₦airaland Forum

Residents, motorists, commuters, and school children have heaped praises on Governor Umo Eno, following the rave of accelerated progress on infrastructural projects across the State.

This comes less than 24 hours after the Governor’s prompt release of 60bn naira to contractors for rapid construction on projects locations.

The contractors, from random assessment conducted during a tour by members of the Documentary Team of the Governor’s Office, had mobilized to various project sites to meet set delivery timelines.

While recounting their past challenges, the residents who spoke with the Documentary team, expressed gratitude to Governor Umo Eno for the ongoing rural transformation.

They also praised the contractors for prioritizing the employment of skilled labour from host communities.

The disbursement of the 60bn Naira, underscores the state government’s commitment to enhancing road networks, reviving previously stalled projects, and stimulating economic growth.

The Team, led by Dr. Essien Ndueso, on Thursday embarked on an inspection tour to Nsit Ubium Local Government Area to evaluate ongoing projects and verify contractors' adherence to scheduled timelines.

At the site of the 2.49km Ofriyo - Ikot Ekpene Udo road dualization project, the team observed significant progress as piling continued on the two bridges linking Ofriyo in Eket with Ikot Ekpene Udo in Nsit Ubium.

Engr. Bassam Saimua, Project Manager at Amitech Construction and Development Limited, the firm handling the project, assured that the project would be completed on time.

“This project involves the dualization of a 2.49km road with two 120-meter span bridges and a width of 16 meters. So far, we have completed over 1.9km of drainage, along with the stone base for the sub-base and subgrade protection.

“As you can see, we have already installed 35 concrete piles for one of the bridges, and work is ongoing. On the Eket side, we have completed road clearing and over 200 meters of drainage. With the favorable weather condition setting in, we are confident this project will be completed within record time,” Engr. Saimua explained.

During the visit, piling work on the bridge was actively underway, and drainage construction was in progress around the Ofriyo axis, a key section of the project.

The team also inspected the expansive 9.7km internal road network within the heart of Nsit Ubium.

Some sections of the projects have already been asphalted, while work continues on others, reflecting steady advancement.

Speaking during the tour, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Research and Documentation, Dr. Essien Ndueso, accompanied by other aides including Engr. Solomon Eyo and Mr. Emmanuel Akpabio, commended the quality of work being delivered.

He reiterated Governor Eno’s unwavering commitment to rural development and infrastructural progress and charged the contractors to expedite action on the projects to maximize the advantage of the impending dry season.

“I’m glad the contractors have complied with the directive of the Governor.

“We are tasked to go round the entire projects locations in the State, and observe the level of adherence to the charges by the State’s Chief Executive”, Ndueso added.

By Bright George

The Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance Systems (AKISEMSAS), Dr. Jacob Etiemana, has said that Governor Umo Eno is committed to repositioning the state’s health sector under the ARISE Agenda.

Speaking on ARISE Tracka, a special programme aired Thursday on Premium 89.9FM, Abak, Etiemana disclosed that more than 1,800 people have so far benefited from the state’s emergency medical services. Of this number, 630 patients were transported and stabilized through the coordinated ambulance referral system, while over 1,000 others received standby medical care at public events.

He also highlighted the government’s investment in infrastructure, noting that 15 model primary health centres have already been delivered across the state, with five awaiting commissioning and another five set to commence construction. The centres, he said, are being fitted with advanced equipment, in some cases superior to those in teaching hospitals.

Etiemana commended the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ekem Emmanuel John, for instituting monthly media briefings, which he described as a mark of accountability in addressing challenges such as absentee medical workers.

On manpower, the AKISEMSAS chairman confirmed that Governor Eno has approved the recruitment of 2,000 medical personnel to tackle staff shortages in general hospitals, describing it as a direct response to the declared state of emergency in the health sector.

He further urged residents to enroll in the state’s health insurance scheme, stressing that out-of-pocket payments for healthcare are unsustainable.

On the proposed International Hospital, Etiemana said the project is aimed at reducing medical tourism by providing specialized treatment locally.

“Before criticizing government programs, benefit from them first,” he advised. “Call the ambulance when you’re sick, register for health insurance, and then judge from experience”, he added.

…inaugurates Ikot Esu - Azumini Road, Others

As part of activities to mark the 38th year of statehood, the Akwa Ibom State Government has concluded activities for the inauguration of the Ikot Esu - Ikot Otomo - Azumini Road and other internal roads in Ika local government area.

The Ikot Esu Azumini road measuring 14.13km leads from Ika in Akwa Ibom into Azumini in Abia State.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr Ezenwo Nyesom Wike is expected as special guest for the inauguration ceremony on Wednesday, September 24.

Governor Umo Eno is said to have settled for Barr Wike on the project inauguration because of its significance and economic importance to the State.

Also billed for commissioning, is the 1.53km Ikot Udom internal roads, that accesses the home community of the Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas), Chief Ekperikpe Ekpo.

The Ikot Esu - Azumini road which commenced during the reign of Mr Udom Emmanuel has been completed during the current dispensation, in line with Governor Eno, rural development plan of his ARISE Agenda.


The road construction project starts from Ikot Esu-Otomo in Ika Local Government Area of Akwa-Ibom State and extends into Azumini Ndoki community in Ukwa-East LGA of Abia State.

Residents of Azumini Ndoki had initially protested the construction, alleging fears of territorial encroachment.

But the Chairman of Ika local government area, Barr Utibe Nwoko, said the Government of his State was only ensuring that the road which was of economic importance to both sister states was completed and made viable to the people.

He said rather than lose sleep over fears of encroachment by the Akwa Ibom Government, the people of Abia should be appreciative of the advent of development project.

It will be recalled that similar roads linking Akwa Ibom into Abia State, have been constructed in the immediate past dispensation of Mr Udom Emmanuel.

The roads include the 6.4km Nto Edino - Ekwerazu road from Obot Akara in Akwa Ibom to Ekwerazu in Abia State, and the 14.1km Ikpe Ikot Nkon- Arochukwu road, linking Ini local government with Arochukwu in Abia State.

During one of numerous visits to Ika local government area last year, the Governor, Pastor Eno, had promised to construct a road network within the internal communities of Obong Ekperikpe Ekpo, the federal minister, insisting that it was to enable him focus on bringing other developments at the federal level to his home State.

....Donates 150 Wheelbarrows

Sunday Usikhifo, Personal Assistant to Akwa Ibom State Governor Pastor Umo Eno, has donated 150 wheelbarrows and aprons to youths and market women across the state.

Speaking during the presentation, Mr Usikhifo said the gesture was aimed at supporting small traders who move goods from one place to another, helping them to improve their businesses and daily earnings.

He urged the beneficiaries to continue supporting the governor’s Arise Agenda, which he described as people-focused and committed to empowering entrepreneurs.

One of the beneficiaries, Imaobong Ekpo from Urua Nka market, Eket , expressed gratitude to Mr Usikhifo and prayed for God’s blessings upon him.

Another recipient from Udua Otor,
Ikot Ekpene said she had never benefitted directly from government before and thanked the governor’s aide for the support.

Since assuming office, Mr Usikhifo has made several donations, including fuel for commercial motorcyclists, foodstuffs to indigent families, and a free borehole for traders at Itam market.

