By: Solomon Essiet
Featuring: Itu/Ibiono Ibom Town-Square meeting
“I have never entered into covenant with any man on earth, except God”. Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, Ph.D
Dignifying in service means treating all individuals with respect, honour, and worth, while serving them. It involves showing kindness, empathy, and understanding, while also respecting their autonomy and individuality. This is a perfect description of whom Governor Umo Eno is. He has served Akwa Ibom People with dignity since he assumed the office as the Governor of Akwa Ibom State about two years ago. Some of the Governor’s activities over the week are as follows:-
✅ Gov. Eno Eulogised Mfon Usoro for Authoring a book on International trade, Tuesday, May 06, 2025
✅ Gov. Eno received the management of WEMA Bank on Courtesy visit, Wednesday, May 07, 2025
✅ Gov. Eno nominated for a Lifetime Africa Achievement Prize, by Millennium Excellence Foundation, Ghana, Wednesday, May 07, 2025
✅ Gov. Eno received briefing from the Agricultural and Food Security Committee, Wednesday, May 07, 2025
✅ Gov. Eno led the entire State Executive Council, others to Itu/Ibiono Ibom Town-Square meeting, empowered the people. Thursday, May 08, 2025
✅ Gov. Eno congratulated the new South South Development Commission’s MD, Ms Usoro Akpabio, on her appointment, Friday, May 09, 2025
✅ Gov. Eno honoured with a lifetime achievement Price in Ghana, Saturday, May 10, 2025.
Coming back to the issue of covenant, Governor Umo Eno did not make a covenant with any man. At least he said it openly during the Itu/Ibiono Ibom Town-Square meeting. As a Pastor and Preacher of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, his loyalty is first of all to God, the maker of Heaven and Earth, the creator of the universe. According to the Governor, considering his spiritual authority in the Kingdom, it will be an insult to the God he worships, for him to enter into a covenant with man, a mere mortal.
I don’t want to dwell much on politics in this write up, but for the purpose of emphasis, who can actually point to a political ideology in any political party in Nigeria? Check the rate at which our politicians move from one political party to another across the Country, and you will discover that Nigeria is yet to get there ideologically.
For now, the best bet is get into the office and endeavor to deliver the dividends of democracy to your people as an elected political office holder. And when it comes to expertise in delivery of good Governance to the governed, Governor Umo Eno tops the chat in the Country. Party politics is fast becoming obsolete in Nigeria, what matters is what you can bring to the table for your people. Political Parties are not immuned against hunger in the land.
Without mincing words, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, Ph.D, is the best Governor in Nigeria. Being the best Governor is not how many projects you are able to do in your State, it is about how many live’s changing projects you are able to do and with what motive. Check across all the States of the Nigerian Federation and show me any Governor that is deliberately building houses for the poor, people he himself does not even know from Adam. You may think it is a simple thing to do, but get into power first and see how that could be possible.
The same man they said was not a giver during the gubernatorial campaigns, a tithe deducter if that is the correct English word. Pull him down syndrome. Why are we this wicked as a people? Should he fail to win the election due to the negative publicity, what it means is that over 200 vulnerable people he successfully built Compassionate homes for, would still have been homeless, the retired civil servants that have gotten over 60 Billion Naira Gratuities in the last two years of the golden era administration, may still be left unpaid, the number of youths that has been trained and empowered through Ibom Leadership and Entrepreneurial Development Training Centre, Ibom-led, and taken off the street, may still have been roaming the streets of Uyo. The countless number of farmers and traders that have received several empowerment packages in the ongoing Town-Square meetings across the Federal Constituencies in the State, could still be wallowing in abject poverty. Equipments distributed to artisans across the State could have still been under the pipeline.
Governor Umo Eno, through his dignified service to mankind has touched so many lives. All aspects of the Arise Agenda, the blueprint of this administration has received very good attention from the Governor. Namely, Agriculture, Rural Development, Infrastructural Maintenance and Advancement, Security Management and Educational Advancement. This is testament to his overall commitment in changing the narratives of governance and people. Governor Umo Eno is the kind of leader that the people wanted.
These days, a lot of people are reaching out to the Governor, begging him for forgiveness for not voting him during the election. I have listened to similar plea on radio several across different platforms. Even at road commissioning of flag off event, you kept hearing the same lines from people who still have something left of their consciences. Governor Eno has indeed distinguished himself through effective service, not covenant with any mortal man.
♦️ON ITU/IBIONO IBOM TOWN-SQUARE MEETING
In another season of empowerments, 677 people in Itu and Ibiono Ibom local government areas smiled home with cash, working kits and vehicles at the ongoing Town Square Meeting and Empowerment Series.
Of this number, 108 farmers in Itu, and 115 farmers from Ibiono Ibom got the Farmers Grant which range from 500,000 to 1,000,000 Naira.
184 people in Itu and 125 in Ibiono Ibom were beneficiaries of the Arise Traders Grant while 135 people from the two local government areas were rewarded under the ARISE Equipment Support Scheme with equipment ranging from hairdressing machines, welding tools, sewing machines, generating plants and other forms of equipment.
Four beneficiaries from the two local government areas were on the podium for N5m each under the ARISE MSME Grant, while four buses and two cars were given to six people in the two local government areas.
Addressing the people, Governor Umo Eno said, “We have disbursed from my record, 306 million naira to 677 beneficiaries for various grants, farmers grants, business grants, MSMEs, equipment, bus, cars and mini buses.
