputy Governors of the state.

He said, in tourism, ecological remediation of 70 hectares of gullies and construction of the ARISE Resort are underway, alongside works at the 5,000-capacity Ibom International Convention Centre and Hotel and the ARISE Shopping City.

Umanah added that, through training and empowerment, more than 10,000 youths and SMEs have benefited, and the administration is constructing a 2,000-capacity Amphitheatre to host the Annual Christmas Unplugged Event.

Umana noted that in roads and bridges, over 771 kilometres of roads are at various stages of construction, and 31 bridges have been completed.

He stated that the aviation sector continues to soar with the acquisition of four new aircraft for Ibom Air, construction of the Aviation Village, and completion of the new Terminal Building and Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility at the Victor Attah International Airport.

In security, the establishment of the Ministry of Internal Security and Waterways, recruitment of 4,500 community watch personnel, provision of gunboats and patrol vehicles, and creation of a Security and Command Centre have strengthened the State’s safety architecture.

“Social welfare interventions have supported over 500,000 vulnerable households. Workers’ welfare has equally been prioritised, with more than ₦78 billion paid in pensions and gratuities, ₦1.2 billion released as wardrobe allowance for teachers, the ₦80,000 minimum wage implemented, a 13th Month Salary introduced, and 4,000 new workers to be recruited into the State employ. In education, the free education policy has been sustained, bursaries and trust funds extended to students with disabilities, examination fees paid, and subventions to schools released.

“The housing sector has delivered 267 units of Compassionate Homes, initiated the Ewet Luxury Gardens, commenced construction of 150 free houses for public servants, and developed the Judiciary Village. In maritime and infrastructure, the Oron Maritime Infrastructure Development has taken shape with new jetties, parks, cold rooms and shore protection, the acquisition of two passenger ferries, and steady advancement of the Ibom Deep Sea Port.

“In agriculture, the State has established the Ibom Model Farm, rolled out the Arise Home Farms Scheme and the Back-to-Farm Initiative, while distributing inputs to farmers. In healthcare, there are now functional health centres across all LGAs, a State Health Insurance Scheme, a 350-bed International Hospital under development, an Emergency Ambulance Service, a Medical Oxygen Production Plant, and an expanded workforce of medical personnel.

“The power sector has witnessed the hosting of the maiden Electricity Summit, the signing of an MoU with the Rural Electrification Agency, the unveiling of the Akwa Ibom State Electricity Policy, and the signing of the Electricity Law. In youth development, monthly ₦50,000 unemployment benefits and grants are being provided to 5,000 youths, with ₦750 million disbursed in the first tranche to 15,000 youths.

“The ARISE Youth Employment Portal is live, the ARISE Youth Skills Week has been held, and entrepreneurship programmes through Ibom-LED have empowered hundreds more. In tandem, the ₦100 million Creative Industry Fund is stimulating innovation and entrepreneurship among young people, while opening up new opportunities in the film, music, and entertainment sectors.

“In investment promotion, work has commenced on the Ibom Tower Project in Lagos, with plans for a four-star Ibom Hotel in Abuja. In transportation, 50 units of CNG city buses have been procured, with ultra-modern terminals and bus stations under construction across the State.

“On e-governance, the administration has deployed automated payroll, procurement, recruitment, and e-payment platforms, and introduced the ARISE Youth Digital Skills and Youth Hub project. Human capital development has been strengthened through the training of over 5,000 people via DASAC and about 1,700 through Ibom-LED.

“In sports, the Ibom Sports Festival was successfully staged for the first time in 14 years, inter-house sports and the Governor’s Cup have been revived, and a Sports Academy is being developed,” he said.