You and Your Governor
Featuring: Arise Park and Christmas unplug 2.0
By: Solomon Essiet
The last one week has seen the Governor, being fully in charge of the State’s affairs, as his proactive leadership style halted the planned strike by the NLC, Akwa Ibom State Chapter, provided medical intervention by empowering 200 poor Widows on free health care insurance in Ndiya Village, Ikono, in support of Ms. Emem Usoro’s medical outreach for Widows in the area, amongst other things: –
✅ Attended Government House Covenant Service, Sunday 1st December, 2024
✅ Approved the Flag-off of the Christmas unplug 2:0, on Sunday 1st December, 2024
✅ Broadcast “A note of appreciation on the Home going of the First Lady of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor, Mrs. Patience Umo Eno, Monday, 2nd December, 2024
✅ Signed the new minimum wage agreement for Civil Servants, on Tuesday 3rd December, 2024
✅ Honoured with a prestigious award for his contributions to the growth of the media in Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria, Thursday, 5th December, 2024
✅ Attended the Widow’s outreach at Ndiya, Ikono, through Ms. Emem Usoro, on Friday 6th December, 2024
✅ Paid an unscheduled visit to the Arise Park for site inspection, Friday, 6th December, 2024
Let me start by wishing my readers compliments of the season. This is another vital moment and a season of love. Please let us endeavor to show love to those around us, just like our Governor has said. Let the love go round. Givers never lack. Make this particular period the best for your neighbors, family and friends, including strangers. Akwa Ibom shall be great as we march into our promise land.
The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, has been involved in key programmes over the last one week, in order to keep the flag flying. Everyone had thought that by now, the Governor should be in America or any other place of choice, resting, after a very stressful outing, as the Governor laid his beloved wife Pastor Mrs. Patience Umo Eno to rest, in what could be described as a National burial, on Friday 29th November, 2024. To our chagrin and disbelief, the Governor is still making very serious commitment to serving the people of Akwa Ibom State better. He undertook this spiritually and physically, as he made his very first official appearance during the Government House Monthly Covenant Service, held at the Banquet Hall Government House on 1st December, 2024, just a day after the burial of his beloved wife. Indeed, this is leadership in all ramifications. The Governor of Akwa Ibom State has demonstrated great strength and resilience in his trying moment, proving to all Akwa Ibomites that he is very much in charge and ever ready to pilot the business of good Governance in Akwa Ibom State.
♦ON THE BROADCAST
On Monday 2nd December, 2024, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State did make a Broadcast, titled: “Note of appreciation”, thanking Akwa Ibom people and the entire Country, including those in Diaspora for the support given to him and the first family during the burial of our beloved First Lady Pastor Mrs. Patience Umo Eno.
According to the Governor, “On behalf of my family, I wish to thank everyone who stood by us during the difficult time of our bereavement. This incident has been a sad and heart-rending experience, but the support and encouragement we have received has made it easier for us to go through this phase of our lives”.
Remember that the high and mighty in our society graced the burial event in their number, including the Vice President of Nigeria, Distinguish Senator Kashim Shettima GCON and wife, Distinguish Senator Godswill Akpabio GCON, and wife, former President Goodluck Jonathan GCFR, and wife, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abass, GCON and spouse, Chief Justice of Nigeria, His Lordship, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, GCON, including other Justices of the Supreme Court and Appeal Courts, members of the Judiciary arm of the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Earlier, the Governor had thanked President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR; and his beloved wife, the First Lady of the Nation, Distinguish Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, for their visit, phone calls and support all through the period of the tragic loss.
The Governor did not forget to thank the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, his SSG, Prince Enobong Uwah and the entire State Executive Council, including all notable figures from Akwa Ibom State who stood by him during their period of bereavement. There was no better way for the Governor to recognize and appreciate all that attended the burial than for him to say “Thank yous”. You dare not make an attempt to mention everybody, because the list was endless.
