By Solomon Essiet
The week in consideration is filled with unforgettable moments. Governor Eno was at the centre of it all, as Akwa Ibom women takes the shine, from rounding up the women’s sensitisation tour at Nsit Ubium Local Government Area, after visiting all the other 30 LGAs, to hosting the entire Nigerian women at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, for the International Women’s Day Celebration.
Special thanks goes to the Coordinator of the office of the First Lady, Mrs. Helen Eno Obareki and the Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, and the entire Women Executive Council in Akwa Ibom State, for coordinating the twin events within just one week, most especially, playing host to the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, successfully. Thank you Governor Eno for giving maximum support to Akwa Ibom women. Other activities of the Governor includes:-
✅Gov. Eno attended the Akwa Ibom State Government House Monthly Covenant Service, Sunday, (March 01)
✅Gov. Eno Superintendent over a peaceful conduct of APC State Congress, Tuesday, (March 03)
✅Gov. Eno received National Leadership and new IPAC State Executive Committee Members on Courtesy visit, Wednesday, (March 04)
✅Gov. Eno attended the grand finale of the Women’s Local Government sensitisation tour, at Nsit Ubium LGA, Announced the women empowerment of 20 million Naira for 369 wards, Friday, (March 06)
✅Gov. Eno paid an unscheduled visit to Ibom Model Farm, Friday, (March 06)
✅Gov. Eno inspected the Senior Citizens Centre and Godswill Akpabio International Stadium ahead of Senator Oluremi Tinubu’s visit slated for Saturday, March 07, 2026. Friday, (March 06)
✅Gov. Eno joined the wife of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, for the Commissioning of the Senior Citizens Centre, Saturday, (March 07)
✅Gov. Eno joined Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, and Senate President, Godswill Obot Akpabio, GCON, and Akwa Ibom women to celebrate the International Women’s Day, Saturday, (March 07).
♦️MATTERS ARISING
✔️ GOVERNOR GAVE MAXIMUM SUPPORT TO AKWA IBOM WOMEN
His Excellency, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, P.hD, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State is indeed a promise Keeper. On Friday, right there in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area, where he joined the whole Akwa Ibom women at their last Sensitisation tour of all the 31 Local Government Areas in the State, he announced a special empowerment package for women across the State.
According to the Governor, women across the 369 political wards in Akwa Ibom State, will receive 20 Million Naira per ward, through their respective cooperative societies to invest in their business.
The Governor stated that the gesture is in fulfillment of his campaign promises to empowering the women that stood by him during the last gubernatorial campaign and turning their support to votes for his landmark win, during the gubernatorial election in Akwa Ibom State.
The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, has been very consistent in supporting Akwa Ibom women. During the Townsquare meeting in 2025, of which the Governor visited the 10 Federal Constuencies that made up Akwa Ibom State, the women of Akwa Ibom State were the greatest beneficiaries under the category of Traders and Farmers cash support by the Governor. So many women also benefited under the equipment support programme of which most of the women went home with sewing machines, hair dryers and diverse sets of related equipments to support their businesses.
✔️AKWA IBOM WOMEN TAKES THE LEAD
In the spirit of Arise Agenda, Akwa Ibom Women are really rising to the occasion. In Nigeria, International Women’s Day is not only celebrated in Akwa Ibom State, but due to the visionary leadership of Akwa Ibom women, they planned ahead of the calender-event, hosting the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON and wives of all State Governors, some Senator’s wives and Minister’s wives, including other high profile career women, at the epoch making event, at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, on Saturday, March 07, 2026.
Governor Eno and Senate President Godswill Akpabio, GCON, were full of praises to the leadership of the women for their foresight in putting the event together. Hosting the entire Nigerian women in, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, is something to brag about, as it will further presents Akwa Ibom State as a choice destination, in line with our tourism roadmap in Akwa Ibom State.
