Oron Federal Constituency town square meeting: A cultural carnival of empowerment, festival of endorsements

By Emmanuel Nicholas

In the heart of Oron, a vision took root, conceived by none other than Governor Umo Eno himself.

His ambitious plan was to traverse the ten federal constituencies, engaging directly with the populace to highlight the progress of his administration, not only within their local precincts but throughout the expansive landscape of Akwa Ibom.

This endeavour was not merely a one-sided affair; it was a dialogue, a listening tour where the voices of the people would echo their concerns, aspirations, and dreams.

These insights would be woven into the fabric of the 2026 budget, a document that would come to be known as the People’s Budget.

Yet, in Oron Federal Constituency, the Governor’s vision transcended its original intent. The community, infused with a spirit of creativity and cultural pride, transformed this initiative into a vibrant cultural festival of empowerment.

What began as a governmental outreach morphed into a celebration of identity, resilience, and unity.

As the Governor’s entourage made its way through the bustling streets of Oron Metropolis, they were met with an exuberant display of cultural heritage.

The air was thick with the rhythmic beats of drums, resonating like the heartbeat of the community. Men and women adorned in traditional attire danced with fervor, their movements telling stories of their ancestors, their struggles, and their triumphs.

Each step was a celebration, each twirl a poof to the rich culture of folklore that defined their existence.

Town square, alive with colours and sound, became a canvas where the essence of Oro was painted in vibrant hues.

The songs, steeped in history, echoed through the streets, inviting all to partake in this extraordinary gathering. It was not merely a meeting; it was a cultural renaissance, a powerful affirmation of the people’s joy towards Governor Umo Eno’s performance in Oro Nation

At this moment, the Governor’s vision found its true expression, not just in policies and budgets, but in the hearts and minds of the people, who, through their culture, declared their strength and support for his government’s sterling performance throughout Akwa Ibom State.

The festival served as a reminder that Umo Eno’s government had addressed the demands of the people, prompting the citizens of Oro Nation to transform the town square meeting into a cultural celebration.

In the golden era of Governor Umo Eno’s administration, an exceptional transformation unfolded, shattering records that previous regimes had not even dared to dream of achieving.

For the first time in the annals of Oro Nation, a political gathering transpired without the specter of crisis or violence looming over it. The air was charged with an unprecedented sense of unity and hope.

It was an epoch-making occasion, as stakeholders from all corners of Oro Nation gathered, their voices harmonizing in praise of an administration that had transformed their land.

Gone were the discordant notes of political rivalry; instead, a chorus of admiration reverberated through the assembly. Even members of opposition parties, typically ensconced in their dissent, emerged with banners aloft, rallying in support of a governor from the People’s Democratic Party, a sight that would have been unthinkable in times past.

Yet, what struck me most profoundly was the presence of a figure of immense stature: the noble Archbishop Joseph Effiong Ekuwem, a man of profound intellect and unwavering discipline, who leads the Catholic Archdiocese of Calabar.

This principled cleric, who was ordained a priest on June 20, 1976, and subsequently elevated to the bishopric of Uyo Diocese on December 9, 1989, before assuming the mantle of Archbishop of Calabar on February 2, 2013, had never before graced a political assembly with his presence.

His journey through the priesthood had been marked by a steadfast commitment to spiritual matters, eschewing political entanglements, and even refraining from setting the spiritual tone for such gatherings.

Thus, his attendance at this historic meeting was nothing short of a profound endorsement of Governor Umo Eno’s governance and the developmental strides he made in Oro Federal Constituency and Akwa Ibom State as a whole.

The sight of Archbishop Ekuwem, a pillar of moral and spiritual authority, standing in solidarity with the governor, spoke volumes about the transformative impact of this administration.

It was a moment that would be etched in the collective memory of the people, an attestation to the power of unity and progress in a time when hope had been rekindled by Governor Umo Eno.

As the sun dipped low in the sky, casting a golden hue over the vibrant Oron Township Stadium, the atmosphere crackled with anticipation.

The entrance of their beloved daughter, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, PhD, the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, heralded the imminent arrival of her prudent boss, Governor Umo Eno, PhD.

With her charming presence, she embodied the spirit of the occasion, igniting a palpable excitement among the gathered crowd.