Some of the beneficiaries were also supported with cash assistance to help boost their businesses, enabling them to expand their trade and improve their livelihoods.

....Donates 150 Wheelbarrows

Sunday Usikhifo, Personal Assistant to Akwa Ibom State Governor Pastor Umo Eno, has donated 150 wheelbarrows and aprons to youths and market women across the state.

Speaking during the presentation, Mr Usikhifo said the gesture was aimed at supporting small traders who move goods from one place to another, helping them to improve their businesses and daily earnings.

He urged the beneficiaries to continue supporting the governor’s Arise Agenda, which he described as people-focused and committed to empowering entrepreneurs.

One of the beneficiaries, Imaobong Ekpo from Urua Nka market, Eket , expressed gratitude to Mr Usikhifo and prayed for God’s blessings upon him.

Another recipient from Udua Otor,
Ikot Ekpene said she had never benefitted directly from government before and thanked the governor’s aide for the support.

Since assuming office, Mr Usikhifo has made several donations, including fuel for commercial motorcyclists, foodstuffs to indigent families, and a free borehole for traders at Itam market.

Some of the beneficiaries were also supported with cash assistance to help boost their businesses, enabling them to expand their trade and improve their livelihoods.

....Donates 150 Wheelbarrows

Sunday Usikhifo, Personal Assistant to Akwa Ibom State Governor Pastor Umo Eno, has donated 150 wheelbarrows and aprons to youths and market women across the state.

Speaking during the presentation, Mr Usikhifo said the gesture was aimed at supporting small traders who move goods from one place to another, helping them to improve their businesses and daily earnings.

He urged the beneficiaries to continue supporting the governor’s Arise Agenda, which he described as people-focused and committed to empowering entrepreneurs.

One of the beneficiaries, Imaobong Ekpo from Urua Nka market, Eket , expressed gratitude to Mr Usikhifo and prayed for God’s blessings upon him.

Another recipient from Udua Otor,
Ikot Ekpene said she had never benefitted directly from government before and thanked the governor’s aide for the support.

Since assuming office, Mr Usikhifo has made several donations, including fuel for commercial motorcyclists, foodstuffs to indigent families, and a free borehole for traders at Itam market.

Some of the beneficiaries were also supported with cash assistance to help boost their businesses, enabling them to expand their trade and improve their livelihoods.

By Ubon Marcus

When the Akwa Ibom State Government announced disciplinary proceedings against two consultant doctors accused of absenteeism and other infractions of the public service rules, it stirred diverse reactions from members of the public. But for families that have lost loved ones due to situations where doctors were absent, the pain may never assuage.

Weeks ago, the public empathised with Ndifreke Amos, whose wails of agony over the avoidable demise of her sister and her sister's newborn at General Hospital, Ikot Ekpene, could not be ignored. That unfortunate incident (an avoidable maternal/neonatal mortality case, as details later revealed) is linked to the absence of the doctor on duty. Barely a fortnight earlier, similar circumstances occurred at General Hospital, Etinan. In both cases, government-employed doctors were said to have been absent at their duty posts at critical moments when their presence would have prevented the loss of life and saved families from agonising experiences.

Those deaths were avoidable, as authorities vested with the facts opine. When consultants, in whose care patients are entrusted, are absent, patients in critical condition are left unattended, and lives are lost.

Preliminary investigative reports from the Ministry of Health reveal that one of the doctors found wanting, Dr. George Bassey, allegedly took up a full-time appointment at the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, without being formally disengaged by the Akwa Ibom State Hospitals Management Board thereby abandoning his duty post and the patients desperately in need of his expertise. His colleague, Dr. UduakAbasi Ita, a Consultant Radiologist, is facing a similar case.

Further checks reveal that George Bassey, a Consultant Haematologist, is a beneficiary of the in-service training policy of the State Government. While undergoing the postgraduate training, his full salaries and entitlements were paid consistently by the Akwa Ibom State Government throughout the eight years it lasted, translating to sponsorship by the State Government in line with Public Service Rules, which also require such persons, upon completion of studies, to return to the service of the state at least for the duration of the years spent on such sponsored training.

While others had no problems complying with this, Dr. Bassey’s case turned out to be different, as the first sign of his noncompliance was repeated complaints of his alleged truancy and absenteeism from his Medical Superintendent.

Despite the Health Commissioner’s intervention in June 2025 by providing specialised equipment such as an Olympus Microscope and a Haematology Analyser which were requested by Dr. Bassey, even when a functional microscope was already in place, the Consultant Haematologist still did not budge.

His further complaints of Medical Laboratory Scientists preventing him from working, as well as salary delays, were found to be false and, added to other shortcomings of his, culminated in the issuance of a query to him. But instead of a reply, he tendered a resignation letter, which was not accepted. After that, Dr. George Bassey, the state-sponsored in-service trainee and Consultant Haematologist, became unreachable and incommunicado.

However, he resurfaced days ago after being publicly called out for dereliction of duty by the Hon. Commissioner for Health. In a video posted on Facebook, despite acknowledging that he continued receiving salaries while outside the state on training, Dr. Bassey stated that he owes the Akwa Ibom State Government nothing thereby contradicting himself and exhibiting bold ignorance of Public Service Rules.

Absenteeism on the part of medical doctors in public service, and other acts anti-ethical to the Hippocratic Oath, are not just breaches of the Public Service Rules but threaten the integrity of the medical profession and the safety of patients.

It is on this premise that the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ekem Emmanuel John, in line with broader health sector reforms of the Umo Eno administration under the ARISE Agenda, has embarked on a mission of restoring discipline in medical practice to prevent further avoidable loss of lives in Akwa Ibom State.

When discipline is enforced, trust will be restored. This is important because, in the medical system where a patient’s survival depends on whether a doctor shows up or not, trust is vital.

Some facts which have come to light have raised troubling questions about the culture of divided loyalties in the health sector. While doctors seek additional jobs, patients, especially pregnant women and infants, bear the brunt of their absence and sadly have to pay with their lives in extreme cases, such as those of Etinan and Ikot Ekpene.

As the state intensifies its disciplinary measures, the unanswered question remains: How many more lives must be lost before absenteeism by medical personnel is fully stamped out?

…proposes N695bn Supplementary Budget

Following a comprehensive review of the administration’s healthcare development roadmap, the Akwa Ibom State Government has declared a State of Emergency on its Health Sector.

This is to accelerate reforms and further deliver efficient healthcare services in line with the ARISE agenda of the administration.

Commissioner for Information, Elder Aniekan Umanah, who briefed Government House reporters after the weekly State Executive Council explained that the, “key directives under this emergency regime include further upgrade of medical facilities across the State, reopening of the recruitment portal and engagement of 2,000 healthcare workers, with the voters identity card number requirement waived for applicants.”

According to the Commissioner, the Executive Council presided over by the Governor, Pastor Umo Eno,PhD, “further directed the upgrading of health training institutions, enrollment and training of health professionals, as well as the engagement of retired but willing medical personnel on contract basis“.

The State Government also announced the constitution of an Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee, with membership drawn from relevant ministries and agencies, to ensure prompt and efficient implementation of the emergency measures.

