By: Solomon Essiet
At a time when responsible leadership is an issue all over the world, God has blessed Akwa Ibom State with a good leader who is responsive to the yearnings of the people. Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, is the people’s Governor, loved by all well-meaning Akwa Ibomites. Some of his activities in the week under review are as follows:-
✅ Gov. Eno honoured with an Award as Nigeria’s Most Labour-Friendly Governor, by Trade Union Congress, Saturday, April 26, 2025
✅ Gov. Eno felicitated with Okon Okon and wife on their birthday at RCCG, Dominion Mega Parish, Sunday, April 27, 2025
✅ Gov. Eno honoured with an Excellence Award by the Nigerian Police Command, AKS, Sunday, April 27, 2025
✅ Gov. Eno inspected some tractors received by the State Government to boost Agriculture, Monday, April 28, 2025
✅ Gov. Eno joined the Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), on their retreat’s opening session, Monday, April 28, 2025
✅ Gov. Eno attended Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency’s Town Square Meeting and Empowerment programme, Tuesday, April 29, 2025
✅ Gov. Eno inspected Ukanafun General Hospital under construction, Tuesday, April 29, 2025
✅ Gov. Eno unveiled TAJBank LTD, Uyo Branch, Tuesday, April 29, 2025
✅ Gov. Eno doles out brand new official cars to some of his Aides, Tuesday, April 29, 2025
✅ Gov. Eno made a special appearance on Comfort 95.1Fm, to cheer Mighty George to victory, Wednesday, April 30, 2025
✅ Gov. Eno led RMAFC’s Chairman, Dr. Mohammed Bello, and Others to Arise Resort for inspection, Wednesday, April 30, 2025
✅ Gov. Eno received the Nigerian Air Force War College on a Study Tour to Akwa Ibom, Thursday, May 01, 2025
✅ International Workers’ Day: Akwa Ibom NLC, TUC passed a vote of confidence on Gov. Umo Eno, Thursday, May 01, 2025
✅ Gov. Eno attended the Government House Monthly Covenant Service, Thursday, May 01, 2025
✅ Gov. Eno presented N155 Million Naira cheques to LGAs, who participated at Christmas Unplugged Season 2.0, Friday, May 02, 2025
✅ Gov. Eno received the Unity Torch for the National Sport Festival taking place in Ogun State, May 16th to 30th, Friday, May 02, 2025
✅ Gov. Presented cheques to the immediate past LGA elected officers, Friday, May 02, 2025.
✅ Gov. Eno celebrated the newly inaugurated Methodist Archdiocese of Oron and the enthronement of the pioneer Archbishop, His Grace, Most Rev. (Dr.) Emmanuel Udofia, JP, Friday, May 02, 2025
✅ Gov. Eno attended the wedding ceremony of Mr. Isaiah and Patience, at ANCMI, Eket, Saturday, May 03, 2025
Convicted that all-inclusive governance is best for Akwa Ibom State, Governor Eno consulted widely across party lines right from the beginning of his administration, seeking inputs on the best way to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people of Akwa Ibom State. His efforts yielded a great result in just two years, as Akwa Ibomites are very much at home with his leadership style.
In education, Governor Eno has constructed a number of Model Schools across the State, starting from Christ The King Primary School, Wellington Bassey Way, popularly known as CKS. Governor Umo Eno has a plan to have a model School in each of the Local Government Areas. Thus, in phase 2 of one project per Local Government Area, any Local Government Area that picked a Model Healthcare Centre in phase 1 would have to choose a Model School in phase 2. The Governor of Akwa Ibom State is intentional about ensuring that the standard of education, most especially at the primary level, is raised higher. To this effect, all the Model Schools are completed with State-of-the-art facilities such as constant Solar-powered lighting and water, well well-equipped Library, a Computer Laboratory, accommodation for the head teacher, staff quarters, school bags, books, and school uniform for pupils.
In the area of Entrepreneurial Development, Governor Eno has trained, certified, and empowered over 2000 youth through the Ibom Leadership and Entrepreneurial Development Centre, IBOM-LED. Similarly, over 200 youth have been trained and empowered through the Dakkada Skill Acquisition Centre, DASAC, the beneficiaries enjoyed the State Government sponsorship. Governor Umo Eno has done a lot to develop the youth of Akwa Ibom State. In terms of human capital development, the Governor has sponsored several youths overseas to further their studies in areas that are considered beneficial to the State, such as Aviation, Engineering, Agriculture, Tourism, and Medical.
