IbomAir: Understanding efficacy of finisher’s anointing

By Solomon Essiet

Words are powerful. Everyone should be careful about what they say to themselves or to other people.
When Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, said he was “blessed with a finisher’s anointing,” many dismissed the statement as uncanny and questioned its veracity.

Today, however, under our watch, we have seen how Governor Eno is completing abandoned projects across the State with vigour, operating according to a detailed State plan, while improving on existing State infrastructure.

In a clime where succeeding leaders are known for fighting their predecessors and abandoning projects initiated by them while in office, Governor Eno has chosen a different path—a path of dignity and continuity.

He not only continued projects inherited from his predecessor, His Excellency, Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, but also moved on to completing projects initiated by his “Grandfather,” as he often describes him, His Excellency, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio. These include the 5,000-capacity Convention Centre, the 200-capacity Ibom International Hotel, and roads such as Use Ikot Amama, among others.

Beyond the projects of his political father and grandfather, Governor Eno has sustained the development and maintenance of State infrastructure initiated over 25 years ago, such as the Victor Attah International Airport, conceived and designed by Arc. Obong Victor Attah, Governor of Akwa Ibom State between 1999 and 2007. Governor Eno can rightly be described as a consistent leader.

He is consistent in whatever he does. As of today, in addition to revisiting abandoned projects, Governor Eno has initiated over 65 new projects across the State, alongside a series of empowerment programmes— all without borrowing a dime from any bank.

Is it not surprising that instead of borrowing to finance ongoing projects, Governor Eno has settled inherited bank loans of about ₦35 billion? This settlement is commendable, especially in the face of rising interest rates. By doing so, Akwa Ibom State is now free from debt. What manner of man is Governor Umo Eno? A judicious manager of financial resources. May God bless the performing Governor of Akwa Ibom State.

In a decisive move to enhance aviation infrastructure and enable night flight operations at the Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo, Governor Umo Eno approved and released the sum of ₦1.194 billion for the comprehensive overhaul of key airport facilities.

The Governor gave the airport management an eight-week deadline for full implementation, warning that failure to meet the target would attract sanctions. The good news is that the target was met, and the airport has been completely repositioned.

A press release by the State Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Umanah, stated that this payment, in addition to previously released funds, covered the replacement of navigational aids, the upgrade of airfield lighting, electricity payments, and service charges to the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).

This intervention aligns with the Governor’s broader commitment to developing world-class aviation infrastructure and positioning Akwa Ibom as a hub for tourism and investment.

Rt. Hon. Umanah noted that the Governor’s approval followed a request from airport management seeking upgrades to the airfield lighting and navigational systems.

These improvements are expected to significantly enhance the airport’s operational capacity, particularly by enabling safe aircraft take-off and landing during night hours.

Governor Eno, who continues to prioritise infrastructure development under the ARISE Agenda, directed airport management and contractors to adhere strictly to the timeline and ensure quality execution in line with international standards.

Beyond the lighting upgrade, Governor Eno ensured that several other projects within the airport ecosystem were considered. These include the new terminal building, access road and car park, VIP shade cover, aircraft apron, taxiway, advanced security and surveillance systems, the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility, and the Aviation Village.

The level of investment in infrastructure maintenance and upgrades at the State-owned airport has contributed to its elevation to international status, following approval by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. This development indicates that international flights will soon commence operations at the Victor Attah International Airport—our pride.

On Tuesday, December 16, 2025, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, commended the Akwa Ibom State Government for its level of preparedness towards the scheduled take-off of international flights from the Victor Attah International Airport (VAIA).

The Minister gave the commendation shortly after a meeting with stakeholders in the international airport ecosystem at VAIA.

While assessing facilities in the company of the State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, Keyamo expressed satisfaction with the standard of facilities and level of preparedness, stating that Akwa Ibom State was already ahead of the planned take-off scheduled for April 2026.

“Having heard from all the agencies involved in an international airport ecosystem, we held a closed-door meeting with representatives from Customs, Quarantine, the Nigeria Immigration Service, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Police, the Department of State Services (DSS), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and other aviation agencies.

“From all we have heard, Akwa Ibom State is already ahead of schedule. We thought the gaps to be closed would be many, but they are very minimal. Akwa Ibom State has gone ahead of schedule to become a full-blown international airport,” he stated.

Facilities inspected included the newly built and well-equipped international terminal and the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility, which he described as one of the standard requirements for any international airport. He stressed that the State is ready to render aviation services to the world.

“This facility we are seeing here is the MRO, meaning that international airlines have a place to conduct routine checks before flying out again. It is one of the standard requirements of an international airport,” he explained.

He described Akwa Ibom as home to great people, blessed with successive visionary leaders who have built on quality foundations laid by founding fathers—an approach that has encouraged growth and rapid development in the State.

He thanked the Governor for building on the foundation laid by his predecessors, a choice that has elevated the State to enviable heights.

“We thank God for Pastor Umo Eno, who has consummated the plans of his predecessors. He has not abandoned the State’s master plan. Akwa Ibom State has been blessed with a succession of visionary leaders, each of whom has been God-sent,” he said.

On his part, Governor Eno commended past leaders of the State for laying the solid foundation that has enhanced growth and development.

“It is humbling. Akwa Ibom is blessed with good leaders, and each administration has built on the work of the previous one. For me, it is the grace of God. God used them to begin the work, but the promise could not be realised without us. We thank God for the privilege,” he said.

Governor Eno thanked the Minister for his honesty, zeal, and passion in ensuring that the facilities are properly utilised for the overall economic benefit of the country.

He also appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the upgrade of the Victor Attah International Airport and for the prompt release of funds for project execution.

“This was not built with borrowed money. Akwa Ibom State is not owing any bank a dime today. These are State funds,” he stated.

Governor Eno is indeed blessed with a finisher’s anointing to take Akwa Ibom State to the Promised Land, and posterity shall be kind to him for the good work he has done for the people of Akwa Ibom State.

ARISE, that same God.

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