Governor Eno: When happy birthday is not enough

By Solomon Essiet

The Bible teaches us to number our days, and birthdays give us a moment to pause, reflect and give thanks. But when the person being celebrated is the Chief Public Servant of a state, the celebration must go beyond age and goodwill. It must also speak to service, impact and the visible marks of leadership.

On this note, I join family, friends, well-wishers and the good people of Akwa Ibom State to celebrate the 62nd birthday of my boss, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, Governor of Akwa Ibom State. I celebrate him not only for the gift of life, but for the volume of work his administration has continued to undertake across the state within a short period in office.

For me, simply saying “happy birthday” to the Governor is not enough. A birthday tribute to a leader who is actively shaping communities must also acknowledge the projects, reforms and development efforts being pursued under his watch. That is why I consider it important to highlight some of the ongoing projects being executed simultaneously as the Governor continues to advance the ARISE Agenda and consolidate his first-term achievements.

Under the Direct Labour Committee, the administration is working on key projects such as the Governor’s Office Annex, AKWA-GIS, the renovation of the AKADEP Head Office, youth-friendly centres, the One Project Per Local Government initiative under Phase Two, and the Judiciary Village.

Through the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, the Chairman’s Lodge project also reflects the administration’s effort to strengthen local governance infrastructure and improve the working environment for local government leadership.

In the Ministry of Special Duties and Ibom Deep Seaport, several strategic projects are also ongoing. These include the Ibom International Convention Centre, Ibom International Hotel, Itam Industrial Park, the International Market in Ikot Ekpene, St. Frances Perimeter Fence, the Court of Appeal project, and major aviation-related works at the airport.

The airport projects alone speak to a serious development vision. They include the taxiway and apron, the construction of the international terminal building, the apron for the new international terminal, the 1.814-kilometre access road to the terminal building, the hangar floor, the high-quality security operational fence at Victor Attah International Airport, the road from the administrative building to the car park and VIP hangar, the installation of airfield lighting systems, the development of analytic IP cameras, and continued attention to Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort.

The Oron maritime and transport corridor is also receiving attention through the Oron Maritime Infrastructure project and the Ibom City Bus Service. These are not isolated projects. They point to a broader transportation and economic development plan designed to connect people, goods and opportunities.

In the health sector, the administration is pursuing projects that touch the lives of ordinary citizens directly. These include Ibom International Hospital, General Hospital Ukanafun, General Hospital Ibiono Ibom, General Hospital Ikot Ekpene, General Hospital Iquita in Oron, the Airport Clinic, and General Hospital Ikot Ekpene Udo.

AKICORP-related projects further show the Governor’s focus on investment, assets and long-term state value. These include the AKICORP Building, Ibom Hotel and Apartments in Abuja, Ibom Tower in Lagos, and Ewet Luxury Gardens Estate.

Agriculture has not been left behind. The Ibom Model Farm, Ibom Equipment Leasing Company, Dakkada Global Oil Palm and AKADEP are part of the administration’s effort to strengthen food production, support farmers and expand the state’s productive base.

In the area of internal security and waterways, projects such as the Command and Control Centre, Correctional Centre and Counter Terrorist Unit Base demonstrate a commitment to safety, order and institutional readiness.

The Ministry of Housing also has major ongoing projects, including the Aviation Village, Doctors’ Residence, Executive and Legislative Quarters, and Uyo Village Road Estate. These projects are part of the physical foundation needed for a modern, functional and growing state.

Other important projects include Arise Shopping City, Arise Park Beach Villas, AKBC projects, the Model Secondary School, the Senior Citizens’ Centre and the Nigeria for Women Project. This list is not exhaustive. In truth, the administration has about 86 different projects in various stages of completion across the state.

In the coming months, many of these projects are expected to be commissioned one after another. That is the kind of leadership that speaks through work, not noise. It is a clear testament to Governor Eno’s commitment to delivering meaningful dividends of democracy to the people of Akwa Ibom State.

From public perception, Governor Umo Eno stands out as one of the few governors in the history of Akwa Ibom State handling such a wide range of projects simultaneously. I stand to be corrected. But what cannot be denied is that his administration has given the people visible reasons to believe that governance can be steady, compassionate and development-driven.

So, on this special day, I do not want to stop at saying happy birthday. I want to say thank you, Your Excellency. Thank you for the life-changing projects. Thank you for the calm leadership. Thank you for the vision, focus and courage to keep working for Akwa Ibom State.

On behalf of my family, I heartily wish Your Excellency a very happy and fulfilling 62nd birthday. Please accept the assurances of our highest regards.

Arise, that same God.

Essiet, ACIA
Special Assistant on New Media to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State