Gov. Eno’s weekly recap: Let little children come to me

You and Your Governor with Solomon Essiet

Governor Eno has maintained the right focus in his administration, delivering steadily on the ARISE Agenda. He has refused to be distracted by people who cannot see anything good about the Golden Era administration, despite his superlative performance in office from day one.

His love for children remains paramount. The same way he played with children during the last gubernatorial campaign, even now in governance, nothing has changed about who the Governor is in his relationship with the people, young or old.

Just as recorded in the Book of Matthew 19:14, when Jesus commanded his disciples to allow the little children to come to him, on two occasions within the week under review, Governor Eno broke all protocols to give children unhindered access to him, even while he was on a project inspection in one instance, stating that they are our future leaders.

Other activities carried out by Governor Eno are as follows: Gov. Eno congratulated DCP Anthony Okon on his emergence as the new Police Spokesperson, Sunday, March 8.

Gov. Eno worshipped at Liberty Gospel Church, Calabar, Sunday, March 8, Gov. Eno paid an unscheduled visit to the 60-Unit House of Assembly and Commissioners’ Quarters at Dakkada Luxury Estate, Sunday, March 8.

Other site inspections included the AkwaGIS Building, Command and Control Centre, AKICORP House, Governor’s Office Annex, and IBC Complex to assess the progress of work.

Gov. Eno met with the Vice Chancellor of AKSU, Professor Otoabasi Etim, and his team members on Monday, March 9. Gov. Eno condoled with Pastor Okon Ikene over the demise of his wife, Wednesday, March 11. Gov. Eno visited Agric Equipment Leasing Company, Nwaniba, on Thursday, March 12, 2026.

Gov. Eno hosted the pupils of King’s Kids Christian Montessori School on Friday, March 13. Gov. Eno played host to the Akwa Ibom Muslim Community in celebration of Ramadan Iftar, Friday, March 13.

Followers of Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, can vividly describe him as a lover of children. Due to his passion for young people, he served as a Sunday School teacher during his time at the Apostolic Church, Maboju, Lagos State. He has never hidden his love and admiration for children.

Whether they are his grandchildren or children he may not know personally, one thing is certain — his level of cordiality with them remains the same.

In a country where some leaders play with children and patronise roadside sellers for the cameras, especially during political campaigns, Governor Eno has been seen exhibiting these traits effortlessly. He is not pretending about it; the Governor is a man of compassion and humility.

So, on Thursday, March 12, 2026, during his scheduled inspection of the Agric Equipment Leasing Company at Ekpri Nsukara, Nwaniba, on his way out, the Governor sighted a group of schoolchildren returning from school. In the midst of blaring sirens and government protocols, he opted to interact with the children.

As an unrepentant giver, the Governor did not leave without ensuring that the children had something to take home for the day.

For the children, the impact of having a firsthand interaction with a State Governor can be long-lasting. I once read a story by Baba Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, where he recounted how a handsome man with shiny shoes once visited his community.

As a child, he dreamt of becoming like that man when he grew up.
The Governor’s acts of humility and his provision of unhindered access to children on different occasions have distinguished him as a very humble leader who values children.

Also within the week, precisely on Friday, March 13, 2026, the pupils of King’s Kids Christian Montessori School went on an excursion to the Governor’s Office.

According to the Governor, upon receiving their letter requesting the excursion, he considered his busy schedule for the week, but still created time to accommodate the children because of his passion for them.

He not only received them, but he also ordered gifts, including school bags and exercise books for the pupils.

Upon arrival, the children were conducted around the Governor’s Office, including the Executive Chambers and the Governor’s personal office. They were given detailed explanations of the workings of different offices and components, led by the Executive Assistant and Chief Delivery Advisor to the Governor, Mr. Aniefiok Johnson.

This shows that the children truly had a memorable time during their excursion to Government House. I will provide fuller details of the excursion later in this report.

On inspection of agric equipment leasing company

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, said his administration is taking practical steps towards boosting full-scale mechanised farming for enhanced agricultural production with the establishment of the Agric Equipment Leasing Company, which will soon be commissioned.

