Riding on wings of a 2-year-superlative performance

You & Your Governor with Solomon Essiet

We are in a season of celebration in Akwa Ibom State, as Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, the performing Governor of Akwa Ibom State, marks his two years of good Governance in a few days. Some of the Governor’s activities in the week under review are as follows:-

Gov. Eno returned to Apostolic Church, Maboju, Lagos, in Thanksgiving to God, Sunday, May 11, 2025; Gov. Eno was honoured with the Millennium Excellence Prize in Kumasi, Ghana. Sunday, May 11, 2025; Gov. Eno received an award of honour for Women’s inclusiveness in governance, during the African Women Summit, Cairo, Ghana, Sunday, May 11, 2025.

Gov. Eno attended the burial of the Late Elder Statesman, Chief Dr. Edwin Clark, OFR, CON., in Delta State, Tuesday, May 13, 2025; Gov. Umo Eno carried out an intensive 2-hour inspection of the Arise Resort, on Tuesday, May 13, 2025; The Governor met with Fathers in Faith at the Banquet Hall, on Wednesday, May 14, 2025; Gov. Eno condoled with his supporter, Wisdom Enang over Father’s demise, on Wednesday, May 14, 2025.

Gov. Eno sympathized with Dr. Mrs. Eme Etop Imah, over her husband’s demise, on Wednesday, May 14, 2025; Gov. Eno joined PFN’s National Executive Retreat, on Wednesday, May 14, 2025; Gov. Eno paid an unscheduled inspection visit to Ewet Housing Luxury Gardens Estate, Wednesday, May 14, 2025.

Gov. Eno Condoled with Hon. Anietie Eka over the demise of his mother-in-law, on Thursday, May 15, 2025; Gov. Eno approved the fourth tranche of 7.5% contributory pension for more LGAs, on Thursday, May 15, 2025; Gov. Umo Eno attended the 85th Birthday celebration/Thanksgiving Service of Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Ossom, Friday, May 16, 2025.

The Governor paid an unscheduled inspection to the Judiciary Village at Ring Road 3, Uyo, on Friday, May 16, 2025; Gov. Eno attended the Government House Prayer meeting held at Later House Chapel, Uyo, on Saturday, May 17, 2025; Gov. Eno joined the family of Hon. Anietie Eka to bid farewell to his mother-in-law, the Late Mrs. Aniedi Utok, on Saturday, May 17, 2025.

Gov. Eno represented at the Retreat organised by the Senate Committee on Power, Four Point by Sheraton, Saturday, May 17, 2025.

As the Governor marks his two years in office come May 29, 2025, in celebration of the People’s mandate and result-oriented leadership, Akwa Ibomites celebrate their illustrious son. Governor Umo Eno has in the last two years demonstrated that he came prepared to lead the people to the promised land.

I love the fact that the Governor created time to return to the Apostolic Church, Maboju, Lagos, where he spent his youthful years serving God in various capacities to give God thanks.

The same Church that God used a child to prophesy about the glorious future of Pst. Umo Bassey Eno, in 1980. The Church had waited in anticipation to receive the Governor for Thanksgiving, but, the Bible says in his time, he made all things beautiful. Indeed, God has made everything beautiful in his time.

According to the Governor, it was also a time to seek God’s face about his future, the future that holds so much for Akwa Ibom State, as he remains in the driver’s seat championing the affairs of the State as the Governor of Akwa Ibom State.

Like Solomon in the Bible, I believe in everything that the Governor asked of God, wisdom remains the principal thing. Wisdom to lead his people to the land of fulfillment.

In just two years, the Governor has changed the narrative of good Governance in Akwa Ibom State. This is not film tricks, you need to visit the State to have first-hand knowledge of how Governor Eno is turning the State around for good through unprecedented and life-changing projects across the State.

It is pertinent to State here that, all the components of the Arise Agenda, the blueprint of this administration have received adequate attention. During the Press briefing by the Commissioner of Information, Hon. Aniekan Umanah, on Friday, May 16, so many achievements recorded by the Governor in different areas of the Arise Agenda were successfully outlined.

On address by the Commissioner for Information on major achievements of Gov. Eno

Two years ago, the people of our dear State entrusted the sacred mandate of governing this great State to His Excellency, Governor Umo Eno. Today, we stand on the firm shoulders of remarkable progress and spectacular performance.

