You and Your Governor
By: Solomon Essiet
Within the week under review, Governor Eno took the 2-Day Monthly delivery meeting of August from the meeting room to 23 project sites. Some other activities of the Governor include:-
✅Gov. Eno represented by a designated team at the AKISAN Convention, USA, Saturday, August 09, 2025
✅Gov. Eno paid condolence visit to Charles Udoh over brother’s demise, Tuesday, August 12, 2025
✅Gov. Eno ordered the recommencement of Arise Food Security Distribution, Phase 3, Tuesday, August 12, 2025
✅Governor Eno visited Aviation Village and Dakkada Luxury Estate, Tuesday, August 12, 2025
✅Gov. Eno led the project delivery team and delivery advisors to 13 project sites for inspection, Thursday, August 14, 2025
✅Gov. Eno ordered demolition of illegal structures at Tropicana Complex, Thursday, August 14, 2025
✅Gov. Eno led the project delivery team and delivery advisors to 9 project sites, for inspection, Friday, August 15, 2025
✅Gov. Eno represented by Prince Enobong Uwah, Secretary to State Government at the burial of Late Sir Emmanuel Udoh, Charles Udoh’s brother, Friday, August 15, 2025
✅Gov. Eno honoured as Grand Patron of Victory High School Alumni, 1981 set, Saturday, August 16, 2025
✅Gov. Eno attended the Monthly Prayer Service at the Latter House Chapel, Government House, Uyo, Saturday, August 16, 2025.
♦️MATTERS ARISING
In a practical attempt to monitoring the project execution across the State, Governor Eno adopted a different approach towards the 2-Day In-house Monthly Delivery Meeting, by visiting the project sites captured in the itinerary between Thursday and Friday, 14th – 15th August, 2025. Some of the project sites visited are as follows:-
✔️Ibom International Hospital
✔️ Senior Citizens Centre
✔️ Medical Village
✔️Citi-Bus/CNG Terminal
✔️Ibom Convention Center/Hotel
✔️Arise Shopping City
✔️ Judiciary Village
✔️Command and Control Center
✔️ AKICORP Building
✔️ Governor’s office Annex
✔️AKBC House
✔️AKWAGIS Building
✔️Uyo Village Road
✔️Ibom Model Farm
✔️ Equipment Leasing Company
✔️ Aviation Village
✔️ Airport Clinic
✔️ International Terminal
✔️Nsit Atai-Okobo Road
✔️ Executive/State Legislative Quarters
✔️Ewet Housing Luxury Gardens Estate.
All the above listed project sites were visited by the Project Delivery team and Delivery Advisors, led by the performing Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno Ph.D. The exercise was both rigorous and worthwhile as the Governor had the opportunity of interfacing with the various contractors and site Engineers, including a number of workers, skilled and unskilled at different projects site visited. Like the Governor opined during the Monthly Covenant Service at the Government House, Uyo, seeing Akwa Ibom youths getting engaged productively at various sites was another angle that showcased the true spirit of the Arise Agenda. And the Governor did not hide his admiration for the hardworking youths as he gave them some money order than their usual pay to encourage them.
The number of project currently ongoing in the State is huge and has successfully taken our teeming youth out of the street. Ideally, the Governor has emphasized that everyone should take their destiny into their hands. Especially the youth. The employment portal is also open for people to apply and be gainfully employed to work in the State’s civil service. The State Government is intentional about providing jobs to our teeming youth through various youth engagement platforms, such as Ibom leadership and Entrepreneurial Development Center, IBOM-LED, and Dakkada Skill Acquisition Centre, DASAC. Due to the enabling environment provided by the State Government, different private Companies are coming into Akwa Ibom State daily to establish their businessess in Akwa Ibom State, ranging from Banks to Engineering firms. It is left for our youth to take an advantage of these opportunities by getting involved the best way possible. All over the world, no one pays anybody for being handsome or beautiful. You will be paid for the value you successfully brought to the table. So I encourage our youth to brace up, add value and get paid. The future belongs to the value ‘additioners’ if that is an English word. Governor Umo Eno is leading the State with passion. The number of ongoing projects, when completed towards the end of his first term in office, will undoubtedly put the State in a serious vantage position, to compete favourably with other States in Nigeria and West Africa.
♦️ON SITE’S PROJECT INSPECTION
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, concluded a two – day intensive projects inspection across the State, expressing delight at the large number of people, especially youths, engaged at the different projects sites.
Fielding questions from Government House correspondents at the ARISE Resort, the last point of the inspection exercise, he said the on-site projects delivery meeting was motivated by a management philosophy referred to as Management By Walking Around (MBWA), and the need for an on – the – spot – assessment of the projects.
“You must be able to physically see your projects or the things you are supervising. We have visited 23 project sites in two days, and we have not even reached half, but the truth is, this gives us an on the spot idea. The Commissioners, Contractors and every Delivery Advisor have an on the spot view, an assessment of the projects,” he said.
The Governor said the visit also afforded the team an opportunity to make lots of input and inject new ideas to ensure that the projects meet the desired need of the people.
He commended Akwa Ibom youths for their active involvement at the different projects sites. He called on other youths to shun every sense of entitlement and get involved for their individual good and that of the State at large.
“In all the sites we have visited, what interests me so much, as you saw by yourself, is the number of young people that these projects have engaged.
“Everywhere we went to, we were received by crowds of young men and women working on site, be it the engineers, skilled workers or unskilled ones. In fact, there is a site where we have female Civil Engineers as Managing Directors of their respective organizations. It gives me that joy that we are bringing out our youths, and I feel happy.
