As part of activities marking the two-year anniversary of Governor Umo Eno’s administration, particularly in strengthening diaspora relations and mobilizing resources for homeland development, the Akwa Ibom State Directorate of Diaspora Matters, led by Hon. Linda Akon Umoh, featured on a special live radio program on Arise Akwa Ibom aired on Comfort FM.
The media chat aimed to assess the performance of Governor Umo Eno’s government in relation to diaspora engagement and to foster transparency, accountability, and trust—key ingredients in closing the long-standing gap between the diaspora community and the state government.
There is no gainsaying that the live broadcast significantly contributed to bridging the communication gap between the government and its diaspora citizens. This engagement underscores the administration’s commitment to openness and accountability, serving as a model for sustained diaspora participation in governance.
Speaking in her dual capacity as the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Diaspora Matters and the Akwa Ibom State Diaspora Focal Person, Hon. Umoh reaffirmed Governor Umo Eno’s unwavering commitment to the welfare and inclusion of the diaspora community in the state’s development agenda.
The essence of the program was to transparently share the government’s strategies for rebuilding trust and effectively utilizing diaspora-linked resources for developmental projects and programs.
In her remarks, Hon. Umoh noted that, just as in more advanced democracies, no government that aligns with the people’s interests would shy away from public scrutiny. Governor Umo Eno’s administration welcomes dialogue and constructive feedback, standing out as a people-driven government committed to the legitimate aspirations of Akwa Ibomites worldwide. This gives clear justification for the development of an official web portal that will be integrated to the official government website with the objective of sustaining the diaspora trust building process.
Key highlights of the discussion included:
*• Skills and Knowledge Transfer:* Emphasis on fostering a globally competitive knowledge economy with ongoing collaborative efforts with Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) in Calgary, Canada.
*• AKWA IBOM–ALBERTA INVESTMENT ROUNDTABLE:* A historic summit of Canadian MLAs with Akwa Ibom professionals in exploring opportunities for economic diversification and bilateral ties between Nigeria and Canada.
*• 2024 National Diaspora Day organized by Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NIDCOM:* administrative efficiency for the operations of the Akwa Ibom diaspora focal person.
*• Heritage and Diaspora Tourism:* The demand pull with the attraction of the 32-day Christmas Unplugged festival and the completion of the world-class Arise Park recreation resort.
Hon. Umoh also applauded Governor Umo Eno’s continued support for creating platforms that connect the diaspora community with key sectors of the state’s economy, especially with the upcoming Corporate Summit and Tourism Summit.
In her closing remarks at Comfort FM, Hon. Umoh celebrated the remarkable achievement of George Iniabasi Essien, popularly known as Mighty George, Head of Programs at Comfort FM. She praised his Guinness World Record feat for the longest marathon hosting of a radio talk show, saying:
“Wow! What a remarkable display of endurance, passion, and broadcasting excellence. Congratulations, and thank you for making Akwa Ibom proud!”
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— Media Unit, Akwa Ibom State Directorate on Diaspora Matters