♦ON THE MINIMUM WAGE AGREEMENT
Thus, on Tuesday, 3rd December, 2024, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State and the organized labour (NLC) had an understanding by ensuring the signing of the new minimum wage agreement. The Governor of Akwa Ibom State had since agreed to pay 80,000 Naira as minimum wage to the Civil Servants in the State as against the 70,000 Naira benchmarked by the Federal Government as minimum wage. He did that sincerely and genuinely out of his love for the workers of Akwa Ibom State. Governor Eno has been introduced as the most workers’-friendly Governor, as he paid very high premium to workers welfare, since his assumption of office on 29th May, 2024, a move that has seen him paid over 37 Billion Naira as Gratuities to Civil Servants in the State, in just about 18 Months in office, settled Leave Grants, Promotion allowance, approved one-off wardrobe allowance to public school teachers to the tune of 1.1Billion Naira, amongst other major achievements. When it comes to the payment of minimum wage, Governor Eno was very intentional about the payment of same as a workers’-friendly Governor. No threat of strike action can push the Governor to take such decision as a man that have the love for his people at heart. As widely publicized, the new minimum wage will be paid effective November, 2024, with a differential payment by February 2025, as Civil Servants in the State have received their November Salaries before the gentleman agreement on the payment of Minimum wage.
♦ON THE WIDOWS MEDICAL OUTREACH
On Friday, 6th December, 2024, the Governor joined Ms. Emem Usoro, the Deputy Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria CBN (Operations) on the grand finale of the medical outreach organized for Widows in her hometown at Ndiya, Ikono Local Government Area. At the occasion, the Governor mentioned that the free medical outreach put together by Ms. Emem Usoro in collaboration with others, is in tandem with the vision of his ARISE Agenda in the area of Rural Development and healthcare in particular.
Governor Eno commended Ms. Emem Usoro as a distinguished daughter of Akwa Ibom State, stating that the State is blessed with prominent players in the corporate world, and should take advantage of their wealth of experience to further the development of the State. The Governor however said that people should be on the look out for the first corporate summit in Akwa Ibom State by 2025, where all the corporate high flyers, from across Nigeria and Diaspora who are undigenes of Akwa Ibom State, will sit down to plan the best way of adding value to Akwa Ibom State economy by engaging in activities that would touch many more lives.
He commended Ms. Usoro for remembering and bringing the outreach back home, to positively impact her people and the State generally, adding that the outreach was in line with the components of the ARISE Agenda, especially in the areas of rural development and health sector management.
He said the government under his leadership has embarked on different life – touching projects in Ikono including re-awarding of contract for the 10.9km Ikot Ayan-Urua Naira-Ikot Nseyen- Nung Ukim Road, comprising two 40-meter-span bridges, and will connect Nsai Use, Use-Ikot Amama, Ibiaku Ikot Esifa, Utong Mmong, and Nkwot Edem Edet, spanning communities in Ibiono Ibom and Ikono Local Government Area, and a model primary school in the area.
The Governor also said funds have been released for the renovation of Lutheran Primary School lkot Akpa Edok, Ndiya, the venue for the widows outreach, and assured of more development projects in the area.
While wishing Ms. Usoro a happy birthday, Governor Eno who was moved by her gesture to her people, offered free enrollment in the State Health Insurance Scheme for 200 elderly citizens of Ikono in support of the outreach.
He urged other players in the corporate world, and well-to-do citizens of the State to emulate Ms. Usoro and endeavour to always come back home and impact their local communities and the State.
Earlier, the celebrant , Ms. Emem Usoro appreciated the Governor for creating time to attend the event and to share in the joy of her birthday, and also for his numerous impactful development strides in Ikono, and the State generally.
She particularly appreciated the Governor for releasing funds for the renovation of Lutheran Primary School, Ikot Akpa Edok, Ndiya, and urged her people to continue to support the Governor to enable him fully actualize the ARISE Agenda.
♦ON THE CHRISTMAS UNPLUG 2.0
In an attempt to reposition Akwa Ibom State for tourist attraction, the State Governor had few months to his swearing in announced that he will love to see the Christmas celebration in Akwa Ibom State take a different shape, as he approved a whole month celebration, starting from the first of December 2023, as it were. The Governor stated that he would love the organizers of the Christmas Village Park to invite indigenous artist to perform as a part of empowerment for our sons and daughters, adding that home based choir across the State from different Churches, be mobilised to sing during the celebration. A gesture that heralded love, unity and togetherness in Akwa Ibom State. The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, has been able to put the State together through different people-centric Programmes since he assumed the office as the number citizen of Akwa Ibom State.
This year, as we speak, the story is not different. In a move to support the traders operating at the Christmas Village Park, the Governor had ordered that the Kiosk that was given out at an inflated amount ranging from 200,000 to 300,000 Naira, be given out at the sum of 100,000 to the traders as a way of supporting their businesses.