The Exco also proposed a supplementary bill of ₦695 billion, raising the total budget size of 2025 to ₦1.65 trillion, comprising ₦125,664,328,180 for Recurrent Expenditure and ₦569,335,671,820 for Capital Expenditure.

The supplementary budget is expected to provide for the implementation of the new minimum wage and personnel emoluments, allowances for NYSC members serving in the State and Akwa Ibom NYSC members serving outside the State, emergency flood and erosion control, completion of ongoing projects affected by inflation, construction of new infrastructure across the State, purchase of Ibom CNG Mass Transit buses, funding for newly created Ministries of Sports, Digital Economy, Humanitarian Services and the Bureau of Rural Development and Cooperatives, the Tree Crop Revolution programme, construction of new housing estates, renovation of the House of Assembly complex, capital provisions for the acquisition of new aircraft, and the development of the ARISE Shopping City.

The meeting also had in attendance the Deputy Governor, Senator(Dr) Akon Eyakenyi; the Secretary to the State Government; the Head of the Civil Service; the Executive Assistant and Chief Delivery Advisor; Honourable Commissioners; and Special Advisers.

…proposes N695bn Supplementary Budget

Following a comprehensive review of the administration’s healthcare development roadmap, the Akwa Ibom State Government has declared a State of Emergency on its Health Sector.

This is to accelerate reforms and further deliver efficient healthcare services in line with the ARISE agenda of the administration.

Commissioner for Information, Elder Aniekan Umanah, who briefed Government House reporters after the weekly State Executive Council explained that the, “key directives under this emergency regime include further upgrade of medical facilities across the State, reopening of the recruitment portal and engagement of 2,000 healthcare workers, with the voters identity card number requirement waived for applicants.”

According to the Commissioner, the Executive Council presided over by the Governor, Pastor Umo Eno,PhD, “further directed the upgrading of health training institutions, enrollment and training of health professionals, as well as the engagement of retired but willing medical personnel on contract basis“.

The State Government also announced the constitution of an Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee, with membership drawn from relevant ministries and agencies, to ensure prompt and efficient implementation of the emergency measures.

The Exco also proposed a supplementary bill of ₦695 billion, raising the total budget size of 2025 to ₦1.65 trillion, comprising ₦125,664,328,180 for Recurrent Expenditure and ₦569,335,671,820 for Capital Expenditure.

The supplementary budget is expected to provide for the implementation of the new minimum wage and personnel emoluments, allowances for NYSC members serving in the State and Akwa Ibom NYSC members serving outside the State, emergency flood and erosion control, completion of ongoing projects affected by inflation, construction of new infrastructure across the State, purchase of Ibom CNG Mass Transit buses, funding for newly created Ministries of Sports, Digital Economy, Humanitarian Services and the Bureau of Rural Development and Cooperatives, the Tree Crop Revolution programme, construction of new housing estates, renovation of the House of Assembly complex, capital provisions for the acquisition of new aircraft, and the development of the ARISE Shopping City.

The meeting also had in attendance the Deputy Governor, Senator(Dr) Akon Eyakenyi; the Secretary to the State Government; the Head of the Civil Service; the Executive Assistant and Chief Delivery Advisor; Honourable Commissioners; and Special Advisers.

...as Scholarship Scheme Admits 5 New Beneficiaries

Five more pupils of nursery, primary and secondary school levels have been admitted into the Hensek Scholarship Scheme, which is part of Hensek Integrated Services' corporate social responsibility targeting the education sector.

The new entrants were the winners of each of the five categories at the Hensek/Atlantic FM Spelling Bee Competition 2025 which held on Thursday, September 11, 2025 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state.

They are, Dominion Ikpeobong Bassey of the nursery category, Uwakekommabasi Uyoata Uko from the lower primary (1-3) category, Treasure Christopher Iwok of the upper primary (4-6) category, Solace Uwem John from the junior secondary (jss 1-3) category, and UyaiAbasi Emmanuel Paulinus from the senior secondary (SS 1-3) category.

The scholarship scheme which covers the beneficiaries to tertiary institution level is sponsored by Engr. Uwem Okoko, MD/CEO of Hensek Integrated Services as part of the company's corporate social responsibilities aiming to impact on the education sector.

The runners-up, third and fourth positions were awarded with cash prizes while all the contestants got back-to-school packages courtesy of the wife of the Chief Sponsor of the competition, Mrs Nyakno Uwem Okoko, as their reward for scaling through the preliminaries.

Earlier in his address, the MD/CEO of Hensek Integrated Services, Engr. Uwem Okoko had hinted that the best pupils in each category will be picked for scholarship that will cover their education up to university level.

His words: "Your Excellency and the First Lady, what we normally do is we have five categories. We just finished the nursery, the junior primary and the senior primary. Next will be the junior secondary and the senior secondary. What we do is after we finish, each of the categories, we'll pick the best and give them scholarship to the university level."

He noted that most of the pupils that participated in the competition were from public schools, and commended the state government for its positive impact on the educational sector, while also appreciating the teachers in public schools, as, according to him, they are doing a good job.

Engr. Okoko added that it was a great honour on him to host an event of that nature which provides a stage for the young ones to display their brilliance and talents, while further encouraging more parents to follow up the process which he said begins around February and March online or on Atlantic FM, so they can have their kids registered for next year's edition.

Delivering a goodwill message, the State Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi appreciated Engr. Okoko for sponsoring 8 editions of the contest so far, adding that his led construction firm has successfully carved a niche for itself through some very robust and impacting areas of corporate social responsibility.

Sen Eyakenyi who was represented by Mr. Joseph Esidem stressed that Okoko's visionary and hardworking disposition is what has stood Hensek Integrated Services out as a famous construction giant that has contributed significantly to the transformation of the Akwa Ibom State landscape.


In her message, the Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Mrs Helen Obareki commended Hensek Integrated Services for taking corporate social responsibility to a higher level, adding that the Spelling bee contest demonstrated the company's commitment to the generation beyond now.

Speaking through her representative Dr. Itoro Etim who represents Uruan State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Obareki stressed that education and learning is at the center of making it in the world of tomorrow, adding that there is no better way of giving back to the society than bringing children together and encouraging them to learn and become better in the future.

"I thank Engr. and Mrs Uwem Okoko for agreeing to be used by God to do this work. I want to also thank Atlantic FM for coming together for partnership with Hensek to do this for the past eight years", she added.


The event was witnessed by dignitaries from the public and private sectors, including the Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, Coordinator of the First Lady's office, Mrs. Helen Obareki, Secretary to State Government, Mr Enobong Uwah, Commissioners for Education, Culture and Tourism, Youth and Sports, Members representing Eket, Uyo, Mkpat Enin, Ini, Ikot Ekpene/Obot Akara, Ikot Abasi/Eastern Obolo, Council Chairman of Ikot Abasi LGA and two former Transition committee chairmen of Mkpat Enin LGA, among others.

All is now set for the Grand Finale of the 2025 Hensek/Atlantic FM Spelling Bee Competition for pupils of Primary and secondary school levels.

The grand finale is set to take place at Flair More event center, 98 Edet Akpan Avenue (four lanes close to Uma Ukpai) Uyo, Akwa Ibom state on Thursday September 11, 2025, by 9AM.

