…As 5-Thousand Capacity Convention center and 200-Room Ibom Hotels Comes alive
You and Your Governor
“My motivation in revisiting the 5000 Capacity Convention Center and 200-Room Ibom Hotels, is the amount of money sunk into the Project by the State Government in previous administration”. Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, Ph.D
Governor Eno continued with his impressive leadership style, that has ultimately landed him a new name as a jinx breaker over the weekend. Some of the Governor’s activities in the week under consideration are as follows:-
✅ Gov. Eno joined Elder Aniekan Akpan, State Chairman of PDP, on 25th Marriage Anniversary Thanksgiving, Sunday, May 18, 2025
✅ Gov. Eno hosted Dr. John Momoh, a media Icon, Monday, May 19, 2025
✅ Gov. Eno celebrated his Commissioners, Hon. Aniekan Umanah and Dr. Offiong Offor, on their birthday, Monday, May 19, 2025
✅ Gov. Eno represented at the official opening of 2025 (NIPR) week in Uyo, Tuesday, May 20, 2025
✅ Gov. Eno congratulated Barr. Anieken Ukpanah, on his career attainment as Board Chairman Lex Mundi, Tuesday, May 20, 2025
✅Governor Eno celebrated Dr. Ekem Emmanuel, Health Commissioner, on his birthday, Tuesday, May 20, 2025
✅ Gov. Eno holds a private meeting with the Vice President, Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa, Tuesday May 20, 2025
✅ Gov. Eno represented at the Management Retreat of National Space Research and Development Agency, (NASRDA), Tuesday, May 20, 2025
✅ Gov. Eno Honoured with Prestigious Cultural Ambassador award, Wednesday, May 21, 2025
✅ Gov. Eno Commissioned Model Primary Healthcare Centre, Eyulor, Urue Offong/Oruko, Wednesday, May 21, 2025
✅Gov. Eno Commissioned Model Primary School in Okobo Local Government Area, Wednesday, May 21, 2025
✅ Gov. Eno hosted the President of NIPR, Dr. Ike Neliaku and team to a luncheon, Wednesday, May 21, 2025
✅ Gov. Eno hosted the 368 Ward’s Peronal Assistants, Wednesday, May 21, 2025
✅ Gov. Eno inducted as the Patron of Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, (NIPR), Thursday, May 22, 2025
✅ Gov. Eno presided over Delivery Advisory Meeting Thursday, May 22 and Friday, May 23, 2025
✅ Gov. Eno delivered Patrol vehicles to the State Police Command, Friday, May 23, 2025
✅Gov. Eno Commissioned a Model Primary School at Oruk Anam Local Government Area, Friday, May 23, 2025
✅ Gov. Eno Commissioned a Model Primary School at Ukanafun LGA, Friday, May 23, 2025
✅ Gov. Eno represented at the Oro Union Centenary celebration, bagged award of excellence, Friday, May 23, 2025
✅ Gov. Eno set up an adhoc committee for drainage and desilting, Friday, May 23, 2025
✅ Gov. Eno flagged of the construction of 5000 capacity Ibom Convention center and 200 Bedroom Ibom Hotels, Uyo, Saturday, May 24, 2025
✅ Gov. Eno inspected Arise Resort with his team, Saturday, May 24, 2025.
After the Convention Center and the over 200 Bedroom Ibom Hotels have been abandoned for over 15Years in spite of the economic benefits of such Project to the State, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno took a bold step to revamping the moribund Projects, giving it a life and returning the State to the path of Tourism. When asked about his motivation for revisiting the project, the Governor simply answered by saying that his motivation is the amount is the amount of money sunk into the project by the State Government in previous administration. Indeed it takes a Tourist Practitioner like Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, to fully understand the imports of such gigantic projects in adding to the development of a Tourist roadmap for Akwa Ibom State. What we pay transport to see in Kigali is gradually happening in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State through the visionary leadership of hard working Governor, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno.
