NEWS RELEASE
*…Restates Support for Constructive Engagement and Diaspora Partnerships*
The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State on Diaspora Affairs, Ms. Linda Akon Umoh, has cautioned against the deliberate spread of misinformation and exaggerated claims aimed at discrediting the State Government and misleading the public.
This follows an official press release by the State Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Umanah, which firmly refuted the false claim that Governor Umo Eno would be leading a 100-person delegation to the 2025 AKISAN Convention in Washington, D.C. The Government clarified that the Governor will not be attending the convention in person this year.
It should be noted that instead, a modest five-member delegation, comprising representatives from the State Government and the private sector have been appointed to represent Akwa Ibom State at the event, in line with the administration’s commitment to responsible governance, cost-efficiency, and meaningful engagement.
In a follow-up statement released on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, Ms. Umoh, who also serves as the State’s Diaspora Focal Point Officer, decried recent attempts by certain individuals to derail productive discourse by resorting to misinformation, personal attacks, and distortion of facts.
“While the State Government welcomes robust dialogue, especially from our diaspora community, such engagement must be grounded in truth and mutual respect,” she said. “Misinformation does not serve the collective interest of our people and only distracts from the real work of development.”
She reaffirmed Governor Umo Eno’s consistent openness to partnership with the diaspora in key areas such as healthcare, education, investment promotion, and cultural exchange. She also acknowledged the impactful contributions of diaspora groups like AKISAN and the Akwa Ibom Diaspora Health Professionals, describing their support as instrumental to the State’s development.
“The upcoming AKISAN Convention and other diaspora forums should be platforms for honest engagement and shared progress—not vehicles for spreading baseless claims or seeking cheap political points,” Ms. Umoh emphasized.
She also reiterated the Governor’s longstanding preference for future AKISAN conventions to be hosted in Uyo, the State capital, a move aimed at fostering cultural reintegration, economic activity, and grassroots inclusion.
“The Umo Eno-led administration remains open to constructive criticism and values the insights of well-meaning citizens. However, we must collectively reject and call out disinformation, no matter the source,” Ms. Umoh concluded.
