Gov. Umo Eno: Latest target for relentless hunters

By Emmanuel Nicholas

In the promised land known as Akwa Ibom State, where fishermen cast their nets in Akwa Akpa Uruan and return home with fresh catfish, some fishermen from Baddik Eman navigate their canoes into the depths of Akpa Mfrikun, employing their river traps to catch crabs and prawns.

Later in the afternoon, the delectable fisherman’s soup is prepared and served at the dining tables of the people served alongside fufu as a delightful accompaniment.

With the assurance of hope and the dawning of a golden era, there are narratives, crafted by a prodigious talent, that delineate the monumental aspirations encapsulated within the Arise Agenda.

A man who has inscribed his vision, whose name reverberates through the valleys and hills of the Promised Land, is sought after wherever one may venture.

The name Umo Bassey Eno, is proclaimed as desired, not by the specters of crime or the murmurs of discontent, but by the very populace he has empowered and uplifted.

He stands as a compassionate leader, whose transformative leadership is a rare breed, a man whose heart beats with a rhythm of compassion, infused with deep, passionate humility.

He is a reconciliation expert, whose melodies compose only peace and unity. Like an excavator, he knows how to open the bottomless pit, bury hatred, and exhale love.

As an electrical engineer, he understands how to connect people who were once dwelling in strife and bring them to the altar of love, where they share a meal in unity.

He is wanted by the poorest of the poor, those whose lives have been moulded into the fabric of struggle and resilience. For them, he is not just a leader; he is a lifeline.

With the grace of a compassionate architect, he has built over 200 homes for homeless widows and widowers, and for those who navigate life with disabilities.

Governor Umo Eno laid each brick with sincere love and constructed the foundation with an avowed commitment to the mission of inclusivity. He is a sanctuary for souls seeking solace in a world that often forgets them.

The federal government of Nigeria sings his praises like an orchestral piece performed by a 100-piece band, and they calculate his superior performance like the mathematician Dr. Donald B. Rubin. They become perplexed because they see a rare breed in Governor Umo Eno.

They seek him for his audacity, for the way he challenges the status quo with a performance that shines like a lighthouse amidst a storm.

This sentiment was echoed profoundly by His Excellency Dr. Kashim Shettima, the Vice President, during the Arise Human Capacity Development launch, where he proclaimed, “I am not engaging in politics; I speak the unvarnished truth from the depths of my heart. This is a Governor in whom the President of our great nation harbours immense confidence.

The real reason why the Federal Government sought the support of Governor Umo Eno for marriage is based on performance and not political patronage. Listen to the Vice President once more:

He stated, “I commend Akwa Ibom, not only for Governor Eno’s outstanding performance but for daring to dream bigger. With an under-five mortality rate of 80, compared to the national average of 110, and only 3.5% of primary-age children out of school, far below the national average of 25.6%, Akwa Ibom is not merely compliant with our national vision; it is ahead of the curve. I assure you, the federal government, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stands ready to partner hand-in-hand with Akwa Ibom.”

However, in the eyes of the business community in Akwa Ibom State, he is the most sought-after ally, a visionary who has empowered entrepreneurs with grants exceeding 10 billion Naira.

This is why, in every corner of the state, you see enterprises growing as rapidly as vegetables, employing the jobless population and energizing the local economy.

His name is whispered in the bustling markets of Urua Akpan Andem, in the crowded Urua Itam, on Ofion Aran Market day. Urua Obo Annag speaks the language of Umo Eno, and during Edere Etaha, the traders of Urua Ekpo Nwa sing acapella songs in honour of Governor Umo Eno.

Why do the traders jubilate and declare him a hero? They have found a friend in him, as he has gifted each of them with grants of five hundred thousand Naira, totaling about 3 billion Naira, breathing life into their businesses through recapitalization.

Skilled workers, too, have raised their voices in unison, declaring him wanted for the tools he has provided—over three thousand workers equipped to embark on their entrepreneurial journeys.

With each piece of equipment, he has not only given them the means to earn but has also ignited the flames of self-reliance and dignity.

In the rural expanses, where the children were dying because of like of medical facilities, the people cried out for his leadership.

They have declared him wanted for the primary health centers he has established, sanctuaries of healing that address the health crises affecting their communities. With each center, he has planted the seeds of life, reducing mortality rates and nurturing the promise of a healthier future.

To the families who once faced the abyss of hunger, he is the most sought-after saviour. Pastor Umo Bassey Eno has reached into the depths of despair, providing sustenance to over 30,000 families who were once deprived of food.

In every grain of rice, every morsel of bread, and every cup of garri and beans, he has restored dignity and hope, reminding them that they are seen, valued, and loved.

Their tables are no longer empty, their stomachs no longer suffer from the ravages of hunger, and their hearts are no longer troubled by what to eat because Governor Umo Eno has provided them with sufficient food and taught them how to cultivate more through farming.

In a world where leaders often wear the cloak of indifference, Umo Bassey Eno stands apart, a figure of warmth and unwavering resolve. He is wanted not for the power he wields, but for the love he shares, for the lives he transforms, and for the legacy he is crafting, a legacy that speaks of inclusion, empowerment, and the profound belief that every life matters.

As people reach out to seek Governor Umo Eno, they call his name not out of fear, but with respect. Umo Bassey Eno, the leader in demand, exemplifies the strength of compassionate governance and serves as a reminder that genuine leadership is not about holding power, but about uplifting others.

In the hearts of his people, he is not just wanted; he is cherished, celebrated, and eternally etched in the annals of their shared journey towards a brighter future.