– Pst. Solomon Essiet
Behold, it was an exciting week, and we give God thanks for the great things that the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, has been able to achieve for the benefit of Akwa Ibom people over the last one week.
The Governor’s first public appearance after his arrival from his trip to the United States of America for AKISAN convention was on 18th August, 2024, at All Nations Christian Ministry Int’l, Eket LGA, Akwa Ibom State, where he shared his recent engagement with the Airbus team in Maastricht, Netherlands, and broke the news of the arrival of a new Airbus A220-300 aircraft for IbomAir, to be delivered on Tuesday, 20th August, 2024, at the Victor Attah International Airport. Stating that the Aircraft marks the second of ten aircraft ordered for IbomAir, the State-owned airline, since his assumption of office. The aircraft is expected to enhance air travel connectivity, comfort, and boost economic growth of Akwa Ibom State.
The news of the delivery of the new Aircraft was like a soothing balm to Akwa Ibomites, both old and young. As the news reverberates through the leaps and bounds of Akwa Ibom State with so much joy, acceptability, and acknowledgement; even as Governor Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, the performing Governor of Akwa Ibom State, stands tall as a beacon of hope for the people of Akwa Ibom State.
Also, the Governor announced the 2024 Chief of Army Staff Conference billed to take place in Uyo, on Tuesday, 20th August, 2024, allaying fears ahead of the Chief of Army Staff Conference in Akwa Ibom and reassuring citizens that the increased military presence should not be a cause for concern. The conference is a significant event in the military calendar, and the choice of hosting it in Akwa Ibom is a testament to the fact that Akwa Ibom State is now a center of attraction and competing favourably amongst the committee of States in the Nigerian Federation.
Don’t ask me what they discussed at the Chief of Army Conference. I only knew there would be such a meeting; I did not know the venue of the meeting or attend the meeting. It was supposed to be a strategic meeting, of which the subject matter tabled for discussion cannot be disclosed to the public. That is the Army for you.
Being humane and full of empathy, the Governor, during the gathering, announced that his administration, through the Bulk Purchase Agency, will distribute truckloads of food items to the needy citizens, tackling the recent price hike by retailers. He emphasized that the distribution will be based on the updated social register, without political bias, cautioning against “winner takes all” tendencies.
Monday, 19th August, 2024, Governor Umo Eno joined Hon. Frank Archibong on the occasion of his 49th Birthday. In a message of felicitation released by his Chief Press Secretary, Ekerete Udoh, Governor Eno enjoined Hon. Archibong to continue to hold dear the ideals of “humility, service, and faith in God”.
True to his words, being a promise keeper, the Governor, his exco, and party faithfuls gathered at Victor Attah International Airport in an air of excitement on Tuesday, 20th August, 2024, to receive the brand new Airbus A220-300 delivered to IbomAir. It was an exciting moment, as the Governor speaks glowingly at the ceremony, eulogizing the management of the airline led by Captain Mfon Udom, the Managing Director of IbomAir, Pastor Imo-Abasi Jacob, the board Chairman, including the entire management team for their commitment in taking the airline to greater heights. He thanked the management of Fidelity and Union Bank for working together to support the activities of the airline, making it possible for the dream of adding a new Aircraft to IbomAir’s fleet realizable.
Speaking further, the Governor said that IbomAir has given Akwa Ibom State the identity we never had. Indeed, IbomAir is the pride of Akwa Ibomites. The Airline has given Akwa Ibom State very serious recognition, owing to its successful operation in the last five years.
The Governor, being a lover of creativity, joined his personal photographer, Miss Idara Idiakpan, on the maiden edition of the Visual Conference (TVC), in Uyo on Tuesday, 20th August, 2024. TVC is an Initiative to mark the 2024 World Photography Day and aimed at enhancing the capacity of upcoming and thriving photographers. In his speech, the Governor reiterated his commitment to promoting creativity among the Youths.
In a swift move, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, the Governor of Akwa Ibom, joined his counterpart, Prince Dapo Abiodun, the Governor of Ogun State, to bid farewell to late Rev. Fola Achudume, wife of the founder of Victory Life Bible Church (VLBC), on Thursday, 22nd August, 2024. At the burial event, Governor Umo Eno praised late Rev. Fola Achudume for being an “Amazon” whose devotion and service to mankind have uplifted countless women and youths.
On Friday, 23rd August, 2024, the Governor, during his inspection visit to ARISE Park, located along Brook Street in Uyo, in his compassionate character, offered automatic employment to Mr. Mkpouto-Abasi Ime Umossoh, a first-class graduate of Nautical Science from the Academy of Maritime Education and Training (AMET) Kanathur, Chennai, India. This is the hallmark of the Governor’s belief in excellence and reward for hard work and resilience in the spirit of Arise Agenda, the blueprint of the golden era administration. Umossoh, who hails from Essien Udim LGA, also holds a National Diploma from Maritime Academy of Nigeria, MAN, Oron.
The Governor, who took a walk round the ARISE Park, was satisfied with the pace of work and ingenuity of transforming the life-threatening gully erosion site to what would certainly be a wealth-generating tourism site upon completion. In the words of Mr. Anietie Usen, a best-selling prolific writer of the Village Boy, the Audacity of Journalism, and the most recent book “And It Came to Pass”, a book written to mark Governor Umo Eno’s one year in office, he described the ARISE Park as being transformed from a Raven to Paradise by Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State.
The Governor also felicitated Trenchard Ibia on Retirement, Professorial Chair in Soil Science. Speaking at the institution of a Professorial Chair in Soil Science in honour of Professor Trenchard Ibia, who recently retired from service, by the department of Soil Science and Land Resources Management, University of Uyo, Governor Eno congratulated him on the honour done to him by the Department, describing it as well-deserved.
In the coming week, we will endeavour to bring you more exciting activities of Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State. This is you and your Governor, the man prominently prepared to lead the people of Akwa Ibom State to the promised land.
Pst. Solomon Essiet (ACIA)
Special Assistant on New Media to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State.
25/08/24