The wife of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, spoke glowingly about how excited she was to be in Akwa Ibom State, regarding the extraordinary energy exhibited by the women and the Government of Akwa Ibom State, in according her and her entourage a very warm reception right from the Airport. According to her, she has never seen such love and energy elsewhere, from her personal experience. For me, that very remark was the high point of the event. She promised to continue doing her best to support Akwa Ibom women through her renewed hope initiatives and other loudable programmes of the Federal Government.
✔️AKWA IBOM WOMEN ENDORSED PRESIDENT TINUBU, SENATE PRESIDENT GODSWILL AKPABIO AND GOVERNOR ENO FOR RE-ELECTION IN 2027
During the International Women’s Day celebration, Akwa Ibom Women moved a motion to endorse President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, Senate President Godswill Obot Akpabio, GCON, and Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, P.hD for re-election come 2027.
According to the women, the trio have performed exceptionally in their respective offices and deserves to be supported for re-election for them to continue in their good work both at the National and Sub-National level of leadership.
The motion so moved was also documented and signed by the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, and the Coordinator of the office of the First Lady, Akwa Ibom State, Noble Lady, Helen Eno Obareki respectively.
♦️ON THE SENIOR CITIZENS CENTRE
Wife of the President of Nigeria, Distinguished Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, called for nationwide action to replicate Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno’s committed care and support for senior citizens.
Speaking at the commissioning of an ultra -modern senior citizens’ centre named after her by Governor Eno, the First Lady said she is always delighted with projects designed to cater for the elderly.
She appreciated the quality edifice built for the elderly by Governor Eno, stressing that the facility aligns with her vision for what an elderly citizens centre should look like.
The First Lady decried the fact that some senior citizens have become beggars due to ill health and inability to cater for their needs, and recalled that throughout her 12 years as a Senator, she was always having programmes for senior citizens.
While acknowledging that the initiative was a vision of the State’s departed First Lady, Pastor (Mrs.) Patience Umo Eno, she appreciated the Governor for advancing the vision and also for inviting her to commission the project.
She said the senior citizens’ centre is a lofty initiative which will not only provide a place for relaxation and recreation for the senior citizens, but will also make them to live younger in spirit and longer.
The First Lady also appreciated the Governor for localizing her Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Elderly Support Scheme, and for consistently providing support for senior citizens in the State, and also urged the Senate President to revisit a bill she proposed while at the National Assembly for a law in favour of senior citizens in the country.
In his remark, Governor Umo Eno appreciated the First Lady for accepting to visit the State for the commissioning of the centre and to celebrate the International Women’s Day with Akwa Ibom women.
He said the facility is the vision of his wife, Pastor Mrs Patience Eno, and formally named the centre as ‘Senator Oluremi Tinubu Senior Citizens Centre.’
The Governor who is known for his compassionate disposition, enumerated some of the strides by government to support the elderly including payment of backlog of arrears of gratuities, and monthly support for the elderly, adding that the senior citizens centre is a little way of appreciating them for their mentorship, and sacrifices to the State.
“This project aligns with your Renewed Hope Initiative, especially as it relates to elders’ care. This is our own little way of saying to our elders, thank you for your service, your mentorship and your love.
“In old age, you should not walk alone, we should show our gratitude for all you have toiled and sacrificed for our State. That is what my wife used to constantly remind me that we should and must do. And I am glad today, that we have gotten this Centre up and running.”
Governor Eno disclosed his administration’s vision to replicate the project in the other two Senatorial Districts of the State, and a plan to send a Bill to the State House of Assembly to enact a legislation for government care for elderly citizens in the State and urged the Speaker of the State House of Assembly to work towards ensuring the speedy passage of the bill.
He assured that his administration will stop at nothing to ensure that senior citizens are given due care.
“We are a Government that is deeply connected towards ensuring the welfare of our people, especially the elders.
“Permit me Your Excellency our Mother to thank you for the great work you started through the Elderly Support Scheme, a great initiative that my wife adopted and we domesticated it in our State.