“We thank God, and what I can say to our young people is to leave every sense of entitlement. Government will not bring money to anybody at home. But for every young man and woman who is ready to work, Akwa Ibom State today provides that opportunity for our young people, craftsmen, skilled men and skilled women to work. All of the 23 projects we have been to, you have seen it yourselves,” he added.
While encouraging young people who are yet to take advantage of the numerous opportunities, he said, “Money moves and gets into the hands of people that think and work with their hands. I am certain that we will continue to make progress in the Arise Agenda under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope .So we must continue to work for our people.
“Look at the Okobo road, for 16 years, that project could not be completed. Five Contractors have changed hands, but today, we are just two months away from full completion. What then would you say? I met a female project Engineer at that site. So even our young ladies and men, we need to see, and use the opportunity that God has given to us,” the Governor said.
He noted that the State under his leadership will continue to serve the general interest of the people, rather than the interest of a few.
According to him, “These projects are my rewards to Akwa Ibom people. That’s what they campaign for – good governance, and transparency, that’s what they campaigned for. 354,000 people voted for me, to provide good leadership which is what we are doing.
“We are providing the enabling environment, we are giving contracts, the Aviation village, the Medical City, the Judiciary Quarters, the Legislative and Executive Quarters. Between all of those projects, we have almost done 400 Housing Units, who will construct them? Go to the Judiciary Quarters and see our young people building. So they have work to do.
“This kind of thing gives me joy, and particularly, for those kinds of people who really want to work. So, I am happy for the two days; stressful no doubt, but am I happy?” he said.
Some of the projects sites visited included; Arise Senior Citizens Center at Ikono/Ibiono Ibom Local Government Areas, CNG Bus Terminal at Odiok Itam, Itu Local Government Area, Flood Control project at Itu Local Government Area, Road Construction project at Uyo Village road, Uyo Local Government Area, Judiciary Officers Quarters at Ring Road III, International Convention Center and Arise Shopping City.
Also in the list were Ibom Model Farm, Nsit Ubium Local Government Area, Agricultural Equipment Leasing Facility at Ekpri Nsukara, Uyo, International Terminal, Airport Clinic, Aviation Village and other projects at the Victor Attah International Airport, Nsit Atai – Okobo Road, and Executive/Legislative Quarters at the Dakadda Luxury Estate, Command and Control Center, and the ARISE Resort.
♦️ON THE AKISAN CONVENTION, USA
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, called on the Akwa Ibom diaspora in the United States to leverage their skills, professional networks, and resources to drive tourism, investment, and cultural heritage promotion in their home state. The Governor made this known in a message delivered by Noble Lady Helen Obareki, Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, during the 38th Annual Convention of the Akwa Ibom State Association of Nigeria, USA, Inc. (AKISAN), held at the Marriott Hotel, Arlington, Virginia.
Extending warm felicitations to attendees at the Convention Gala, Governor Eno commended AKISAN for sustaining the state’s cultural values and fostering unity among Akwa Ibom indigenes abroad. He urged members to adopt a model of “backward integration,” similar to other diaspora communities like the Chinese and Indians, by channeling education, technology, and business connections toward the state’s socio-economic growth.
“How can you bring investments, transfer technology, and use your platforms to promote our state’s rich tourism potential?” the Governor asked, citing attractions such as Ikot Abasi’s historic castle, ONNA’s pottery industry, and Ikot Ekpene’s raffia craft as untapped goldmines.
Governor Eno spotlighted Dr. Itawan James, a US-trained professional who returned home to spearhead the world-class Arise Senior Citizens’ Centre, now set for commissioning. He challenged other diaspora members to emulate her example of service and impact.
In a major announcement, the Governor expressed readiness to host the 2026 AKISAN Convention in Uyo, urging the association to begin immediate planning with the State Government. He also redeemed his $5,000 pledge from last year’s convention to the winner of a native dialect competition, reinforcing his passion for preserving indigenous language.
Highlighting his administration’s tourism-focused projects, Governor Eno revealed plans for the Arise Resorts, a mini-Disneyland with luxury facilities, alongside a 5,000-seater international conference centre, a five-star hotel, a shopping mall, and a world-class hospital.
AKISAN President, Engr. Mbong Ekiko, in his remarks, appreciated the Governor for consistently identifying with the association and for sending a five-person delegation to represent the State at the 38th Convention. He assured that AKISAN would continue to work closely with the state government to deepen the implementation of the Arise Agenda and support the government’s laudable projects and programmes.
The convention also featured a Governor’s Townhall Meeting, where the accomplishments of the Eno-led administration over the past two years were presented by the State Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Umanah.
Highlights of the three-day event included the Women’s Summit, Children’s Summit, and Business and Technology Summit, all aimed at fostering empowerment, skills development, and innovation within the Akwa Ibom diaspora community.
The State delegation to the event comprised Rt. Hon. Aniekan Umanah, Commissioner for Information; Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, Former Secretary to the State Government; Dr. Inemesit Uwah, Wife of the Secretary to the State Government; and Dr. Itawan James, Delivery Advisor of the Arise Senior Citizens’ Centre.
The 2025 AKISAN Convention attracted Akwa Ibom people from different parts of the United States and Nigeria, uniting the global Akwa Ibom family in a celebration of heritage, achievement, and a shared vision for the state’s future.
♦️This is where I draw the curtain, till I bring you more exciting news of the Governor’s activities from the office of the Governor. Stay with me, this is ‘You and Your Governor’.
Pastor Solomon Essiet, ACIA
Special Assistant on New Media to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State.
