Gov. Eno’s weekly review: Championing democratic course, impacting people

You and Your Governor, with Solomon Essiet

Indeed, it was a very busy week for Governor Umo Eno, marked by numerous important engagements. It was quite difficult to pick a single headline for this report, given the multiplicity of activities undertaken by the Governor during the week under review.

Below are highlights of Governor Eno’s activities:
Governor Eno attended the child dedication service of Mkpisong Frank Archibong’s son on Sunday, December 14. He also joined Pastor Prince George and his wife at their children’s dedication service on the same day. On Monday, December 15, the Governor celebrated Senator Ibok Essien on his birthday and commissioned a 1.4km internal road at the Police Headquarters, Ikot Akpan Abia.

Also on Monday, December 15, Governor Eno visited the Department of State Services during their end-of-year celebration. On Tuesday, December 16, he led the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, on an inspection tour of the airport and Arise Palm Resort.

He also participated in a two-day capacity-building workshop for councillors. On Wednesday, December 17, Governor Eno attended the APC Progressive Governors’ Forum meeting.

On Thursday, December 18, the Governor delivered the convocation lecture at the 7th Convocation Ceremony of Mountain Top University. On Friday, December 19, he celebrated the birthday of Most Rev. Dr. Joseph Ekuwem and accompanied President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to a joint session of the National Assembly for the presentation of the 2026 Budget. He also attended the Akwa Ibom Christmas Carol Festival on the same day.

Matters Arising

On Airport Facility Inspection
The people of Akwa Ibom State are still celebrating the approval of international flights for the Victor Attah International Airport and eagerly await the first international flight scheduled to take off on April 1, 2026.

Although the airport has always been known as Victor Attah International Airport, it had operated only domestic flights since inception. However, the dream of making it a truly international airport has finally come to pass. The vision of past leaders has now been realized.

Anyone familiar with the airport will agree that the state government did not stumble into the approval for international flight operations.

Rather, it worked deliberately by putting the necessary facilities in place, including Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities, to properly position the airport for international status.

This approval was recently granted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and announced by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.

Governor Eno, a man blessed with the finisher’s anointing, is bringing this 25-year-old dream to full realization. What a joy! Akwa Ibom people are immensely proud of Governor Eno—a hardworking leader with the genuine interest of his people at heart.

The Governor is also working to reposition the state as a tourist destination. With the commencement of international flights, tourism is expected to take centre stage, and the vision will be realized in record time.

It is noteworthy that the inspection team, drawn from all relevant departments and parastatals overseeing aviation in Nigeria, expressed satisfaction with the state government’s level of preparedness. This was confirmed by the Minister of Aviation himself.

On the Convocation Lecture at Mountain Top University

During the week, Governor Eno delivered a convocation lecture at the 7th Convocation Ceremony of Mountain Top University, Ogun State.

He charged the graduating students to dream big but be prepared to start small, stressing that there is no shame in humble beginnings. He shared his personal experience of starting his hotel business with just five rooms and, through financial discipline and perseverance, growing it into a hospitality conglomerate.

The Governor also taught lessons on humility and the importance of supporting one’s parents. He recounted how the death of his beloved father, a policeman who died in active service, compelled him to hawk goods on the streets of Lagos to support his family.

Governor Eno has consistently shown passion for mentoring young people. This is evident in the Ibom Ignite initiative, which he started in 2017—long before he ever dreamt of becoming Governor of Akwa Ibom State.

Just a week ago, a young man named Emem Victor, a graduate of Akwa Ibom State University, testified that a lecture delivered by Pastor Umo Eno in 2019 shaped his life significantly.

In appreciation, the young man designed a cloth for the Governor, who in turn reciprocated with a gift of ₦10 million.
Governor Eno has mentored many young people to realize their dreams and aspirations. There is no doubt that many graduates of Mountain Top University will fondly remember the convocation lecture delivered by Pastor-Governor Umo Eno.

On Homecoming for Christmas
During the Akwa Ibom Christmas Carol Night on Friday, December 19, 2025—an annual event organized by the Akwa Ibom State Government—Governor Eno announced a homegoing for all appointees and aides on Saturday, December 20, 2025. He further stated that during the Christmas gatherings in each of the 31 local government secretariats, 40 bags of rice and cash would be distributed to villages to support their celebrations.

True to his reputation as a Governor who fulfils promises, this was exactly what happened. It was a joyous moment at the city centre in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area, my hometown, as beneficiaries from the 47 villages trooped in to collect their bags of rice, expressing deep appreciation to the Governor, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno.

This came shortly after the payment of the 13th-month salary, popularly known as “ENOMBER,” to all civil servants in Akwa Ibom State. Indeed, like Jesus Christ, Governor Eno goes about doing good wherever he goes.

This is where I draw the curtain until I come your way again next week with more exciting updates on the Governor’s activities—directly from the Governor’s Office. Stay with me. This is “You and Your Governor.”

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