NOTE: All qualified contestants must be seated at the venue before 9AM to avoid disqualification.

Contestants for this year's edition had competed in the preliminaries and won entry into the grand finale. However, this year's edition will launch the audience session where kids in the audience will have a chance to compete and win fabulous prizes. Hence, parents of kids within the aforementioned school levels are encouraged to help their kids turn up for the event.


Signed:
Ubong Sampson, ANIPR
for Organising Committee

.... 𝐋𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐔𝐁𝐄𝐂/𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐂𝐄𝐅 𝐄𝐧𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐠𝐧

By AmanamHillary Umo-Udofia

On a breezy Thursday morning in Uyo, the usually serene premises of Christ the King Model Primary School came alive with conversations, laughter, and anticipation. From government officials to traditional rulers, educators to civil society advocates, all gathered with a shared purpose: to ensure that no child is left behind in the pursuit of education.

The occasion was the flag-off of the 2025/2026 South-South Regional Enrollment Drive and Campaign to Reduce Out-of-School Children, jointly organized by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). For Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, PhD, the event symbolized far more than a routine enrollment campaign - it was a reaffirmation of his administration’s vision of free, inclusive, and quality education for every child in line with the ARISE Agenda.

Represented by the State Commissioner for Education, Professor Ubong Umoh, Governor Eno declared that neither the circumstances of one’s birth nor economic status should foreclose a child’s legitimate right to education. He described education as a powerful social equalizer and a life-changing tool capable of lifting children out of poverty while securing the state’s collective future.

Over the past two years, Governor Eno’s administration has approached the challenge of out-of-school children with deliberate, holistic strategies. Beyond sustaining the long-standing free education policy from primary to secondary levels, the government has invested heavily in infrastructure, teacher development, and learning resources. Thirty-one model schools are under construction across all local government areas, with twelve completed and nineteen at various stages of completion. The state is also establishing world-class model secondary schools across the three senatorial districts, designed to provide a seamless transition for learners.

Yet, the government’s efforts extend beyond bricks and mortar. Free books, uniforms, shoes, and school bags are now standard provisions for pupils, reducing financial burdens on parents. Teachers are being retrained and hundreds of new ones to be recruited, all equipped with modern teaching techniques to match global best practices. These interventions, the governor revealed, have already boosted school enrollment figures significantly, positioning Akwa Ibom as one of the leading states tackling the out-of-school children crisis.

Governor Eno commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for initiating the nationwide enrollment drive and praised the strategic collaboration between UBEC and UNICEF. He described the effort as a critical investment in Nigeria’s human capital development and a necessary step toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4, ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education for all.

At the event, stakeholders from across the education ecosystem lent their voices to the campaign. Rt. Hon. Anietie Etuk, PhD, Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), pledged to intensify enrollment campaigns within Akwa Ibom. The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) lauded the initiative but called for more teacher recruitment to match the rising enrollment figures. The Chairman of the State Technical School Board, Godwin Udom, identified poverty, cultural norms, and environmental factors as major drivers of out-of-school children and applauded the state government’s efforts to tackle these root causes.

Traditional institutions also pledged their support. Represented by the Village Head of Uyo, the Paramount Ruler of Uyo urged community leaders to sensitize parents and guardians while advocating for the reintroduction of school feeding programmes to encourage attendance. Similarly, Comrade Nsibiet John, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Akwa Ibom, appealed to the Federal Government to pay greater attention to rural schools and challenged teachers to uphold discipline and values in shaping young minds.

One of the most symbolic moments of the day was the distribution of free school uniforms, bags, and books to newly enrolled pupils, a gesture that underscored the government’s commitment to removing barriers to education. Officials also issued a firm directive in line with the free education policy of the state: no school is permitted to collect registration fees from pupils. Head teachers found violating this policy, they warned, would be sanctioned and demoted back to classroom teaching.

With over 20 million out-of-school children nationwide, the UBEC/UNICEF initiative launched in Uyo represents a bold, collective step towards reversing the tide. By combining federal policy, state-led innovation, and community-driven advocacy, Akwa Ibom is setting the pace for what is possible when all stakeholders work together.

For Governor Umo Eno, the vision is clear: education is the strongest weapon against poverty and inequality. “Education,” he insists, “is how we secure our collective future. We owe it to every child to open the doors of opportunity as wide as possible.”

As the enrollment drive sweeps through the South-South region and beyond, Akwa Ibom stands as a model of what can be achieved when political will, strategic investment, and communal responsibility converge. In Governor Eno’s determination lies a powerful message - no child in Akwa Ibom will be left behind.

AmanamHillary Umo-Udofia, PhD, is a Special Assistant on Media to the Akwa Ibom State Governor

Edidiong Stephen
Sept. 4, 2025. Uyo.

The draw for all team sports of the upcoming 2025 Akwa Ibom State Sports Festival has been held.

At a brief but colourful ceremony held today, Thursday, at the Business Lounge of Godswill Akpabio Stadium, and attended by members of the inter-ministerial committee which is also the Main Organizing Committee - MOC, of the games, as well as Supervisors for Youth and Sports of the thirty-one LGAs of the state, the draw, held on the basis of federal constituency, sprung up interesting ties.

Ibesikpo Asutan and Uyo renew old rivalry straightaway on day one, Obot Akara face off against Essien Udim, while Ikot Abasi and Mkpat Enin will set out to properly adjudicate matters when the games get under way.

Elsewhere, Onna will keep a date with Esit Eket, Oron take on Mbo, while Ikot Ekpene, Eastern Obolo, Nsit Ibom, Abak, and Urue-offong/Oruko all drew bye and are exempt from day-one action.

In his remarks, the chairman of the MOC and Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, stated that the draw was a one-off for all team sports, explaining that the fixtures will be maintained for all five team sports of the festival.

"These fixtures will stand the same for all five team sports of volleyball, basketball, football, beach volleyball, and handball in the male, female, junior and senior categories." "Competition venues and dates will be released in due course." He said.

"Arrivals will take place on Sunday, September 7, opening ceremony on Monday, September 8, while competition begins on Tuesday, September 9." "Accommodation and basic amenities like security, water and power supply have been provided at Cornelia Connelly College, Uyo, and Lutheran High School, Obot Idim, both of which have been selected as camp sites." Mr Bassey added.

The ceremony was also attended by the Commissioner for Youth Development - Dr Ekerete Ekanem, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare - Mrs Inibehe Silas, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Sports - Mrs Rosemary Ubia, and management staff of the ministry, the Technical Director, Athletics Federation of Nigeria - Coach Gabriel Okon, the chairman of Akwa Ibom State Football Association - Mr Samuel Umoh, and his board members, among other personalities.

See full fixtures below!

The recent release of the Akwa Ibom State empowerment beneficiaries list by His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, under the A.R.I.S.E. Agenda, has sparked discussions across the state. Some political support group leaders have voiced concerns on social media, claiming that funds have neither been released nor received by their group members. However, it is important to clarify the process and set the records straight for public understanding.

Governor Umo Eno’s commitment to transparency led to the creation of the ARISE Portal, a platform for support group leaders to register their members for government empowerment programmes. The registration aims to ensure direct and equitable access to the various grants, equipment, and job opportunities provided by the government without favoritism or duplication. The policy that one individual cannot benefit twice was made clear, supported by the use of the National Identification Number (NIN) to guarantee fairness and broaden the impact.