Governor Umo Eno is the people’s Governor. This is a title for another article. Do you know that the 2026 budget is christened “The People’s Budget”?. Thus, the Governor is visiting the Federal Constituencies in what he captioned a Town-Square meeting, to meet with the people of different Federal Constituencies and collect a need documents that will form part of his 2026 budget. To date, He has visited Abak, Oron, Ikot Ekpene, and Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituencies. About 6 more to go. As Akwa Ibom State is made up of 10 Federal Constituencies. This is a practical demonstration of effective and selfless leadership.
♦️ON UKANAFUN/ORUK ANAM TOWN-SQUARE MEETING
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, empowered 405 people with business grants, cars, and other packages, at a Town Square meeting with the people of Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency.
At the meeting held at QIC Central School, Ikot Akpa Nkuk, Ukanafun Local Government Area, 154 constituents benefited from the Traders Grant, 116 benefited from the
Farmers Grant, four got N5 Million each for the MSME Grant, and 131 were beneficiaries of the equipment support initiative.
Speaking at the event, the Governor tasked the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the resources put at their disposal, warning beneficiaries to desist from deploying it to ponzi schemes or any other unintended purpose.
The Governor said he was determined to ensure that his administration is indeed a government of the people, for the people, and by the people, adding that the town square is an avenue to meet and interact with the people, feel their pulse, and ascertain their needs to be included in the 2026 budget.
“We need to meet with the people from time to time to see them. It’s not only during elections that we should come to see our people. We also have to come and see you in the course of governance, to check your well-being, to listen to you, tell you what we have done, and what we are planning to do.
This is the fourth federal constituency we have visited, we have six more to go, and we will finish all in time for the budget department to capture the needs in the 2026 budget.
“We will go through your requests and tell you the ones we have decided to do, based on available funds. We might not be able to do all, but whatever is left we will add to subsequent budgets.
“We will always work with the people because this government is of the people, for the people, and by the people,” he added.
The Governor, who later stopped to inspect the ongoing construction of a general hospital in Ukanafun, directed that the contractor should double efforts to ensure that it is completed before September 2025.
Presenting the needs document of the federal Constituency, a former House of Representatives member and Political leader of Ukanafun LGA, Obong Eno Akpan, applauded the Governor for the laudable projects executed in the area, and also expressed hope that their needs as contained in the document, will be captured in the 2026 budget accordingly.
He assured that the people of the Federal Constituency will continue to support Governor Eno beyond 2027.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the ruling PDP in the State, Elder Aniekan Akpan, affirmed the support of the elders to the Governor’s leadership philosophy, his projects and programmes across the State, and especially, for enhancing a united Akwa Ibom State.
He said the PDP had earlier in the year endorsed Governor Eno for a second term, which, according to hi,m opened the floodgates for chains of endorsement across all the federal constituencies.
The Deputy State Chairman of APC, Dr Umo Essien, said the leadership style of Pastor Umo Eno has endeared him to all across party lines, and pledged the support of his party to the Governor’s reelection in 2027.
Other speakers included the Commissioner for Science and Digital Economy,Dr. Frank Ekpenyong, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ekem Emmanuel John, Paramount Ruler of Ukanafun LGA, Akuku Engr. Amos Akpan, Ukanafun Local Government Chairman, Prince Uyo Ukpanah, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Labour Matters, Sir Udo Kierian Akpan, who all described the Governor as a man with unique leadership qualities who is committed to the well-being of his people, while assuring of continuous support.
While setting the tone, Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, said the Town Square was borne out of the Governor’s desire to ensure inclusivity, and applauded the Governor for his leadership and for the appointments of several aides from the federal Constituency.
Highpoint of the event was the endorsement of Governor Eno for a second term following a motion moved by the member representing the area in the House of Representatives, Hon. Unyime Idem, and seconded by the Deputy Chief Whip of the State House of Assembly, Hon.Sampson Idiong.
♦️ON VISIT TO ARISE RESORT BY GOV. ENO AND RMAFC CHAIRMAN
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, over the week appealed to the Revenue Mobilization Allocation And Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), to make funds available for the State Government’s ongoing gully erosion reclamation and construction of world-class, Ibom ARISE Resort.
Briefing the Chairman and officials of RMAFC during a facility tour of the resort along Dominic Utuk Avenue, Uyo, Governor Eno disclosed that the project is a complete reclamation and transformation of an erstwhile dreaded gully erosion disaster site into a resort of international standard.
“We are not just reclaiming an erosion site of 70 hectares of land, which is huge. We are here turning the disaster site to a resort of high economic value. Mr. Chairman, seeing is believing,” he said.
