You and Your Governor
Featuring: IbomAir and her outstanding performance
Akwa Ibom State has been in the news for very good reasons over the week, the just concluded Annual General Meeting of IbomAir underscores the State’s commitment to strengthening the fabric of best practices on ease of doing business, particularly focusing on the State’s owned enterprises. Some of the Governor’s activities in the week under review are as follows:-
✅Gov. Eno honoured with an Excellence Award by NUJ, in Developing of Media Infrastructure, Saturday, June 21, 2025
✅Gov. Eno worshipped at United Evangelical Church, Ikot Ekpene Udo, Nsit Ubium LGA, as they marked 114th Anniversary, Sunday, June 22, 2025
✅Gov. Eno approved the recruitment of 3000 workers into the State’s Civil Service, Monday, June 23, 2025
✅Gov. Eno delivered a compassionate home at Midim Atan, Essien Udim LGA, Tuesday, June 24, 2025
✅Gov. Eno handed over a compassionate home in Uruk Ata Ikot Otok Village, Etim Ekpo LGA, Tuesday, June 24, 2025
✅Gov. Eno celebrated Lagos State Governor, H.E, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on his 60th birthday, Wednesday, June 25, 2025
✅Gov. Eno attended IbomAir’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), Wednesday, June 25, 2025
✅Gov. Eno paid an unscheduled inspection to the Arise Senior Citizens Centre, along the medical corridor, Wednesday, June 25, 2025
✅Gov. Eno stopped over at the Ewet Housing Luxury Gardens Estate, on inspection of facility, Wednesday, June 25, 2025
✅Gov. Eno celebrated the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila on his 63rd Birthday, Wednesday, June 25, 2025
✅Gov. Eno hosted the iconic sport professionals, Willam Troost-Ekong and Idara Otu, to a dinner, Wednesday, June 25, 2025
✅Gov. Eno presided over the Akwa Ibom State Executive Council Meeting, Thursday, June 26, 2025
✅Gov. Eno Commissioned an Ulta-Modern Model School, at Itu LGA, Friday, June 27, 2025
✅Gov. Eno attended the meeting of Progressive Governor’s forum (PGF), Edo State, Friday, June 27, 2025
✅Gov. Eno, other progressive Governors met with Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare 11, Saturday, June 28, 2025
✅Gov. Eno attended the funeral service of Madam Roselyn Esin, (Mother of Orman Esin), Saturday, June 28, 2025.
Critical checks on the Governor’s activities over the week, will definitely suggest to you that all the defection/movement noise is over. Governor Eno, realizing that the people of Akwa Ibom people will never ask him about the party he belonged to at the end of his tenure, but the dividends of democracy, has since gone back to work. For instance, on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, the Governor inspected two construction sites in the State, the Arise Senior Citizens Centre, and Ewet Housing Luxury Gardens Estate, on his return from the IbomAir’s Annual General Meeting, not minding how tired such exercise could be and the inconveniences involved. These are the attributes that enabled him to emerged the Governor of year 2024. As I speak, Akwa Ibom State have over 45 ongoing people-oriented projects in the State. The Governor has a way of keeping tap with activities going on at various construction sites in the State, through what he called Delivery meeting, conducted once in a month. That is where the members of the committee and most especially, Delivery Advisors take turn to brief the Governor of progress recorded at different locations where projects are being executed, ensuring timely delivery of such projects.
♦️ON THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF IBOMAIR
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, described Ibom Air as a strategic partner in the state’s emerging tourism economy, declaring that the airline is central to his administration’s plan to position Akwa Ibom as Nigeria’s premier tourism and investment destination.
Speaking at the first public Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Ibom Air, held at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, Ikot Ekpene, the Governor praised the airline as “a flying symbol of the ARISE Agenda” his administration’s blueprint for economic transformation, connectivity, and sustainable development.
“Ibom Air is not just an airline; it is the heartbeat of our tourism economy, connecting Akwa Ibom to the world and bringing people, opportunities, and prosperity closer to our people,” Governor Eno said.
Marking the airline’s sixth anniversary, the Governor commended Ibom Air for its consistency, professionalism, and rapid growth. He noted that its positive impact on tourism, investor perception, and economic confidence is unmatched by any other state-owned enterprise in Nigeria.