Some group leaders, seeking to maximize their numbers, registered non-members including individuals who had already benefited from other programmes like Ibom-led, SME grants, and market grants.

As someone who has personally received a grant from the state through the Ibom-LED before later being listed with another group (not as a genuine member, but to make up numbers), I can attest that the records published in the government’s official list are accurate. The only amount recorded for the said group was from my earlier benefit from Ibom-led which confirms the government’s transparency in publishing the beneficiary list.

For the avoidance of doubt, my testimony comes as an ordinary citizen and beneficiary, not as an aid or affiliate of the Governor or his office. The aim is simply to present the facts and support open governance in Akwa Ibom State.

Miss Bassey is a beneficiary of the Governor’s business support grant

The recent release of the Akwa Ibom State empowerment beneficiaries list by His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, under the A.R.I.S.E. Agenda, has sparked discussions across the state. Some political support group leaders have voiced concerns on social media, claiming that funds have neither been released nor received by their group members. However, it is important to clarify the process and set the records straight for public understanding.

Governor Umo Eno’s commitment to transparency led to the creation of the ARISE Portal, a platform for support group leaders to register their members for government empowerment programmes. The registration aims to ensure direct and equitable access to the various grants, equipment, and job opportunities provided by the government without favoritism or duplication. The policy that one individual cannot benefit twice was made clear, supported by the use of the National Identification Number (NIN) to guarantee fairness and broaden the impact.

Some group leaders, seeking to maximize their numbers, registered non-members including individuals who had already benefited from other programmes like Ibom-led, SME grants, and market grants.

As someone who has personally received a grant from the state through the Ibom-LED before later being listed with another group (not as a genuine member, but to make up numbers), I can attest that the records published in the government’s official list are accurate. The only amount recorded for the said group was from my earlier benefit from Ibom-led which confirms the government’s transparency in publishing the beneficiary list.

For the avoidance of doubt, my testimony comes as an ordinary citizen and beneficiary, not as an aid or affiliate of the Governor or his office. The aim is simply to present the facts and support open governance in Akwa Ibom State.

Miss Bassey is a beneficiary of the Governor’s business support grant

. . .pass vote of confidence on the Governor

Traders in Akwa Ibom State have applauded Governor Umo Eno for what they described as his transparent and inclusive approach to the disbursement of empowerment packages in the state.

The commendation came during a meeting on Thursday August 28, 2025, in Uyo between the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Market Matters, Akparawa Idorenyin Raphael, and market presidents, leaders of traders’ groups, and some stakeholders in the sector.

The Governor's Aide, who referenced the recently published list of beneficiaries by the State Ministry of Information, said the openness of the process had boosted confidence in the administration.

According to him, a total of 3,445 traders across all local government areas of the state have so far benefited from the empowerment programme, under the Arise 2 billion naira Traders' grant.

He applauded the Governor’s emphasis on digitalization of governance processes, particularly in citizens’ empowerment, describing it as a model of modern public administration.

Raphael urged traders across the state who are yet to register on the official government portal to do so and benefit from future programmes.

He reaffirmed the group’s support for Governor Eno ahead of the 2027 elections, expressing optimism that the ARISE Agenda would continue to deliver growth and inclusivity for the people of the state.

“We consider this not just an empowerment exercise, but a tangible demonstration of a government that is purpose-driven, people-centric, and anchored on the pillars of sustainable development and youth empowerment,” Raphael said.

The traders unanimously passed a vote of confidence on the Governor, noting that the empowerment initiatives is a fulfilment of his campaign promises and his commitment to building an open and accessible system of governance.

By Clement Warrie

One must begin by conceding a painful truth: Assam Abia is clearly a man of misplaced genius. His recent article; Free Food in Akwa Ibom: A Misplaced Priority," builds unfortunate economic castles in the sky while willfully ignoring human suffering below. What a genius!

Mr Abia who has never missed a meal in his life has clearly outdone himself. His crafty and inexplicable preoccupation with the Chinese and the prospect of the rolling mill is clearly mischievous. According to his calculations, the state should rather wait on hope for their return while neglecting the need of half a million Akwa Ibom vulnerable families.

Mr Abia gets creative about governance being about creating opportunities in times of peace and distributing handouts: This is a classic definition of being smart by half. One is forced to enquire: does peace magically erase poverty or market failures? Or is it that because Akwa Ibom is not currently a war zone, its citizens who are experiencing food insecurity are lazy people doomed to be corrupted by free food?

In a sheer display of blissful ignorance, Mr Abia pretends to forget hunger rages in many homes across the country. This is not the fault of the government of Akwa Ibom state. But Abia insists aid should be withheld for the vulnerable to tighten their belts. His hypothesis to the matter is to “starve the present to feed the future “ But Nobel laureate, Amartya Sen, a fearless realist, famously argued that hunger in the land are political failures, often occurring not from lack of food but lack of accountability to those needing food.

Abia is a rambler who finds an unwary voice in Obong Nathaniel Akpan, a fictional rice farmer in Ibiono Ibom, who rightly calls for agricultural investment to which the government of Governor Umo Eno, through his ARISE agenda on agriculture and food sufficiency, has long prioritized. Yet, Mr. Abia, with characteristic impatience for human frailty, seems to forget or ignore what a lot of households similar to the 477,797 households could go through while the transition takes effect.


The irony peaks when Abia jabbed that Governance is not about sharing food but about building a future where no citizen needs government rice to survive. But one need not be smart to see what he did there. A beautiful sentiment, one that everyone desires. Except that the road to that eldorado is fraught with unintended spurs, requiring major fixes.

Choosing to alleviate the suffering of people today so they are alive and nourished to participate in building a glorious future is unfortunately branded by Abia as a waste of time.

One can only hope, albeit with cautious optimism, the heights Abia’s intellect could reach if liberated from the constraints of partisan sniping. Imagine if that energy were channeled into proper use rather than deployed in needless brinkmanship to appear woke while mischievously undermining the desperate needs of the vulnerable population of Akwa Ibom state.

By Aniekan Umanah

Governance in Akwa Ibom State is no longer defined by files, memos, and boardroom briefings. Under Governor Umo Eno, it is about action, presence, participation, and results. This was clearly demonstrated during his recent two-day Projects Oversight Tour, an exercise that has reshaped the way project monitoring is done in the State and left a trail of excitement among youth, women, communities, and contractors.

Until now, project delivery meetings were held within the banquet hall of Government House. Ministries, delivery advisors, and consultants gave updates and reports. Governor Eno chose a new path. He moved the meetings into the field, walking through project sites, engaging contractors and listening to community voices. In two days, he and his team inspected twenty-four projects cutting across Healthcare, Transportation, Infrastructure, Security, and Tourism amongst others .

At every site, the scenes spoke louder than words could. The clang of hammers, the hum of machines, the murmur of traders, and the laughter of youths blended into a chorus of progress. Tons of artisans, workers, and vendors filled the project areas, a vivid reminder that each intervention is more than bricks and mortar, it is a marketplace of hope, a stage where livelihoods are earned and futures are built. From welders shaping steel to women selling food by the roadside, every hand found purpose in the rhythm of construction.

