The Akwa Ibom State Government says it would not relent its effort in ensuring an even development of the state by ensuring that youths contribute meaningfully to the development of the State.
The Governor of the State, Pastor Umo Eno stated this at the 2Africa Sub-marine Cable Landing – a high speed broadband infrastructure by Main One Equinix Company, at Qua Iboe Beach, behind ExxonMobil Qua Iboe Terminal, Ibeno.
Eno, who celebrated the coming of the proposed project in the state, said government will provide the right of way, as the cable makes its way through Akwa Ibom to the South South and South East.
Eno said the ICT sector was of special interest to the state, as technology was critical to the attainment of the core pillars of the ARISE Agenda which, he noted, is the economic blueprint of his administration.
The governor said government was poised to deploy ICT to all the pillars, ranging from agriculture to rural development, infrastructure and security, adding that government was building a very robust security architecture in the state that would be launched soon to track all kidnappers and criminals wherever they may be.
Eno, who noted the importance of the projects for Akwa Ibom youths, said the event marked a expansion of the cable landing to a coastal state in Nigeria, outside Lagos, and that the project is not a mean feat.
The state chief executive officer, while celebrating the great effort that engraved Akwa Ibom on the map of ICT innovation and economic and technological benefit, was optimistic that Akwa Ibom youths would be ready to go to work, as they can earn money from their living rooms. The general counsel and regional business head, MainOneEquinix Company, Abayomi Adebanjo, said the deployment of the state of-the-art infrastructure paves the way for the advancement of critical sectors of the economic through the proliferation of 4G, 5G and fixed broadband accessibility. Abayomi said by providing robust connectivity and technological advancements, the ICT company empowers businesses, educational institutions, healthcare facilities and countless other sectors to not only thrive in the digital age but also achieve their potentials.
He said the establishment of the submarine cable ensures cable diversity and resilience for Nigeria, aligning perfectly with the key success parameters outlined in the National Broadband Plan, even as the strategic initiative enhances the nations digital infrastructure resilience, safeguarding against potential disruptions and ensuring uninterrupted connectivity for all Nigerian citizens.

Christopher Tom,
Uyo