He revealed that the public AGM was convened at his request to promote transparency and to showcase Ibom Air’s governance model as a template for other State-Owned Enterprises in Akwa Ibom.
“We want our institutions to be professionally run, commercially driven, and globally respected just like Ibom Air,” he added.
Presenting the airline’s financial report, outgoing Board Chairman, Mr. Imo-Abasi Jacob, announced a remarkable recovery and growth trajectory. From a net loss of ₦8.7 billion in 2023, the airline recorded a net profit of ₦6.8 billion in 2024. Revenue rose by 43%, from ₦67 billion to ₦96 billion, while operational profit jumped from a ₦3 billion loss to a ₦16.6 billion surplus.
He emphasized that Ibom Air has remained steadfast in delivering safety, on-time performance, and excellent customer service, making it a top choice for both domestic and international travelers.
Governor Eno recalled his early visit to Ibom Air’s headquarters shortly after taking office, where he pledged continued government support for the airline. Two years later, he reaffirmed that the promise has been fulfilled with the acquisition of two brand-new CRJ 900 Bombardier aircraft and the delivery of two Airbus A220-300 jets, bringing the fleet to nine aircraft.
The Governor also highlighted major ongoing investments in the aviation sector, including the new International Terminal, Aviation Village, MRO facility, and perimeter fencing at the Victor Attah International Airport designed to create a seamless, world-class travel and tourism experience.
In a significant leadership transition, Governor Eno announced the appointment of Captain Mfon Udom, Ibom Air’s founding CEO and architect of its business model, as the new Non-Executive Chairman of the Board. He also named Mr. George Uriesi, the current Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer, as Acting Managing Director and CEO.
“Both men have been integral to Ibom Air’s journey from concept to national acclaim,” the Governor noted.
With six domestic routes and an international destination in Accra, Ghana, Ibom Air continues to expand the frontiers of commerce, culture, and connectivity for Akwa Ibom.
“Our tourism economy is taking flight and Ibom Air is the runway,” Governor Eno declared.
The AGM concluded with renewed confidence among stakeholders, as Ibom Air reaffirmed its long-term vision to become Africa’s airline of choice, while continuing to drive inclusive economic growth in Akwa Ibom and the wider region.
♦️ON THE STATE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING
The Akwa Ibom State Executive Council Meeting took place in Thursday, June 26, 2025, with His Excellency the Executive Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, PhD sitting as Governor in Council, and the Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, Secretary to the State Government, Head of Civil Service, Executive Assistant and Chief Delivery Advisor, as well as Commissioners and Special Advisers in attendance.
In his opening remarks, the Governor thanked council members for their support throughout the period of the State’s progressive movement.
The Governor in Council further tasked members of the Executive Council to recommit to the ideals of the ARISE Agenda by working extra hard to ensure the delivery of dividend of democracy to the people.
RESOLUTIONS:
The Executive Council considered a presentation by the Ministry of Youth Development on the Akwa Ibom State Youth Development Roadmap and approved the hosting of the ARISE Skills Development Week from July 13th – 15th, 2025, to coincide with the United Nations Youth Skills Development Day.
EXCO further approved the commencement of youth engagement programmes, including the establishment of Youth Friendly Centres across the entire State, which will serve as a hub for learning, collaboration and innovation, with a pilot in Uyo, the State Capital.
To improve Water Supply Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in the State, the Executive Council reviewed the various WASH documents, presented by the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, including the Akwa Ibom State WASH Policy, WASH Monitoring and Evaluation Framework, the roadmap for making Akwa Ibom State Open Defecation Free by 2030, and the Akwa Ibom State Water Regulation Bill 2025; directing the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice to ensure transmission of the draft bill to the State House of Assembly for Consideration and passage into law.
EXCO also reviewed the State’s investment books and directed the Akwa Ibom State Investment Corporation to exit the State government from non-profitable companies and ventures, further approving the inclusion of the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, and the Commissioner for Finance as statutory members of all boards of Government owned establishments.
The Governor-in-Council directed that the Commissioner for Finance takes over the coordination and supervision of the Ministry of Special Duties and Ibom Deep SeaPort to ensure that all projects and programmes continue seamlessly and are delivered within timelines.