The Governor Umo Eno-led administration, under his developmental blueprint, The ARISE Agenda, has led a revolutionary trajectory that has transformed our State, touched lives, redefined our politics, United our people and deepened the development narrative of Akwa Ibom State.

To commemorate this milestone, a series of activities have been lined up to celebrate, reflect, renew, and recommit our State to even greater accomplishments under Governor Eno’s pragmatic leadership.

But before we outline the programme of events for this celebration, please permit us to take you briefly through the highlights of some milestones recorded within these twenty-four months.

Under the Agricultural Revolution of the ARISE Agenda, the government launched the construction of the Ibom Model Farm—a 50-hectare pilot Songhai-model farm in Nsit Ubium, to be replicated in other parts of the State.

The government empowered farmers, declared work-free farming days for civil servants, and instituted the ARISE Home Farmers Scheme with direct support to beneficiaries; distributed farm inputs, and processing equipment, and activated Young Farmers’ Clubs across our secondary schools to grow a new generation of agripreneurs.

The administration has made strong interventions through the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP). Several rural roads have been rehabilitated, with more ongoing. The government has provided N2 billion in grants to farmers, and another N2 billion to traders, and boosted cooperatives and SMEs with equipment and funding.

Infrastructural development remains paramount in the scheme of the Pastor Umo-led government. So far over 163 roads, covering more than 750 kilometers, are under construction, some of which have already been commissioned across the State.

These include inherited projects, new road maintenance programmes, solar-powered streetlights, and water supply systems in various communities.

To develop the State’s Maritime and blue Economy, the administration is constructing Oron Beach with new terminals, jetties, ferries, warehouses, and parks—developing a marine commercial hub, all set for completion later this year.

Aviation development has received a boost in the last two years. Ibom Air has been strengthened with newly acquired aircraft. Finishing touches are being put to the new terminal building, while investments are ongoing to complete the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility for aircraft maintenance. A brand-new Aviation Village is under construction to ensure Akwa Ibom continues to play a leading role in Nigeria’s aviation ecosystem.

Across all 31 Local Government Areas, the administration has executed people-oriented, community-nominated projects—including Model Schools and Model Health Centres, fully equipped and tailored to local needs.

Security has remained a top priority. The government established a stand-alone Ministry of Internal Security, procured gunboats, patrol vehicles, and other support for security agencies, as well as launched the Ibom Community Watch to provide rural intelligence and support security efforts across the State. Today, Akwa Ibom is ranked as one of the safest states in Nigeria—and that is not by accident.

Educational advancement as an essential pillar of the ARISE Agenda has received deserved attention. The government is building Model Primary Schools across all LGAs, increasing student bursaries, supporting persons with disabilities with an N100 million fund, and sustaining and funding a free education policy amongst other programs.

In line with his compassionate vision, Governor Umo Eno has delivered 206 fully built ARISE Compassionate Homes to indigent citizens, with a target of 400. Over 500,000 households have benefitted from subsidized food under the Bulk Purchase Agency. A dedicated Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs has also been created to coordinate these efforts.

Workers’ welfare has received unprecedented attention. Over N78 billion has been paid in outstanding gratuities and entitlements. Additionally, 150 two-bedroom homes have been donated to lower-level civil servants.

The youth are not left out. A stand-alone Ministry of Youths has been established. We’ve rolled out unemployment support, business grants, and other empowerment programmes to harness youth potential.

The state is driving digital transformation through the new Ministry of Science and Digital Economy. Today, many of our government services are e-enabled, making Akwa Ibom truly future-ready.

They are constructing the 18-storey Ibom Towers in Lagos, rebuilding the 5,000-capacity Ibom Conference Centre, and developing a new 200-bed Quaternary Hospital, an Elderly Home, a Security and Command Centre, and a state-of-the-art AKBC Broadcasting Complex.

The state tourism flagship project, the ARISE Resort, has reclaimed over 70 hectares of gully land into a stunning destination featuring a 9-hole golf course, artificial lakes, luxurious apartments, shops, restaurants, medical and security services, and much more.

In addition, a robust Project Monitoring and Delivery System has been introduced—with over 50 new projects set for flag-off this year. Some have already commenced.