What stood out was not just the number of projects, but the human stories. At the Agricultural Equipment Leasing Facility , the Governor met the female Managing Director, steering a vital initiative with uncommon grace and professionalism. Designed to give farmers access to modern equipment, the project is a seedbed for food sufficiency. Governor Eno was visibly moved, noting that women are truly part of the State’s developmental trajectory.

On the Nsit Atai–Okobo road, another verse of empowerment unfolded. Beyond adding a 5 Kilometers spur to Odot at off the stretch, Female project managers, clad in steel helmets and reflective jackets, commanded respect on a site once reserved for men. Their firm voices rose above the din of engines, charting the path of progress with authority. To onlookers, especially young girls and boys—it was a living poem: proof that ambition knows no gender, and that the future belongs to those bold enough to claim it.

Threaded through every stop was the Governor’s emphasis on local content. He reminded contractors and citizens alike that development must carry local fingerprints. “We cannot continue to depend on outsiders when we have competent hands here at home,” he said, his words echoing like a pledge. Projects, he insisted, must not only leave behind structures but also weave prosperity into the fabric of local communities.

And then came his clarion call to the youth. With over four hundred projects open on the State’s procurement portal, he urged young people to rise, to register, to compete, and to seize the opportunities waiting for them. His message was simple yet stirring: the future of Akwa Ibom is not a promise, it is a responsibility, and it belongs to its youth.

As the tour drew to a close, what lingered was not just the sight of rising buildings, stretching roads, or new agricultural hubs. It was the sense that a deeper architecture was at work the architecture of inclusion. Women breaking barriers. Youth stepping into the arena. Communities asked to guard what is built in their name.

The final stop of the tour was no less symbolic. Under the glow of night, the Governor led his team through the monumental ARISE Resort, a shining jewel of tourism and hospitality rising from the shackles of over 70 hectares of reclaimed gullies, Its grandeur under the stars spoke of possibility, of a State confident in its future and proud of its promise.

And as the night breeze swept across the resort’s vast expanse, the day’s journey seemed to find its own poetry: a government that listens, a leader who walks with his people, and a future being built brick by brick, dream by dream, heartbeat by heartbeat.

...Drums Support for President Tinubu .

In line with the ongoing All Progressives Congress, APC, Statewide Ward membership registration, the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has validated his membership with the Party at his Ibiakpan Obotim Ward II.

The Governor who secured the 001 registration number on the party register, called on the party faithful and intending members to register at their different Wards .

"This exercise becomes necessary in order to validate and revalidate the authentic members of the Party.

"All members and intending members of the Party are directed to get registered at their respective Wards to prove their true membership and loyalty to the Party", he stressed.

According to the Governor, the Party's membership validation exercise will go on for a period of one month before it is temporarily closed.

"At the end of the validation exercise, the new membership register will be recognized to serve as the authentic working document of the Party.

"So, all the Party faithful and supporters that progressively moved with me to the APC are expected to be fully involved in this registration and validation exercise in their various Wards for us to formally know their stance and alignment with the party", he said.

Fielding questions from Government House Correspondents shortly after the registration, the Governor expressed satisfaction with the smooth conduct of the exercise and charged members of the Party to be patient and orderly during the registration process.

"I feel good to validate our registration in the Party at our Ward level. It is what every larty member is expected to do to update his or her membership.

"I feel good to join the Party. It is a deliberate calculation and a strategic move to the centre in the interest of our State.

"It is a decision to fully support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to continue in his laudable economic transformation of Nigeria, and also support our illustrious son, the Senate President, Chief Godswill Akpabio, to continue with his sterling leadership at the Senate.

The Governor therefore enjoined the people to continue to work in unity, peace, and love for a united Akwa Ibom, reiterating that a united people will always remain a progressive people.

"As no one is able to break a bunch of brooms, which is our Party's symbol, let us continue to be united in oneness of purpose, common growth and greatness as a unique people of one ancestry.

"Let no one divide us and set us up against ourselves. Make sure you are registered and the Party membership ticket issued to you because most of our empowerments will be done according to our Party's official registers.

The Party's membership registration exercise at Ibiakpan Obotim Ward II witnessed a large turnout of members and would-be members of the APC who were enthusiastic and excited to participate in the registration.

The Akwa Ibom State Government has dismissed the renewed controversies surrounding its ownership of 76 offshore oil wells, maintaining that the Supreme Court decision on the issue is final.

The Apex Court in July 2012 had placed a seal on Akwa Ibom’s ownership of the oil wells, dismissing claims to it by the Cross River State Government.

But recent reports attributed to the government of Cross River State, suggested that the issue of ownership of the wells would be up for review and that a political settlement was in the offing.

But in a swift reaction; the Government of Akwa Ibom State is firm that a decision made by the apex court of the land is judgement in rem and cannot neither be appealed nor deliberated further.

Addressing the issue on ARISE NEWS TV, Sunday morning, the State Commissioner for Information, Elder Aniekan Umanah, urged the public to disregard any circulating claims or rumours, emphasizing that the July 2012 ruling of the Supreme Court remains final and binding.

"This is a settled matter. The Supreme Court, in July 2012, ruled on this matter and placed a permanent seal on this conversation.

“That is the highest court of the land. Once the Supreme Court gives a ruling, it is final. This is not a matter we should even talk about.

“This is a matter that Akwa Ibom State did not even take to court. I mean it is sealed”, he argued.

The Commissioner also took the opportunity to spotlight the progress being recorded under Governor Umo Eno’s administration, noting that the ARISE Agenda continues to deliver visible results across various sectors of the state.

He highlighted achievements in education, agriculture, rural development, youth empowerment, security, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and road infrastructure, noting that the ARISE Agenda is not just a policy; but a real experience for Akwa Ibom people, as its impacts are being felt across the nook cranies of the State.

He gave further insight on the tourism sector where Governor Eno is turning a ravine ravaged community into a one-stop tourism and hospitality resort, the ARISE PARK in Uyo, the Marine Resort In Oron, the 5000 Seats International Convention Center and Ibom Tropicana Hotel project among indicators of the plans to make the State a tourism hub, and also harped on the initiatives to sustain the peace enjoyed in the State.

On the recent visit by Governor Umo Eno, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and two other Senators from the State to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Commissioner Umanah described the visit as a strategic move to strengthen ties with the Federal Government for the accelerated development of the state.

He mentioned that discussions during the visit focused on securing federal support for critical infrastructure projects in Akwa Ibom, including the Ibom Deep Seaport and other priority initiatives.

It would be recalled that following discontent over the political solution on the oil wells by the then President Olusegun Obasanjo Administration, the Cross Rivers state government under Liyel Imoke had dragged the Federal Government and the Akwa Ibom state government to court on grounds that some of the oil wells ceded to her by virtue of the agreement reached at a meeting called by the former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, in 2006, were not released.

Cross River lost her status as a littoral state after the Federal Government ceded the oil-rich Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon in 2008.

The seven justices of the court headed by the outgoing Chief Justice of Nigeria, Dahiru Musdapher, in their ruling, submitted that the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMFAC) was right in attributing the oil wells to Akwa Ibom at the inter-agencies meeting.

