60th Birthday:
GOV ENO TAKES OVER A MINISTRY
By Imoh Etimudo
In what looks like a birthday shocker, Governor Umo Eno has fully taken over the ministry of…in Akwa Ibom State. Hence, tongues have begun to wag. But is he the first leader to do that? Different administrations at the federal level had the president reserve certain ministries for themselves. So, the birthday boy, Governor Umo Eno has not committed any sacrilege.
Except that Governor Eno is a former commissioner in the Ministry of Lands, people would have expected him to show more interest in that particular ministry but he prefers to go for the one he sees as being juicy. The prayer is that this decision of the governor does not create conflict among those occupying other ministries.
Could it be that the governor wants results? But some other ministries are giving him results rather than excuses. This fuels fears among others as nobody knows which ministry will be the next in line, like Nigerian churches would say, for “a miracle.”
Ministries are doing well. Kudos to the commissioners. The harmonious relationship existing among the different ethnic divides in Akwa Ibom State, especially the traditional institution, is a confirmation that Mr Frank Archibong is doing extremely well. The investigation also shows that the current leadership across local government areas in the State are performing well. That means the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs is delivering, and it shows.
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has been the fulcrum of the administration, where agriculture and food sufficiency are placed on the front burner. Dr Offiong Offor is excellently interpreting the vision of the governor in agriculture, with the target of achieving the full value chain of agriculture and making it attractive and lucrative. That ministry is doing exceedingly well.
The Ministry of Works and Fire Service is functioning optimally. About 80 road projects are on the ground, either already completed or ongoing, some of which were inherited from the immediate past administration. Professor Eno Ibanga, working with renowned construction firms like Hensek and others, is noiselessly doing great things there. Compensations are paid where necessary, following due process, and utmost civility.
The Ministry of Information is topnotch in information management of the State, with Comrade Ini Ememobong becoming synonymous with image making, which has put Akwa Ibom State on the totem pole of greatness.
Today, Akwa Ibom State is on the global map of tourism because of the commitment of Sir Charles Udoh, who has gone the extra mile with first-class innovation and creativity to point a global arrow to Akwa Ibom State in the world of culture and tourism. Thus, these ministries are delivering, including the ones not mentioned here. But Governor Eno still has an interest in the special ministry.
Through whichever ministry or agency of government, Governor Eno has done enormous things for his people. He has released about 20 billion Naira for the payment of gratuities to retirees. He is building houses for widows and their children. He has distributed food to the vulnerable. In fact, he can be accused of making vulnerability attractive because of the benefits therein.
But his policies have good packages for all, rich or poor. Except that he is working to bridge the gap between extremes of gaudy wealth and crushing poverty. He frowns at poverty and is dismantling the strongholds of poverty for succulent seedlings of prosperity to sprout. He is a Strong Advocate of the Needy, “SAN”. He is raising the flagpole of hope for his people.
Some people may look at his magic-like conversion of a dangerous gully erosion site to a tourist centre as his preferred ministry but it is not true.
The governor has a good working relationship with everyone irrespective of political party platforms. That is why he is supporting President Bola Tinubu to succeed and has a fantastic relationship with the president; that is why he gives due respect to Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and is relaxing well with Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas), Obongemem Ekperikpe Ekpo as well as other chieftains and supporters of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and other political parties in that matter.
In Akwa Ibom State, Governor Umo Eno has put many in awe, dumbfounding them with his unprecedented style of leadership, called inclusivity where everyone is carried along in the Akwa Ibom project, as he believes the State belongs to all.
Repeatedly, he has invited hitherto opponents in the Governorship election which he won massively, to join him in building the State, noting that governorship might be for one person but governance is for all.
Another expression of this policy of inclusivity was when the governor hosted past and present national assembly members from Akwa Ibom State, from all political divides. To him, knowledge does not reside in one political party.
And those who thought it would be easier for the camel to pass through the eye of the needle than for Governor Umo Eno to forgive those who abused him in the name of politics may end up breaking the needle by themselves. Governor Eno forgives with excitement, no matter the magnitude of the offence. Such a golden heart!
He is intentional about building peace in Akwa Ibom State. He has poured oil over troubled waters. He has built bridges of unity with the pillars of love and compassion. He is bridging divides. The bridges do not terminate in Akwa Ibom State. Not with the appointment of non-indigenes of the State as aides of the governor! He is a complete Nigerian and a patriotic one at that!
Then his compassion is indescribable. Whatever his people pass through, he goes through that with them. He is a governor of the people, working for the people, and available for the people all around the clock.
The skin and complexion of his government are compassion and empathy. These are the building blocks of the goodwill of the people. Of course, every government with the goodwill of the people.
All of this is reminiscent of what the governor said before his election, that he will be in charge of the Ministry of Reconciliation. Of the truth, Governor Umo Eno has been able to reconcile Akwa Ibom, and make everyone to be on the same page despite political party differences and other areas of diversification!
Thus, Governor Umo Eno’s ministry is the Ministry of Reconciliation and Compassion, and not any other ministry one would have erroneously conjured in the mind.
Hence, this birthday is a celebration of a leading light, rallying point and leader of the pack, who is doing great things for his people!
This is 60 years of impact and distinction. If the culture of burning candles still suffices, Governor Umo Eno’s birthday candle should burn from both ends! He is firing reconciliation and compassion from all cylinders! Again, as Nigerian churches will say, the “ministry” is moving to the permanent site!
May he who holds tomorrow hold him for Akwa Ibom State.
Happy birthday, worthy leader!
Imoh Etimudo writes from Itu Mbonuso in Ini Local Government Area