The Governor has assured that the construction and completion of the 5000 Capacity Ibom Convention Center and the 200-Room Ibom Hotels, at the Ibom Tropicana complex will be completed with the first term of his golden era administration. While the Hotel project shall be due for commissioning in 12 months, the Ibom convention center shall be due for completion and commissioning in 18 months. These set of Projects are not the first that the State Governor is taking over from the previous administration in Akwa Ibom State. Due to what the Governor described as a “Finisher’s Anointing”, he has graciously taken over several Projects abandoned by successive administration in the Governor since 1999. Almost half of the over 750km of Roads Constructed by this administration are Roads inherited either from the immediate past administration or previous administrations in the State. One of such Road Projects is the popular 10.9km Use Ikot Amama Road, initiated by the administration of Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, when he was the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, between 2007 to 2015. Of a truth, it takes a man with the Finishers Anointing to dare such project with it attendants cost that may have since redoubled due to unprecedented inflation over the years.
Looking at the economic benefits of the 5000 capacity Ibom Convention Center and the 200-Room Ibom Hotels, at a time that Akwa Ibom State is a choice destination for almost all Conferences and Retreats in the Country, one would discover that the Projects are very viable and timely. What a way to mark the 2-Year anniversary of the golden era administration? May God bless the performing and award winning Governor of Akwa Ibom State.
♦️ON DELIVERY ADVISORY MEETING
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, tasked Commissioners and delivery advisors on synergy to ensure seamless and timely execution of projects under their watch.
Speaking on the first day of the ongoing Project Delivery and Performance Review meeting at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Uyo, the Governor said in the last two years, his administration has made remarkable impact in critical areas of the ARISE Agenda and urged all delivery advisors and other officials to take their jobs more seriously, to ensure the full implemention of the agenda.
The Governor said the meeting was very essential because of the need for a critical review of the state of projects, and to ensure that they are executed according to specifications.
He said some critical stakeholders were invited to be part of the meeting, to have full understanding of the workings of government.
The Governor who is a product of the corporate world reiterated one of his administrative philosophies, saying “you don’t get what you expect, but what you inspect,” adding that it was imperative to consistently inspect and follow through projects to ensure proper delivery.
He appreciated members of his team and the stakeholders for their commitment thus far, stressing that the focus of his administration will remain on good governance anchored on the ARISE Agenda, rather than on party politics.
Governor Eno also assured continuous prudent management of resources, and announced the flag off of the 5000 seater international convention center and the 200 bed Ibom Hotel slated for Saturday May 24, 2025.
The Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi appreciated the Governor for what he is doing for the State and its people, saying that the delivery meeting is unprecedented, and has adequately equipped the stakeholders on the Governor’s development focus and status.
Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Udeme Otong appreciated the Governor for the opportunity to be part of the review meeting, saying that it has given him the opportunity to know what the Governor is doing in the State, which, according to him, was indeed a perfect oversight function for him.
The speaker said extending invitation of the meeting to other stakeholders was indicative that the Umo Eno-led administration is an open government, and working in the interest of the citizenry.
Among the projects reviewed were: the Ibom Tourism Summit, ARISE Park, Ibom Hotel renovation, Agricultural equipment leasing, Ibom Multi-specialist Hospital, General Hospitals in Ibiono Ibom, Ukanafun, Ikot Ekpene, Etinan, Mother and Child Hospital, ARISE Dialysis Center, Airport clinic, Itam Industrial Park, Ibom Convention Center, Ikot Ekpene International Market, House of Assembly Complex and Speaker’s Lodge, AkwaGIS building, Airport projects, ARISE Senior Citizens Center, road projects among others.
♦️ON THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF (NIPR) AND INVESTITURE OF GOV. ENO AS PATRON
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, said that within the first two years of his administration, the numerous projects executed by his administration were delivered without borrowing from any financial institution.
The Governor stated this Thursday, May 22, 2025 at the occasion of his investiture as Patron of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), in Uyo.
He said, “As we stand today, we have not in the last two years borrowed a dime from anybody. We have been building a serving pool from the funds that came to us to be able to seamlessly finance our projects and development”.
The Governor attributed the availability of funds to the strategic and visionary decisions taken by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu which have yielded increased revenue and more funds for developmental projects.
“This wouldn’t have been possible if our President didn’t take some serious decisions to maximize the revenue of the country and that of the States,” he added.
Pastor Eno expressed his determination to make the State a tourist destination of choice in the country, mentioning the ongoing reconstruction of the abandoned 5,000 seater capacity International Conference Centre, the 200 room world-class hotel as indicators.
“We are developing our infrastructures to be able to support tourism, and I think that the next time you come by the grace of God, our International Conference Centre, with a capacity for holding five thousand people with several break out rooms and two hundred bed-hotel by it, as well as a shopping city should be ready. It is an 18-month project and we are very deliberate about it,” he assured.