Before delivering the lead judgment, the court dismissed Cross River’s application, pointing out that the agreement which initially gave the state rights to the 76 oil wells was frustrated by the handing over of Bakassi to Cameroon.

Mrs Adekeye held that the 13 per cent derivation revenue on the 76 oil wells between Akwa Ibom state and Cross River State must continue to be attributed to the state that has the maritime territory.

“Cross River State no longer has any maritime boundary,” she said.

“It is landlocked. The plaintiff not being a littoral state and not having a maritime boundary, the 76 oil wells, which are the subject matter of the suit, which lie offshore and within a maritime territory, cannot be attributed to it.

“The plaintiff has no maritime territory since the cessation of Bakassi Peninsula, and the Cross River estuary, which used to be part of the state prior to August 2008. The present position of the plaintiff cannot be blamed on any government agency, particularly the National Boundary Commission and the RMAFC. The two statutory bodies must perform their statutory duties based on facts and realities to compile the indices for the payment of the derivation revenues to entitled states,” she said.

By Aniebiet Francis

“There is no Black Panther without Denzel Washington.”- Chadwick Boseman

Years before the world knew his name, Chadwick Boseman stood at the crossroads of a dream and a dead end. He had gained admission into a prestigious acting program at Oxford University, but couldn’t afford the fees. Unknown to him, Denzel Washington quietly paid his tuition. That single act of generosity didn’t just send Boseman to school, it launched a legacy.

This is what true leadership does: it becomes the ladder others climb on to rise.
In Akwa Ibom today, Governor Umo Eno is becoming that ladder for many, lifting, supporting, and empowering those who dare to dream but lack the means.

One of the most moving illustrations of this is the story of Barrister Udeme Ekanem, a visually impaired young man who, against all odds, has just been called to the Nigerian Bar. His journey from the University of Uyo to the Law School, and ultimately to becoming a lawyer, almost ended prematurely due to lack of funds. But hope came in the form of a ₦5 million educational grant from Governor Umo Eno. That single act of kindness transformed a boy’s dream into a national testimony.

Today, Udeme stands not just as a lawyer, but as a symbol of what is possible when governance meets compassion. His story is not an isolated case, it is part of a pattern, a signature of the Governor's style of leadership under the ARISE Agenda, which places premium value on human dignity, inclusivity, and empowerment.

Recall, the story of the physically challenged shoemaker in Uyo. Crippled but not conquered, he toiled daily under the sun, handcrafting shoes with a smile and a heart full of hope. That hope found fulfillment when Governor Eno saw him and decided to intervene. The Governor didn’t just give him handouts, he gave him a future. He gifted him a tricycle (Keke) for mobility, a line of three shops, one serving as a factory, the other as a showroom, and the third for lease. That shoemaker is now an employer of labor, a self-sufficient entrepreneur who embodies the ARISE philosophy: Help people stand so they too can lift others.

Another unforgettable moment was when Mrs. Patience Umanah, a struggling dried food vendor, publicly cried out for help to expand her cassava and banana drying business. She was overwhelmed with passion but constrained by lack of funds to rent a shop and acquire basic equipment. Governor Umo Eno did not just hear her cry he responded. He immediately approved ₦2 million in cash support and followed it up with ₦3 million worth of equipment to set her up properly. Her tears of frustration became tears of joy, and her hustle is now a structured, sustainable business.

Then there’s the touching story of a mother who got a job because her young son performed for the Governor during a visit to their school. Impressed by his talent, Governor Eno asked what he could do for him. The boy didn’t ask for toys, clothes, or gadgets, he asked for a job for his mother. That honest, selfless request melted the Governor’s heart. Without hesitation, he offered his mother employment. In a country where bureaucracy and connection often determine opportunity, this act stood out as a powerful statement: every citizen matters.

These stories are not random, they are evidences of a deliberate and consistent commitment to compassion-driven leadership. Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda is more than infrastructure or policy, it’s about people. It’s about lifting those at the bottom of the ladder, one dream at a time.

Dr. Umo Eno is building roads and the people. He is fixing infrastructure, as well as destinies.
And in every life touched, in every dream restored, we see a clear message: Hope is alive in Akwa Ibom.

Governor Umo Eno is proving to be the Denzel Washington of Akwa Ibom, the hand that lifts the next generation, the ladder that dreamers climb to greatness.

Indeed! Akwa Ibom is rising in compassion, inclusivity, and shared humanity. And that, perhaps, is the greatest legacy any leader can leave behind.

…Adopt Voice Vote to Back Trio for Second Term

Leaders and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) across Akwa Ibom State have unanimously pledged their support for the reelection of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Governor Umo Eno in the 2027 general elections.

The endorsement came during a high-level APC stakeholders’ meeting held on Friday, July 11, 2025, at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Uyo. The gathering brought together party chieftains from the state, chapter, and ward levels, signaling a moment of unity and strategic alignment within the party.

Presiding over the motion , Senate President, Chief Dr. Godswill Akpabio, conducted a voice vote in which party leaders overwhelmingly affirmed their support for the three leaders, vowing to work collectively to secure their return to office in 2027.

“By your voices, you have spoken loudly and clearly. Akwa Ibom stands united in support of President Tinubu, Governor Umo Eno, and my humble self for continuity and progress,” Akpabio declared.

Governor Umo Eno, in his remarks, expressed gratitude for the confidence reposed in him by the party and reaffirmed his commitment to peace, unity, and inclusive governance. He pledged to work closely with President Tinubu and Senator Akpabio to drive development across the state.

“What matters now is unity of party and of purpose. I am here to serve all Akwa Ibomites and to work for the good of our state and nation,” Governor Eno said.

Acknowledging the Senate President, the governor said, “Your Excellency, we celebrate you and hold you in high regard for ensuring that Akwa Ibom gets its rightful place at the national level.”

Speaking to the party stakeholders, the governor declared, “I am here to work with you and to support you in the interest of unity and progress of our state. Our first task is to update our party register and bring everyone together under one united front Team Akwa Ibom.”

Earlier, APC State Chairman, Obong Stephen Ntukekpo, described the gathering as a significant milestone in the evolution of the party in the state. He praised the peaceful atmosphere and growing synergy between state and national leaders, saying it would strengthen the APC’s position ahead of 2027.

The meeting also witnessed the formal handover of the party structure in Akwa Ibom to Governor Umo Eno, a symbolic gesture reinforcing his new role as leader of the party in the state.

Stakeholders in attendance described the moment as a new chapter for Akwa Ibom APC, where loyalty, strategic collaboration, and shared political vision are now taking center stage.

Essien Ndueso

Like ash that speaks as evidence of a fire long extinguished, one of Akwa Ibom's transformative leaders, whose imprints continue to speak volumes years after exiting office, is Mr Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, CON, who Governed the State between May 2015 and May 2023.

Under his 8 years leadership, Akwa Ibom state witnessed palpable peace and a remarkable development strides, driven by innovative policies and projects that redefined its economic, social, and infrastructural landscape.

Therefore, stating that his administration signposted the Akwa lbom's dream to the world, is simply stating the obvious.

