By Osondu Ahirika
On February 20, 2022, I published a piece titled, Pastor Umo Eno Goes to School.
It was a full chest 】 to pooh-pooh those who were trading on the blackmail that the then Governorship candidate of the PDP forged his West African Examination Certificate, WAEC, results.
In compliance with the spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation already established by Governor Umo Eno, I will not reopen healed wounds.
But let me give a summary of questions that arose to feed that insinuation of forgery.
The questions then were:
1. Does Umoh Enoh have the requisite credentials for the Office of Governor?
2. Did Umoh Enoh attend any Secondary School?
3. When did he take the WASCE and does he have the West African School Certificate?
Then they proceeded to allege, his admission to the University of Uyo was fraudulently procured.
It was even said he was at some point rusticated from the University.
The lies and mudslinging had travelled the whole world while the truth was yet trying to strap its boots.
I recall, Dr Uwemedimo Umanah of blessed memory put up an abridged profile to douse the flame of lies against Pastor Eno.
Dr Umanah wrote:
“Umo Eno is an entrepreneur, administrator and a minister of the Gospel. An accomplished hospitality professional and fellow of the Nigerian Catering and Hotel Institute (FNCHI), He got his FSLC from Local Authority School Ikeja, from 1970 to 1975, thereafter proceeded to St. Francis Secondary School, Eket, Akwa Ibom State and Victory High School, Ikeja, Lagos State between (1975 – 1981) where he bagged School Certificate (O’ Level) and didn’t end there. He always had a push for education and success. He proceeded to the University of Uyo, Uyo Akwa Ibom State and bagged a degree in Bachelor of Science, Political Science & Public Administration (1998 – 2002). He went further to bag a Master of Science degree in Political Science & Public Administration (2006 -2008). He is an alumnus of Pan African University’s Lagos Business School (LBS), and has over 35 years working experience in the private sector, spanning banking, marketing, management and hospitality.”
Despite that intervention and many others from Witnesses of truth,
The mob bayed for blood. Nothing, not even the glaring truth would appease them.
When the tar brushing persisted, Pastor Umo Eno vowed to drop the Bible and his pastoral calling if he was indicted of Certificate forgery.
His accusers dragged him to the Court.
Case after Court case, Pastor Umo Eno was vindicated
On November 11, 2022, a Federal High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, dismissed the case of certificate forgery brought against him.
25th November 2023, The Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos has upheld the judgement of the tribunal affirming Umo Eno as Governor of Akwa Ibom.
Impliedly, the Certificate forgery case instituted against him by his opponents in the March 2023 polls was again dismissed.
The Supreme Court on January 11, 2024 buried three separate appeals brought before it by some Governorship candidates against Pastor Umo Eno.
They were seeking nullification of his election on the same account of alleged certificate forgery.
That was the end.
Frustrated, some cynics said he was a school drop out and money saved him in the Courts.
I laughed.
Today, Pastor Umo Eno is vindicated.
Tuesday, October 15, Pastor Umo Eno defended his Doctoral Thesis.
Completing a mandatory requirement for the award of a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Political Science from the University of Uyo.
Here’s an excerpt of the news from the Government House Press Unit.
“Governor Eno defended his thesis virtually before a panel comprising the University’s Vice Chancellor represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor(Academics), Prof. (Sis) Anthonia Essien, and superintended by the External Examiner, Prof. O. O. Okereke, a Professor of Public Administration and Public Analysis, from the Abia State University.
In his thesis, “Government and Private Sector Development: A Study of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises in Akwa Ibom State”, Governor Eno said the work is to serve as a blueprint towards the innovations his administration is deploying in the development of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises in the State.
At the end of the exercise, Prof. Okereke announced, “With the authority of the University of which I am the External Examiner, I want to say that you are now Pastor (Dr.) Umo Bassey Eno, congratulations!”
Also speaking, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, (Academic), Prof Essien said, “On behalf of the University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Nyaudo Ndaeyo, I congratulate you Pastor (Dr.) Umo Eno.”
It is soothing he dedicated this success to his beloved wife, Her Excellency, Pastor Patience Umo Eno, peace on her ashes.
She fought side by side with him through it all.
All the Doubting Thomas’s should be satisfied now.
This acclamation by the Faculty is akin to the demand for physical proof of touching the wound of Jesus Christ by Thomas.
To affirm he isn’t a ghost but indeed a resurrected, living being.
No more arguments over the academic achievements of Pastor Umo Eno.
Congratulations Your Excellency! Pastor Umo Eno PhD
One more thing.
This Doctorate Degree is not obtained from Togo, Benin Republic, or Toronto University.
Case Closed.
WHERE DEM DEY?