“Please let me say this, you will not get this grant twice. So if God has given you this opportunity, use it well. Use it and know that by next year it will be someone else’s turn. Because this thing is turn by turn.
The Governor who took time to de-emphasize the political partisanship in the allocation of empowerment schemes, insisted that he was a governor running a government for the benefit of all.
He took time to correct the notion by Senator Ita Enang that, APC members were sidelined in the empowerment schemes.
“I encourage our youths to take advantage of the employment portal. We have advertised employment now. Please apply, because when we finish interview, you won’t come and tell me they didn’t call my party. Please apply.
“And when you go for any interview, if anybody asks you which party you belong, please send me a text because so long as you are an Akwa Ibomite and you’re qualified, don’t tell anybody your party, tell them that you belong to Akwa Ibom party.”
The Governor used the opportunity to echo the essence of the town square meeting as an opportunity to render account to the people.
“There are 12 roads in Ibiono Ibom, seven in Itu, apart from roads, we have done hospitals, we have done schools, we have done compassionate homes, we have done water projects, and particularly targeting the rural communities”, the Governor added.
The Secretary to the State Government , Prince Enobong Uwah, who set the tone for the event, assured the people that the Governor was fulfilling his promise of rendering account to the people and assisting small and medium scale businesses to grow.
Presenting the Needs document of the constituency, Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon Kufre Edidem, commended Governor Eno for his programmes and projects and expressed the hope that the new projects, if executed in the next fiscal year, will further improve the quality of life for his people.
High-points of the occasion was the adoption of Governor Umo Eno as the sole candidate for the people of the two local government areas for the 2027 Governorship election, following a motion by Hon Moses Essien of Ibiono Ibom State Constituency and seconded by Hon Idongesit Ituen from Itu.
Earlier, the Chairmen of Itu/Ibiono Ibom Local Government Areas in their welcome address delivered by Mr Ubong Nkutt of Itu, thanked the Governor for his remarkable works in the two LGAs. They pledged their unshifting support to the Governor.
“Your Excellency, it is with great pleasure that we welcome His Excellency to Itu/Ibiono Federal Constituency.
“We are so proud of you. We are happy to have a pragmatic leader like you, that’s why we are emulating your steps.
“We want to use this opportunity to welcome you to Itu/Ibiono Federal Constituency. Since we are men of very few words, we want to pledge that ours will be demonstrated by support.”
Goodwill messages were also presented by the House of Representatives Member, Barr Ime Okon, Commissioner for Housing, Dr. Henry Archibong, former SSG, Obongawan Grace Ekong and Senator Ita Enang as well as the Paramount ruler of Ibiono Ibom, Akuku Ime Udousoro Inyang.
They praised the leadership prowess of Governor Eno and pledged constant support to him beyond his first term.
The Governor had earlier inaugurated a new administrative block executed by the Chairman of Itu local government area, Mr Ubong Nkutt, charging all chairmen to perform well in office to justify the expectations of their people.
♦️ON THE LIFETIME AFRICA ACHIEVEMENTS AWARD
In a grand ceremony held at the Dome of the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi, on Saturday, May 10, 2025, the prestigious Lifetime Africa Achievement Prize (LAAP) was conferred on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria, President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana, and Governor Umo Bassey Eno of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
The honour was in recognition of their impactful leadership and unwavering dedication to excellence in public service across Africa.
In the citation plaque presented to Governor Umo Eno, the organizers commended him for his “special commitment to agriculture, rural development, and social welfare for the people of Akwa Ibom State,” noting that his efforts in positively transforming the livelihoods of millions living in rural communities were worthy of celebration.
The citation further stated:
“This award is a testament to our collective appreciation and a reminder that the similitude of positive influence is like that of a bright glowing lamp in the depths of darkness.”
Governor Umo Eno was ably represented at the event by the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, supported by the Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Umanah.
The Life Patron of Millennium Execellence Foundation and host of the event,Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, appreciated the recipients, noting that their hard work and commitment to service had earned them the recognition and honour bestowed.
President of the Foundation, Ambassador Nana Morton Prempeh expressed heartfelt thanks to all who attended the ceremony, describing their honour as well deserved noting that LAAP has evolved over the last twenty five years celebrating African leaders whose transformative work inspires progress and hope across the continent.
♦️ INFRASTRUCTURAL REINASAINCE
Governor Umo Eno is big on infrastructure. Please know it for free, that Governor Umo Eno is the first Governor in Akwa Ibom State to ensure that important projects such as Model Schools, Roads, Model Healthcare Centres are being carried out in all the Local Government Areas, in just two years in office. This is an unprecedented achievements, and we must give the Governor the respect and honour he deserves. Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, has written his name in gold already, and as far as governance is concern, posterity shall be kind to him.
The MRO Terminal, Arise Resort, Ibom Towers, Lagos, Arise Elder’s citizens Homes, Ewet Luxury Gardens Estate, Aviation Village, Command and Control, Convention Center, are some very audacious projects that the Governor will be commissioning soon. Except for Ibom Towers, Lagos, which the Governor will still be able to commission within his first term in office by the grace of God.
This is where I draw the curtain. Follow me next week as I bring you more exciting news from the Governor’s office as regards his activities for the coming week.
Pastor Solomon Essiet, ACIA
Special Assistant on New Media to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State.