According to the Governor, “We believe that our programmes towards diversification of our economy are tilting towards tourism, and we are developing tourism assets across the State that will make any visitor want to spend time here.”
Highpoint of the occasion was the induction of the Governor as Patron of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations.
Accepting the honour, Governor Eno promised to abide by the code of conduct that governs the Institute as well as support the ideals of the organisation.
Performing the investiture, the NIPR President and Chairman of the Council, Dr. Ike Neliaku, said the honour was in line with the acknowledgement of the role of the Patron as the guiding light of the NIPR in promoting the organization’s code, professional standard and solemn commitment to create a more reputation- conscious society where the dignity and pride of all people and cultures in the land are respected.
The investiture which was part of the Nigerian Public Relations Week in Uyo, with the theme: ” Beyond Headlines : Harnessing Public Relations for Economic Renaissance,” was graced by members of the State Executive Council, the political class, fellows and members of the Institute.
♦️ON THE MEETING WITH WARD PA’s
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, disclosed plans to recommence another phase of distribution of free food to the poorest of the poor across the State under the Food Security programme of his administration.
The Governor disclosed the plan during a meeting with his 368 ward Personal Assistants at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Uyo.
He advised them to be committed to the programme by ensuring that the palliative get to the targeted beneficiaries.
As a motivation, the Governor announced an increase in their monthly salary from N250, 000 to N500, 000 with effect from November 2024, an announcement that was received with uncontrollable joy and declaration of support for the Governor beyond 2027.
In a message of gratitude, the Dean of the College of Ward Personal Assistants, Aniefiok James, said they were overwhelmed by the Governor’s benevolence and deep commitment to their welfare and that of Akwa Ibom people in general.
He pledged the unwavering support of the college to the ARISE Agenda and the Governor’s political future.
At the meeting were the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Udeme Otong; Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, Executive Assistant/Chief Delivery Advisor, Mr. Aniefiok Johnson, State Chairman of the PDP, Elder Aniekan Akpan; Chief Asam Asam SAN, Senator Effiong Bob, and some members of the State Executive Council among others.
♦️ON THE DONATION OF ADDITIONAL 5 PATROL VEHICLE TO THE STATE’S POLICE COMMAND
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that the State continues to be peaceful and free from any form of criminality as he handed over to the State Police Command, five additional brand new patrol vehicles.
Presenting the vehicles on Friday, May 23, 2025, at the Government House, Uyo, the Governor assured that the State must, at all cost, be sanitized from all forms of criminality that might threaten its peaceful and secure ambience.
He explained that, the new donation is to compliment the earlier provision of 20 Toyota Hilux trucks to various security agencies to boost security operations in the state.
“I am willing to put everything we have to ensure that we do not allow criminality to thrive in this State. In view of this, we have added five additional Police patrol vehicles to the fleet of the State Police Command,” he said.
The Governor noted that the Police and other security agencies would continue to be assisted to carry out their jobs effectively for effective security of the State.
“We will continue to do this, not just for the police, but for the entire security architecture of the State,” he added.
Pastor Eno commended the State Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammad Assari, for a job well done, and urged him to continue to be on top of his duty for a crime-free Akwa Ibom.
“CP, you are doing well in your assignment. I received a good commendation from the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations a few days ago concerning your efficient and remarkable job delivery in the State.
“This is indeed good, because if we are to truly make Akwa Ibom State a tourist destination, all hands must be on deck. People must be able to value the security architecture of the State. People must be able to count on the peaceful nature of the State, which you have to promote.
“On behalf of the State Government, I hereby present these additional patrol vehicles to you; and, I hope you’ll continue to use them appropriately to fight criminality and ensure the safety of our people.”
Earlier, the Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammad Assari, appreciated the Governor for the vehicles, and pledged to continue to work harder to secure and make the State more peaceful and free of criminality.
CP Assari promised to ensure that the vehicles are properly deployed and utilized for their intended purposes, and thanked the Governor for his remarkable support and partnership with security agencies in the State, which he described as “second to none” in Nigeria.
The event was witnessed by members of the State Executive Council, and other government officials among others.
This is where I draw the curtain, till I bring you more exciting activities of the Governor in the coming week, which happen to be the 2nd Anniversary Thanksgiving week.
Pastor Solomon Essiet, ACIA
Writing from Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area, the Raffia City.