The ministry of Culture and Tourism in Akwa Ibom State, headed by HC Charles Udoh, assisted by the hardworking Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Grace Akpan, have done a very serious job in promoting the Christmas Village Park, even before December 2024. Therefore, regarding this level of preparation, it is expected that this year’s Christmas Village Park event, titled “Christmas Unplug 2.0”, will leave us with memorable experiences to look back at after the event.
To date, several Local Government Areas have stamped their feet at the Christmas Village Park, showcasing their rich cultural heritage. This is what happened last December during the celebration. The only difference is that for this year, the Governor had already caution the Local Government Areas, not to package some play that may have far reaching demonic implications on the People of the State and the participants most especially. This is as a result of the scary nature of traditional display that was brought into the Christmas Village Park by some Local Government Areas last year.
For this year, the Christmas Village Park was opened on Sunday, 1st December, 2024, with Abak Local Government Area, showcasing their rich cultural heritage on day one. I’m yet to confirm whether the Local Government Areas are appearing according to alphabetical order. To date, Abak, Eastern Obolo, Eket, Edit Eket, Essien Udim, Etim Ekpo, Etinan have made a strong show at the Christmas Village Park. Corporate bodies are also encourage to appear at the Christmas Village Park. On Saturday 7th December, 2024, IbomAir were on display at the Christmas Village Park, marketing their brand to the world.
If your Local Government Area is yet to appear at the Christmas Village, please make it a date, to support your Local Government Area, as a son of the soil by making an appearance at the Christmas Village Park. This is a season of love and the Christmas Village Park is put together to foster our unity in diversity as various cultural heritage from our Local Government Areas are unknown to so many are currently on display at the Christmas Village Park.
The Christmas unplug 2.0, will no doubt generate some revenue to the State Government, as Tourists from various countries of the world are already on ground to participate in the event, a development that will increase our Internal Generated Revenue at the end of the day and project our State positively to the world, including our Local artist who have been given a platform to showcase their talent all through the celebration period, as directed by the Governor of Akwa Ibom State.
♦ON THE ARISE PARK
The ‘ARISE PARK’ is obviously one of the most special project of the current administration. To me, I call it a signature project. I have been watching at a distance, but, on Friday 5th December, 2024, I was opportune to join His Excellency, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State for an inspection of the facility. All I can tell you is the the ARISE Park at the Dominic Utuk Spring Water Lake, Ewet Offot, Uyo, is a site to behold. The once gloomy and desolate portion, that qualified for a death trap has been transformed by Governor Umo Eno. This is an area that was threatened by erosion that ate deep into its foundation, felling some priced buildings in the area. One of the residents of the area, a Widow, Mrs. Lucy Uwa in her story, narrated how her husband died from heart break as he could not stay alive to watch his only building caved into the shallow pit, gravitated by the unstoppable erosion ravaging the area.
As we Speak, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, a renowned business man with a verifiable business address, even before he became the Governor of Akwa Ibom State has transformed the once forgotten portion of land to a world-class tourist attraction that shall play host to a standard Golf Course, children’s play ground, beautiful lake, swimming pool, barbecue bars, football pitch, tennis, volleyball, and basketball courts, restaurant, six cafes, and porch areas where people can relax by the poolside to eat and enjoy themselves. Other facilities at the Arise Park include 20 chalets, 15 of which are two-bedroom executive Charlets, five are three bedroom chalets, each having its own reception and administrative block, a banquet hall for events and conferences, four shops that will sell only Akwa Ibom attires, a pharmacy and a banking hall. The ARISE Park which is at about 80 Percent Completion, sited on a massive 51 hectares of land, shall have its phase one which is the Golf course and Children’s play ground commissioned soon, for use. This is another money spinning project for Akwa Ibom State, aside IbomAir and other thriving State owned businesses.
The ambitious project is handled by Bulletin Construction Company, the MD/CEO, Faysal Harb is doing everything possible, working with the State Government to meet up the dateline. Let me also add that, the “ARISE PARK” is one project that is very dear to our State Governor as he has visited the project site for about 7 times within the last one month, ensuring that the contractors does not renege on the delivery date of the project.
Arise, that same God.
Pst. Solomon Essiet, ACIA
Special Assistant to on New Media to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State.