Fielding questions from Government House correspondents shortly after inspecting the progress of work at the company located at Ekpri Nsukara in Uyo, Governor Eno scored the contractor highly on the progress made at the site.

“There is a lot of improvement in the work done here to get the company kick-started in earnest. The contractor has given her word that the project will soon be inaugurated, and I hold her to that.”

According to the Governor, the essence of the project is to motivate farmers to engage in large-scale farming for better productivity, improved earnings, and food sufficiency in the State.

“The farming season is here again, and we are putting everything in place for this project to function optimally. There are over 25 tractors with tracking devices and two low-beds ready for the agriculture programme.

“What we intend to do is to lease this equipment to our farmers across the State at subsidised rates so that they can use it to improve farming productivity. These farming equipment range from ploughs to harvesters and other implements that will help improve their output,” he said.

The Governor explained that his focus is to mechanise farming methods in the State to achieve large-scale benefits in crop production and improved profits for farmers.

Speaking on the government’s tree-crop revolution programme, Governor Eno assured that the programme will kick off immediately the rainy season sets in.
“The nursery for the palm tree crop seedlings has been put in place. The necessary enumeration of farmers has been done across the State, and in the next two weeks, the seedlings will be distributed to farmers for planting.”

The Governor therefore enjoined farmers to embrace the various agricultural programmes introduced by the government for the attainment of meaningful large-scale farming output and economic growth.

Gov. Eno inspects multiple project sites

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, made an unscheduled visit to inspect the ongoing construction of the 60-Unit House of Assembly and Commissioners’ Quarters at the Dakkada Luxury Estate along Airport Road, Uyo.

The Governor stopped at the project site while returning from Calabar on Sunday, March 8, 2026, where he had earlier attended a church engagement.

During the visit, Governor Eno directed the contractors, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), to expedite work on the project and take full advantage of the dry season to accelerate construction. He also directed the release of funds to ensure the timely completion of the project.

The Governor thereafter inspected other ongoing construction sites housing AkwaGIS, the Ministry of Internal Security Command and Control Centre, AKICORP House, the Governor’s Office Annex, and the IBC Complex to assess the progress of work.

This reflects his commitment to delivering projects in a timely manner. Governor Eno does not believe in sitting in the office and receiving site reports that may be inconsistent.

In the coming weeks, several projects in the State will be commissioned to give various ministries a facelift.

On the excursion by pupils of King’s Kids Christian Montessori School

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, during the week reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to laying a solid foundation for the future of Akwa Ibom children.

Speaking on Friday, March 13, 2026, while receiving pupils of King’s Kids Christian Montessori School, Uyo, during a guided tour of Government House, the Governor said that despite his busy schedule, he made time to receive them because of his deep passion for children.

Governor Eno noted that it is the foremost responsibility of government to provide a secure and peaceful environment for citizens, as well as a supportive academic atmosphere that enables children to excel in their studies.

“We are here to receive you because I pay particular attention to children. The truth is that you are the future of the world. What you see and what you do today has a way of leaving a lasting impression on you.

“Our job is to make sure that you have a secure environment and a peaceful State where you can read your books and concentrate on your studies,” he said.

The Governor encouraged the pupils to study hard and grow into responsible future leaders while assuring them that his administration is working diligently to build a legacy that will enable them to realise their dreams.

“We are giving our today because of your tomorrow, so that we can build a lasting legacy for you,” he added.

Governor Eno also commended the teachers for their dedication and commitment to nurturing the pupils.
During the visit, the children were conducted around the Governor’s Office and later presented with backpacks filled with educational materials and meal packs, each decorated with the ARISE badge.

Speaking on behalf of the pupils, the Senior Prefect, Miss Ruth Thank-God, expressed appreciation to the Governor for the warm reception despite his demanding schedule.

Also speaking, the Deputy Head Teacher (Academics), Mrs. Grace Ben, thanked the Governor for demonstrating genuine care for children.

The highlight of the visit was the presentation of an Award of Leadership Excellence to the Governor by the pupils of the school.

This is where I draw the curtain until I come your way again next week, bringing more exciting activities directly from the Office of the Governor of Akwa Ibom State.