This summary captures the intentional, people-focused, and impactful governance of Pastor Umo Eno in just two years.

The convention center and Ibom Hotel are under construction

On Saturday, May 17, 2025, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, reassured of his administration’s commitment to revamping the moribund Ibom Tropicana Entertainment complex, by re-constructing the Ibom International Convention Centre and Hotel in furtherance of the tourism drive of the ARISE Agenda.

Governor Eno remarked that the facilities cannot continue to lie waste considering the volume of funds already sunk into the projects by the previous administration.

“You need to know how much we have sunk into these projects. And, you need to know how much of Akwa Ibom money is invested here. Akwa Ibom State is fast becoming a tourist destination. So, we need to tidy up these projects to effectively build up our digital economy.

“If our focus is on building a world-class economy in terms of diversification, we can’t do without an International Conference Centre like this which sits about 5,000 people at a go and also boasts of breakout rooms.

“We also have this hotel with about 200 rooms tied up to the International Convention Centre. This place also has a shopping city as well as a theme park which we are about to go into a Public Private Partnership arrangement.”

Governor Eno said the unscheduled inspection of the facilities was to bring out the best in terms of appropriate interactions with the workers, observance of the quality of work done, timely completion of the project and execution according to specifications.

“What motivates me in all these inspections is the amount of money put into these projects. We are elected to serve the people; and, you put your mind where your money is. So, we have to restart this construction, and I love unscheduled inspections to see what is happening and ascertain if the workers are on site.

“It is not just enough to give a contract. There is a schedule –a timeline. We need to visit sites to know if the timeline is realistic or do we have any challenges anywhere. So, when you come to the site, you can deal with the issues right there and then,” he explained.

Speaking further, he said “For me, I was taught way back in my business school class that, in Africa, you get what you inspect, you don’t get what you expect. So, that principle helps me a lot.

“Besides, we are officially flagging off these projects next week, and I needed to see and know what is on the ground to be able to say exactly as it is without any contradictions after the flag-off. And, the best way to inspect this work is to do it unscheduled,” he explained.

On the warning for imminent flood during the government house covenant service

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno has urged citizens and residents of the State to ensure regular desilting of drainages within their vicinity to forestall floods and other ecological disasters.

Speaking at the Government House Monthly Prayer Service, held at the Latter House Chapel, Governor’s Lodge, Uyo, the Governor warned against the practice of indiscriminate refuse disposal and blockage of drainages.

He said the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET), has projected Akwa Ibom among states that would record the highest number of rainy days in 2025, ranging from 250 to 290 days, with an attendant risk of flooding and the spread of cholera.

The Governor said while the State is committed to playing its part to avert the projected disaster, all hands must be on deck too.

“Akwa Ibom has been mentioned as one of the states that will experience flooding this year. Therefore, we must prepare.

“Please, clean the drainages around you, and also organize community service for this. The government will embark on desilting of the drainages, but support the effort of the government to succeed.”

He equally directed the Ibom Community Watch to map out strategies to monitor and restrain people from indiscriminate dumping of refuse to prevent regular blockage of drainages.

He sympathized with those who have already been affected by some natural disasters and assured that the Government would send relief materials to the victims.

The Governor used the opportunity to invite all citizens to be part of the planned second anniversary inter-denominational thanksgiving service slated for Sunday, May 25, 2025, at the International Christian Worship Center, Uyo.

“On the 25th of May, we will have our 2nd-anniversary thanksgiving. I am inviting all of you. Let us go out there and thank God for His great wonders – two years of His faithfulness and guidance,” he added.

Earlier in his exhortation, Rev. Peter Omiunu of Flourishing Harvest Int’l Church, preaching on the theme “God of Great Wonders,” culled from the Bible book of Psalm 77:14-20, admonished the people to continue to trust and believe in God for he is an unfailing God of great wonders. Who always turns things around to suit His people.

He charged Christians to have a good foundation in God, stressing that whatever God has promised, He shall surely come to pass for their lives and that of generations beyond them.

The event which featured sessions of praise and worship, choir ministrations, and prayers, was attended by members of the State Executive Council, clergies, dignitaries of various classes, and many Christian faithful.

This is where I draw the curtain, till I come your way again next week with more exciting activities of Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State.

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