“Today, we can proudly tell you that every month across the 369 wards in our State, 600 Elders are given fifty thousand naira (N50,000) each to care for their immediate needs. Quite a number of these elders have been enrolled in our State Medical Insurance Scheme free of charge.”
He commended the Delivery Advisor of the Project, Dr. Ita-Awan James for her sacrificial effort to interpret the dream through diligent and quality supervision.
He also thanked the Contractor, U&K Limited for the passion, dedication and professional engagement to ensure the timely delivery of the project.
On his part, Senate President Godswill Akpabio appreciated Governor Eno for naming the facility after the First Lady, and for his committed care for the senior citizens.
Coordinator Office of the First Lady, Lady Helen Obareki appreciated the First Lady for her mentorship and for honouring the memories of her departed mother, Pastor Patient Eno with her presence.
Presenting an overview of the Project, the Delivery Advisor, Dr. James said it was designed to cater for the needs of senior citizens of the State, most of whom, according to her, have been relegated and abandoned after years of dedicated services to the State.
Dr James who described the Governor as a pragmatic, passionate and compassionate leader, said the project was designed and equipped to provide care and comfort to the elderly, and with professional care givers to give a sense of belonging to the elders, noting that the facility has a clinic for necessary health care, as well as recreational facilities for different exercises and game rooms.
The event was attended by the wife of the Senate President, Dr. (Mrs) Unoma Akpabio, Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator (Mrs) Akon Eyakenyi, Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt Honourable Udeme Itong; Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim; Minister of State Petroleum Resources (gas), Obongemem Ekperikpe Ekpo; wives of State governors, Wives of national Assembly members, wives of Ministers, and others.
♦️ON WOMEN SENSITISATION TOUR
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, urged the women of Nsit Ubium Local Government Area, and others across the state, to rise up and take advantage of the cooperative initiative introduced by his administration to enhance their personal development and economic empowerment.
Speaking at the grand finale of women sensitization tour on civic responsibilities held at the Local Government Headquarters grounds, the Governor said the State government will inject N20 million into cooperative societies in each of the 369 wards of the State, and urged women to take active part in the initiative.
The Governor said all women empowerment programmes in the State will be channeled through cooperative societies for proper coordination, and called on women leaders across the State to appraise different businesses they can engage in.
He appreciated the women led by the Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, for taking the message of peace, unity and meaningful engagement to women in all the local government areas across the State.
The Governor said a special committee will be inaugurated to work with the Special Adviser on Bureau for Cooperative, Mrs Alice Ekpenyong, to drive the process and ensure optimisation.
He appreciated the women for their large turnout at the event, support for the ARISE Agenda, and commitment to supporting his re-election in 2027.
Earlier, the Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, said the event is aimed at appreciating the women for their support for the Governor in 2023 as well as supporting them through cooperative societies.
She said throughout the local government areas visited, the women have expressed delight over the Governor’s impactful leadership, support for the women, and also conveyed their willingness to support his re-election in 2027.
On her part, Coordinator Office of the First Lady, Lady Helen Obareki, appreciated the Governor for his women – inclusive style of leadership, saying that Akwa Ibom women are well represented at all levels of government.
She said the sensitization programme was to tell women to register and get their Permanent Voters Card and prepare to carry out their civic responsibility come 2027.
In their separate remarks, President General, Akwa Ibom Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers Council, Ntenyin Solomon Etuk; Political leader of Uyo Senatorial District, Senator Effiong Bob; state woman leader of the All Progressives Congress, Obonganwan Obonodo Uko; wife of the political leader of Uyo Senatorial District, Mrs Comfort Bob and wife of the Oku Ibom Ibibio and Paramount Ruler of Nsit Ubium, Akwa-Obongawan Philomena Etuk, appreciated the Governor for his genuine love and support for Akwa Ibom women.
♦️This is where I draw the curtain till I come your way again by next week, bringing more exciting news your way, directly from the office of the Governor of Akwa Ibom State.
Pastor Solomon Essiet, ACIA
Special Assistant on New Media to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State.
