Emmanuel Nicholas
Due to soaring inflation caused by the end of fuel subsidies and a weak exchange rate, the public in Nigeria maintains exceedingly high expectations.
The public relentlessly challenges political leaders to achieve measurable outcomes, rejecting excuses, and persistently calling for improvements in quality of life to ease their significant struggles.
Protests have broken out across Nigeria, while unscrupulous individuals take advantage of the turmoil to unlawfully enrich themselves by stealing possessions worth billions of Naira.
The banking sector is raising interest rates, energy companies have escalated tariffs to unprecedented levels, and digital television subscriptions have surged threefold.
The economy is choking Nigerians, who are desperately seeking any source of relief. “Japa” has become a popular term for those fleeing the unbearable hardships to seek a better life abroad, and an increasing number of women are turning to commercial sex work but with a modern name ‘hookup’ out of necessity.
Nigeria is grappling with numerous social and economic issues, including insecurity from banditry and kidnappings, particularly in the northwest, ongoing insurgency by terrorist groups in the northeast, and separatist movements marked by kidnappings ,arm Robbery and violent killings in the southeast.
As hardship intensifies for many young individuals, cybercrime becomes a more common avenue they pursue, further tarnishing Nigeria’s reputation and contributing to a rapid decline in businesses due to the poor economy.
The period from 2000 to 2014 saw Nigeria achieving notable economic growth of over 7% per year, supported by advantageous global trends and the implementation of initial macroeconomic reforms.
During the period from 2015 to 2024, growth rates fell while GDP per capita remained unchanged as a result of distortions in monetary policy and exchange rate systems.
The country’s weak economic fundamentals drove inflation to reach a record high of 51.7% in July 2024, marking the highest level in 24 years. The combination of this and sluggish growth has resulted in millions of Nigerians falling into poverty.
It’s startling to see the frequency of suicides happening in Nigeria. According to the National Index of Deaths, more than 2,457 individuals in Nigeria have died by suicide as a result of overwhelming frustration and severe financial hardship.
Sixty percent of families go to bed each day without food, while those who can afford it often have only one meal a day. Approximately thirty percent of Nigerians can successfully have three meals each day.
One leader takes decisive action by rolling up his shirt sleeves and putting on work trousers, ready to save his state’s economy from complete collapse.
Governor UMO ENO has declared a state of emergency in agriculture to guarantee food sufficiency and eliminate starvation among his people.
The agricultural programs launched by the Umo Eno administration have directly helped 2,984 people, while over 10,000 others have received indirect benefits.
A total of 100 public secondary schools and 30 public primary schools have received agricultural supplies.
The Governor established a modern farm in Nsit Ubuim Local, spanning over 100 hectares, and is purchasing mechanized farming equipment to aid farmers in engaging in commercial agriculture.
He has promoted access to Agricultural Credit Facilities through lbom FADAMA Microfinance Bank and other agricultural credit banks.
Governor Umo Eno has also provided well over two billion Naira in interest-free loans to individual and cooperative farmers.
Pastor Umo Eno has encouraged the participation of women and youths in agribusiness.
To mandate farming for everyone, Governor UMO ENO’s administration has designated two days each month for civil servants to work on their farms.
Umo is developing full value-chains for the cultivation and production of major crops in the State using farm settlement schemes, and he is distributing improved seedlings, suckers and fertilizer to the farmers.
Secondly,Governor Umo Eno has declared a state of emergency to lift the poor out of poverty, ensuring they have access to decent housing and adequate meals.
He has completed 36 two-bedroom bungalows for the most disadvantaged, equipped with a potable water solution powered by solar panels, while 164 more are currently under construction at various stages of completion .
But he isn’t stopping there; Governor Umo Eno is also providing free food twice a month to the poorest residents through a bulk food purchasing agency, aiming to alleviate the hardship faced by the underprivileged in Akwa Ibom State amidst the ongoing challenges across Nigeria.
To further facilitate his efforts, Governor Umo Eno often wears jump-up trousers and rolled up sleeves shirt , allowing him the freedom to serve the people of Akwa Ibom effectively.
This commitment has led him to award contracts for the construction of over 300 km of roads within just one year, in addition to overseeing more than 100 road projects initiated by previous administrations.
