By Aniekan Umanah
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Beneath the golden skies of Uyo, where the breeze whispers promises of safety, a fortress is being born. Not just a combination of stone, and of steel, but of vigilance, innovation, and unwavering resolve to keep the State safe. On Saturday, February 1, 2025, Governor Pastor Umo Eno stood upon the once-ravaged earth of Brooks Street, now reclaimed from the jaws of erosion, and with a determined gaze, he broke the ground for what will become the heartbeat of Akwa Ibom’s security architecture, the Akwa Ibom Security Command Centre (AKSCC).
With this bold stroke, the governor declared an end to fear, vowing that criminals will find no hiding place in Akwa Ibom. “This center,” he announced, “will make our state unwelcoming to crime, a place where safety is not a privilege but a guarantee.”
The Command Centre is not just another building; it is a war room against chaos, a sentinel of peace, and a watchtower over the land and sea. It will integrate real-time surveillance, emergency response coordination, cybersecurity, and intelligence gathering, which a one-stop hub where information meets action. The center will monitor every corner of the state, including its vast 129-kilometer coastline, ensuring that from the bustling streets of Uyo to the quiet creeks of Oron, security is swift, sure, and seamless.
In a moment tinged with emotion, Governor Eno paid tribute to the late CP Waheed Ayilara, the visionary who walked beside him through the command centers of Nigeria, planting the seeds for what is now taking shape in Akwa Ibom. “His hands laid the foundation, and today, we build upon his dream,” the governor said solemnly.
Yet, this groundbreaking was more than a single triumph, it was the opening act in a symphony of projects. The governor promised to return soon to the same location for the launch of three more landmark projects such as the AKBC Broadcasting House, the AKICORP Headquarters, and the Akwa Ibom Geographical Information System (AKWAGIS) Centre. These are part of 31 key projects set to take off before May 29, 2025, a testament to an administration that builds not only promises but legacies.
The day’s echoes of progress resonated beyond infrastructure. The Chairman of Uyo LGA and ALGON leader, Dr. Uwemedimoh Udoh, pledged that all local government chairmen would voluntarily contribute to the Security Trust Fund, ensuring that security is not just the government’s duty, but the people’s investment in their own peace.
At the heart of the gathering stood DIG Yemi Ademulisi, the Honorary Special Adviser on Security, who painted a vivid picture of the Command Centre’s role in the state’s security framework. “It will be the nerve center,” he declared, “a place where every cry for help is heard, where every threat is met with swift justice.” The facility will link to hospital ambulance services, ensuring not only security but rapid medical intervention in emergencies.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, echoed this sentiment, lauding the initiative as a game-changer in the fight against crime. “With this center, we will no longer chase shadows, we will command security with precision and power,” he assured.
Traditional rulers, too, lent their voices to the chorus of support. Edidem Sylvester Okon, Paramount Ruler of Uyo, raised his hands in blessing, proclaiming, “Your Excellency, you have given our people peace, and for that, we will forever stand by you.”
Among the dignitaries, one man carried the weight of execution on his shoulders, Engr. Uwem Etuk, Managing Director of Alvard & Moore, the contracting firm entrusted with bringing this vision to life. With confidence, he assured the governor and the people of Akwa Ibom: “This fortress will rise in four months. The deadline is set, and we will deliver.”
And so, as the sun dipped beyond the skyline, casting golden hues upon the maroon-clad governor, his designer shirt, soft jean, and shoes to match with a swiss timer on his left wrist as well as an ARISE branded face cap, a perfect symbol of purpose and poise, Akwa Ibom again stood at the threshold of a new dawn.
This is not just the birth of a building. This is a declaration, a defiance against fear, a fortress for peace and security.
The Akwa Ibom Security Command Centre is more than steel and circuits; it is the promise of safety, the guardian of dreams, the silent watcher in the night.
And to those who lurk in the shadows, the message is clear: there is no hiding place.
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Aniekan Umanah is a former Member of The House of Representatives and writes from Abak, Akwa Ibom Stafe