He appealed to the Commission for funding as the project is massive and worth the investment for the good and benefit of the people, the State, and Nigeria.
“Mr. Chairman, this is our story. We need help. The State Government alone cannot do this. We have already put in billions of Naira in reclamation alone.
“This is a world-class project that we are building. We really need funding to complete it. So, we appeal that you please assist us to complete this project on time for use.”
The Governor said that the project is part of the State’s strategy to diversify its economy, in accordance with RMAFC’s advice on state governments to vigorously pursue financial independence.
The Governor thanked the Commission for selecting and approving the State to host its retreat, saying that the approval has afforded the State the opportunity to take the team on a tour of the facility for their full grasp of the extent of the project.
Responding, the Commission’s Chairman, Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu, commended Governor Eno for his visionary and transformative leadership, describing the project as remarkable and a model for other state governments.
Dr. Shehu reiterated the Commission’s continuous call for states to diversify their economy, explaining that the Ibom ARISE Resort is an exceptional example of the diversification that the Commission have been advocating for States in the country.
The Chairman assured the Governor that the commission will give the application the attention that it deserves.
The Ibom ARISE Resort is a world-class resort project that will boost recreation, hospitality, and sporting activities in the state.
♦️ON PAYMENT OF SEVERANCE BENEFITS TO IMMEDIATE PAST LGA ELECTED OFFICERS
To underscore his visionary and pragmatic leadership strides tilted towards ensuring a people-centric governance, the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, presented cheques of severance benefits to the immediate past elected officers across the 31 Local Government Councils in the State.
Presenting the cheques during an interactive session at the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs grounds, Government House, Uyo, Governor Eno hinted that the payment is for the immediate past elected Chairmen, Vice-Chairmen, and Councillors of all the Local Government Councils who served within the 2020 and 2023 political dispensation.
Represented by Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, the Governor noted that the gesture is in fulfillment of his electioneering campaign promise to the grassroots politicians for their selflessness, support, and loyalty.
He appreciated their sacrifices during the electioneering campaigns, attributing his emergence as Governor to their unwavering commitment, loyalty and support as grassroot mobilizers of their respective wards and local Government Areas.
The Governor, therefore, commended the former elected officers for their excellent services and contributions to the state’s development and urged them to remain committed and steadfast in their support to his administration.
He told them that his administration has set up modalities to fast-track the alignment of all past leaders towards ensuring that they are rewarded accordingly for their sacrifices in terms of contracts and business patronage, urging them to keep themselves abreast of the ARISE Portal programming to enable them to bid and secure advertised jobs and projects.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Honourable Frank Archibong, appreciated the Governor for what he termed a transparent, inclusive, and selfless leadership style, describing it as unprecedented in the political evolution of the State.
Archibong thanked the Governor for proving himself as a man of integrity by keeping to his words having fulfilled his campaign promises to the people, as exemplified by his timely payment of the severance benefit to the past elected local Government officers.
He enjoined beneficiaries to reciprocate the good gesture by not sitting on the fence but to actively participate in the development process of the Arise Agenda, stressing that their good deeds would bear good fruits and also speak for them positively.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Power and the immediate past Chairman of ALGON, Hon Iniobong Robson, extolled Governor Umo Eno for the speedy release of funds to clear off the severance packages, the fastest so far, praying God to bless the Governor.
On his part, the Chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria, (ALGON) Akwa Ibom chapter, Dr Uwenedimo Udo, appreciated Governor Umo Eno for keeping his promise and for giving Algon members a pride of place in his administration through appointments as Commissioners, Chairmen of Boards, members, Special Assistants, etc.
He pledged unalloyed loyalty to the Governor, and to support him every step of the way.
A beneficiary and former Councillor of Ward 7 in Uyo LGA, Honourable Hillary Augustine Udi, expressed gratitude to Governor Umo Eno for his remarkable leadership quality, describing him as an honest and compassionate leader whose words are sacred bond and seal of integrity, pledging that they will continually be loyal and supportive to him irrespective of his political inclination.
Another beneficiary, the immediate past Vice Chairman, Itu LGA, Hon. Emem Ekpanya, commended the Governor for being an exceptional leader and father whose words constitute his bond by effortlessly fulfilling his promise devoid of the usual struggles and fights experienced in the past and on behalf of the beneficiaries pledged their unwavering loyalty to the Governor, wishing him a smooth tenure of office.
This is where I draw the curtain till I come your way next week with more exciting activities, the people’s Governor.
Pastor Solomon Essiet, ACIA
Writing from Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area, the Raffia City.