He is also building 14 bridges and three underground drainage systems, and has constructed 37.7 km of feeder roads in rural communities throughout the state.
The massive construction of roads going on in the State have made Akwa Ibom State one mega site for civil engineering construction.
To secure the future, Governor Umo Eno has announced a state of emergency in education, allocated over 750 million Naira to cover the WASCE fees for final-year students in public secondary schools. He is also making education free for all in primary and secondary school .
To date, 48,797 students have benefited from the payment of 2023/24 SSCE fees.
Moreso , he is constructing model schools throughout the state to offer students top-notch educational facilities that meet international standards. Governor Umo Eno has emphasized the critical role of education in fostering development.
His initiatives include the integration of technology into learning, improved curriculum and forming partnerships with educational institutions to create a comprehensive educational approach in the state. This commitment aims to empower youth and cultivate a more educated population for future advancement.
Furthermore, Governor Umo Eno is providing scholarships for students pursuing careers in the aviation sector, including courses in piloting, aeronautical engineering, air traffic management, and ticketing. He is also offering professional scholarships in medical fields, engineering, law, and various specialized disciplines.
In the healthcare sector, the Governor has initiated a complete revitalization of primary healthcare facilities across the State.
He is constructing modern health centers equipped with advanced healthcare technology and he is set to employ 200 healthcare professionals to strengthen this sector.
His annual report also highlighted that 16,522 patients have benefitted from free medical care funded by the State Government.
The Governor has actively engaged in supporting retirees, personally dedicating himself to their needs. So far, 3,583 retirees from both state and local government services have received their retirement benefits, totaling N21.234 billion as of July 2024.
He has made history as the most outstanding Governor in Akwa Ibom State’s history by prioritizing the welfare of retirees in his administration. He has also pledged to offset completely the backlog of remaining benefits of retirees before the end of his first term in office.
In the housing sector, the Governor has initiated the construction of a Luxury Estate in Ewet Housing to attract investors with top-tier luxury homes.
He has completed Grace Estate for civil servants, with 150 out of 236 deluxe apartments allocated at no cost to civil servants in the Grace Estate located in Ibiono Ibom and Ikono local government areas of Akwa Ibom State.
While many states are seeking for loans to fund their projects, Governor Umo Eno is strategically managing resources to pay off domestic loans accumulated by previous administrations.
To stimulate the local economy, the Governor is empowering entrepreneurs, recognizing that small businesses are crucial to a vibrant economy.
Governor Umo Eno has supported 800 entrepreneurs with N400 million, providing each individual with N500,000 as startup funds.
The Akwa Ibom State Government has disbursed N600 million to beneficiaries of the Akwa Ibom Covid-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (AK-CARES) Phase 2.
N150,000 each, was given out to 1,055 beneficiaries of livelihood grants under DLI1.3, N18 million each to 12 communities for basic projects under DLI 1.4 and over 2,000 entrepreneurs received N240 Million.
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Over 2,434 entrepreneurs received 250,000 Naira each from the first phase of the program, and beyond two thousand are currently in training across various fields. Upon completing their training, they will receive at least 500,000 Naira as startup funds.
Despite the challenging economic climate, the Governor is acquiring ten brand-new Airbus A220-300 aircraft, with the first delivery already completed and another will be delivered tomorrow Tuesday 20th of August 2024 .
Governor Umo Eno is committed to transforming IbomAir into a world-class airline, and has recently announced plans to establish an Aviation Estate and School for workers in the sector.
To diversify the economy and enhance internally generated revenue in Akwa Ibom State, Governor Umo Eno is turning the State properties in Lagos and Abuja,that late state of ruins .
And will be constructing a nineteen-story building in Lagos to lease to businesses.
And, he will also develop a five-star hotel in Abuja to strengthen Nigeria’s hospitality sector and generate billions in profit for Akwa Ibom State.
Despite the considerable challenges many Nigerians encounter, Akwa Ibom State distinguishes itself with noteworthy economic advancements. The Governor is committed to helping his citizens rise above poverty and promoting new initiatives that will transform their shared future.
His goal is to enhance the living standards of the people of Akwa Ibom and promote a culture of food security and self-sufficiency