The air was thick with the colours of tradition, as men donned their striking red caps and white shirts, a sea of cultural pride stretching a mile to the left and two miles to the right.

Diverse cultural troupes filled the space with the rhythmic beats of drums and the harmonious strains of song, their bodies swaying in joyous unison, each step a celebration of heritage.

As the blaring sirens of Governor Umo Eno’s convoy pierced the air, a wave of energy surged through the stadium. Cultural masquerades sprang to life, performing the intricate and spirited Ekombi and Etembe dances, their movements a proof of the rich traditions of the land.

Yet, it was the mesmerizing mbaya dancers who truly captured my heart. Their song echoed through the stadium, a powerful declaration: “Oro, have you seen that Umo Eno has not deceived us? He is a child of truth, born of a family that values honesty.”

The mbaya dance aligned deeply within me, for I hailed from Mosongo-Ibonda Uruan, a community intertwined with the cultural heritage of Oro Nation.

My affection for the mbaya song was akin to my mother’s unyielding love for ice cream, a sweet indulgence she still craved at the age of ninety. Whenever I visited, her first demand was always, “Where is my ice cream?”

As Governor Umo Eno stepped from his vehicle, the crowd erupted in ecstatic cheers, for they beheld a leader who had wrought wonders upon their land.

He had promised to complete the dual carriageway linking Oro Nation to the state capital, and now, the 14.5 km Airport Road – Nsit Atai – Okopedi Road stands on the brink of commissioning.

The people have witnessed the transformation of their roads: the 13 km Okopedi-East West dualized road, now 60 percent complete, and the construction of the 11 km Atabong Road with a jetty at the beach in Okobo Local Government Area.

In February, their august visitor had also awarded the dualization of the 13.6 km Unyenge-Universal Energy Road, a vital artery leading to the Ibom Deep Seaport, complete with two bridges spanning 30m and 45m, along with a spur to Affi-Uda Village in Mbo Local Government Area.

The completion of the 5.9 km Urueoffong-Utuku-Ibotong Road was proof of his commitment to progress.

The crowd danced with abandon as they witnessed their leader engaging in the very dances and songs that defined their culture. It was a moment of connection, a leader who had built three model primary schools in their communities: the Model Primary School in Uko Oyukim, Oron Local Government Area; the Model Primary School in Okobo Local Government Area; and the Model Primary School in Ewang, Mbo Local Government Area.

A particularly spirited masquerade captivated the audience, performing somersaults in a display of approval from the ancestors, affirming that Governor Umo Eno had achieved what had eluded Oro for the past thirty years.

The masquerades, revered as the representatives of the ancestors, rejoiced in the knowledge that the Governor had established two well-equipped health centers, ensuring that no child would be welcomed into the land of ancestors prematurely—a grave abomination.

The Model Primary Health Centre in Eyulor, Urue Offong/Oruko, and the Model Primary Health Centre in Okikim, Udung Uko, promised to reduce mortality rates and provide free healthcare for children under five and the elderly over sixty-five.

The elders of Oro Nation, dancing and singing in harmonious celebration, honored a leader who had restored the maritime glory of their homeland.

He had revitalized the ecosystem, constructed jetties for ferries, developed recreational beaches, and built parks for vehicles, along with storage facilities for seafood preservation.

Governor Umo Eno PhD has bought 28 Arise Homes for widows, widowers, and handicapped across the Oron Federal constituency.

As the Governor began distributing N335 million to traders, farmers, and business owners across the five local government areas, Oron, Okobo, Udung Uko, Urue Offong Oruko, and Mbo, the atmosphere transformed into one of jubilant celebration.

The crowd erupted in joy, waving white handkerchiefs and removing their traditional caps in salute as he allocated N51 million to 108 farmers from an N2 billion farmers’ loan, while 543 businessmen and women received N225 million, and ten entrepreneurs were each granted N5 million.

The young men and women of Oro Nation stood in awe of this unprecedented empowerment, their spirits lifted in a carnival of appreciation and cultural endorsement.

It was a day etched in their memories, evidence of the enduring bond between a leader and his people, a celebration of heritage, hope, and the promise of a brighter future.