In order to rekindle sports development and ensure youth sport activities in the State, the Executive Council, following the presentation by the Ministry of Sport, approved the hosting of Akwa Ibom State Sports Festival 2025. The activities will commence from July to September, 2025, with a coordinating committee to be headed by the commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey.
The Executive Council acknowledged the celebration of the Civil Service Week, and congratulated the Head of the Civil Service and Public Servants in the State for a very impactful celebration, promising full participation of the State Government in events lined-up to celebrate the week, which will climax with a Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, June 29th, 2025.
♦️ON INSPECTION OF ARISE SENIOR CITIZENS CENTER AND EWET HOUSING LUXURY ESTATE
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, expressed satisfaction at the pace of project execution at the ARISE Elderly Citizens Centre even as he has charged youths to bring to bear their dexterity in project execution to attract government patronage.
The Governor bared his mind while fielding questions from Government House Correspondents during a brief stop over at the Centre located in Itak, Ikono Local Government Area.
Impressed by the quality and progress of work at the Centre, he commended the Contractor, U&K Limited, its Chief Executive Officer, Mr Ukeme Peters, and the Project Delivery Advisor, Dr. Itawan James for the dexterity brought to bear in the execution of the project.
“This is my idea of young persons working really hard to show their capacity to deliver. I keep challenging our young people that, if you show me capacity, we will empower you.
“You must rise to the occasion. Capacity should come before empowerment; empowerment does not come before capacity.”
On the Centre, the Governor said it “is one of the facilities that we want to have here along the Medical Corridor situated between the Four Points by Sheraton and the State Specialist Hospital. And, the people involved have so far delivered to my satisfaction.”
Pastor Eno acknowledged that he has no doubt that the contractor will meet up with the delivery deadline.
“You can see the quality of work, and I’m impressed. I want to thank the Delivery Advisor and the contractor for a job well done so far. They are diligent, committed, and have shown excellence in what they are doing here.”
In her remarks, the Project Delivery Advisor, Dr. James, appreciated the Governor for giving her and her team the opportunity to bring the vision to reality, taste and satisfaction.
Dr. James disclosed that the project will be delivered to run its programmes and activities by September this year, adding that the necessary legal frameworks that would facilitate the take off of the centre are happening behind the scene and expressed optimism that the centre will be operational within the time frame envisaged.
“I want to first of all thank the Governor for this project and making it to come to pass. We are going to complete it before September and we will have it running.
“All the things that need to be done like the logistics, policies and legal frame works are happening behind the scene. We will have this frameworks in place by the time this centre is commissioned to actually operate this facility.”
Recall that Dr. James had, during the foundation laying ceremony by the Governor in January this year, stated that the facility was not just a structure but an architectural masterpiece with befitting medical, recreational and other facilities that will not only delight the senior citizens but enable them age gracefully.
The Governor also took a detour to inspect the progress of work at Ewet Luxury Estate, at Ewet Offot Uyo, where he walked round the facility and made valuable inputs on the project’s execution.
♦️ Reporting on other related issues, the week under review was a very busy week for the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno. Like I said, the Governor has since gotten back to work, leaving behind what few people thinks of his movement from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the All Progressive Congress, APC. The people of Akwa Ibom State has reassured the Governor of their massive support for him, judging from the number of people that turned out to witness his official reception into the APC fold, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on Saturday, June 21, 2025.
On Friday, June 27, 2025, the performing Governor of Akwa Ibom State, stepped out to join the meeting of the Progressive Governor’s Forum, PGF, held in Benin City, Edo State. That was their first regional meeting according to available report, and Governor Umo Eno, received a loud welcome into their fold, affording him an opportunity of being integrated fully to the progressive movement.
Next day, Saturday June 28, 2025, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, flanked by his colleagues, the Progressive Governors, visited the palace of Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare 11, who urged the Governors to serve as instruments of development and champion of National growth. In all Governor Umo Eno is doing everything possible to move Akwa Ibom State forward and deserved our full support in his quest to transform the State.
This is were I draw the curtain till I bring you more exciting news of the Governor’s activities by next week.
Pastor Solomon Essiet, ACIA
Special Assistant on New Media to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State.