Leadership they say, “is not about the next election but the next generation.” That phrase perfectly encapsulates the transformative vision of Mr Udom Emmanuel. From Aviation development to Security management, infrastructure, industrialization, Human Capacity building and Enterprise development down to Rural Development, his governance blueprint was simply targeted at the future. Udom Emmanuel believed that true leaders are those who plant trees under whose shades they don’t intend to sit.

One of his greatest achievements in office was the launch of Ibom Air, the state's flagship airline. While it was initially received by sceptics as an overambitious adventure, this audacious project not only boosted the state's economy but also provided employment opportunities for its citizens

Launched in 2019, Ibom Air has become a symbol of Akwa Ibom's economic growth, providing reliable air transportation services to the state's residents and visitors

To complement the airline, now regarded as the best in Nigeria, Emmanuel's administration also embarked on the completion of a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility and further built a new terminal building, proposed to be the smartest in the country.

He also trained and equipped several young Akwa Ibomites with the skills necessary to succeed in the aviation industry and initiated the Dakkada Skills Acquisition Center and other Dakkada entrepreneurial schemes for capacity enhancement.

On Road Infrastructure, Emmanuel's commitment to improving the state's road network led to the construction and rehabilitation of numerous roads, enhancing connectivity and facilitating economic growth.

Over 1500 kilometers of roads and 40 bridges were constructed or rehabilitated during his tenure. With super highways, ten lane roads, cable bridges, longest bridges in the State, among others.

Even local government areas like Udung Uko, Oruk Anam, Obot Akara and Ini, which previously had no presence of major state infrastructure, were able to have roads during his tenure.

In Healthcare, huge Investments made gave room to the massive transformation of most Secondary Health facilities that were previously dilapidated. From Ituk Mbang in Uruan LGA to Ikono, Oruk Anam to Onna and Ikot Ekpene to Ikot Abasi at least one general hospital in each federal constituency in the state had a face-lift under his leadership with the finest equipment from the developed clime to boost healthcare delivery. To his credit also was the 300-bed international isolation center and molecular laboratory in Uruan. Little wonder, Akwa Ibom was able to control the dreaded COVID19 pandemic, due the preparedness on ground.

Away from sustaining the free and compulsory education policy initiated by his predecessor, Emmanuel's administration recognized the importance of education in driving socio-economic development. Model Girls School in Abak, Samuel Bill College, the Army Command School in Efa, the Navy Secondary School in Ikot Ntuen and the Navy College in Onna attest to this.


As a Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel had zero tolerance for insecurity. His commitment to the security of lives and property didn’t just lead to the establishment of various initiatives aimed at promoting harmony and stability in the state but also made peace absolutely palpable. Local government areas like Ika, Ukanafun and Etim Ekpo fell under the siege of militants. How Udom practically walked into the den, fished out the notorious militants liberated the entire State, remains a mystery. But then peace became a tangible product of good governance under his watch.

Fondly called Mr Industrilisation, Akwa Ibom under his leadership had industries spring up like mushrooms. Another significant milestone was the establishment of the Akwa Ibom Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone, which has become a hub for industrial activities and economic growth. The state experienced a surge in investments, with companies like sterling global petrochemical leading the pack of companies now doing business in the State. The free trade zone, also came with a 60kva power sub station in Ekim that ensures uninterrupted Power supply in the industrial belt of the State.

His vision and foresight also likened him to the likes of Lee Kwan Yew, who believed that with the right infrastructure, and enabling environment, there would be no end to investments and development.

His Dakkada philosophy without doubt, did not only cause a mentality shift among youths but led to the numerous private enterprises set up by individuals thereby reducing the level of dependence in government.

As often said, ' it is not the number of our days on earth that matter but the impact our days have had on us”, Mr. Emmanuel's 59 years on earth have been very impactful.

Married to his beautiful wife, Dr. Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel, Udom has since deconstructed the notion that once a leader leaves office, he should remain relevant through surrogacy. He has kept his promise of returning to his private practice, allowing his successor, Pastor Dr. Umo Eno to freely run his ARISE Agenda for the people of the State. And currently, Governor Eno is on course to standing out as the best leader the State has ever produced, with his ARISE Agenda, a people centric leadership. As a true champion of progress, Udom Emmanuel has planted trees whose shades will benefit generations to come. Happy Birthday, Mr Integrity.

Samuel Anthony

Multiple award winning Nigerian airline, Ibom Air has declared N96bn revenue, N6.8bn net profit for year 2024, a large departure from the previous 2023 stunted performance, which it explained, stemmed from the unstable economic realities of the time.

One cannot but smile ear to ear in reminiscing the rare decision of the Akwa Ibom State immediate past governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, CON, to commit investments into the first ever sub national-owned airline during this reign as the State's Chief Executive; an initiative which is currently enjoying the sustaining ingenuity of Pastor Umo Eno, PhD, Governor of Akwa Ibom State.

When the first sets of the airline’s aircraft arrived on the soil of Akwa Ibom State, cynics had gone on autopilot mode, deriding the project as a white elephant, meant to score cheap political points for the Governor who was then seeking a re-election. Even patriots had no reasons not to believe that the airline was a ruse, after all, the country, could not run one, and the current attempt only ended up on the drawing table, with just a logo to show.

But Emmanuel was one, not won’t to distractions, and with his eyes on the ball, pressed on, and in June 2023, the first African, sub-national airline started operations from Akwa Ibom State, with its unique selling points being, efficiency in service, relatively new aircraft, prompt time management delivery, and fair market pricing, among others.

But as a leader who has interest in sustaining the gains of his stewardship, Mr Emmanuel pitched his tent with another gentleman, who is humble, Godfearing, compassionate and experienced in effective management of human and material resources- Pastor Umo Eno. His success in the private sector, and the passion to lift the State, was evident in his campaign promises, that he will connect the dots, and build on the foundation laid by his predecessor. This, in the airline progress story, has seen Governor Eno, ensuring the acquisition of four additional aircraft, two CRJ jets and two Airbus A220-300 series.

In its first Public Annual General Meeting held June 25, 2025 at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, Ikot Ekpene in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, Ibom Airlines Limited announced a 43% Revenue Increase from N67b in 2023 to N96b in 2024. It also noted that the Operational Profit grew from a loss position of N3b in 2023 to a N16.5b profit in 2024, and a Net Profit from N8.7b loss in 2023 to N6.8b in 2024.

It is today heartwarming that the economic vision, forecast and calculations of Mr. Udom Emmanuel in the aviation investment pays off gladly and every proud Akwaibomite is falling head over heels in pride, with the steady growth of the Ibom Air brand.

Little wonder Udom Emmanuel himself had usually armed himself with a steady response to unrepentant media attacks from John 13:7, “Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter“, a response that resonates till date.

🎈In a heartwarming demonstration of empathy and people-focused leadership, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, on Tuesday commissioned two fully furnished ARISE Compassionate Homes for widows in Etim Ekpo and Essien Udim Local Government Areas, turning stories of despair into renewed hope.

🎈Represented by the immediate past Commissioner for Science and Technology, Prof. Imoh Moffat, the Governor inaugurated a two-bedroom bungalow in Uruk Ata Ikot Otok village, Etim Ekpo, for Madam Eno Dan Luke , a widow who tragically lost all nine of her children and whose home had previously collapsed.

🎈Governor Eno also presented her with a ₦500,000 resettlement grant. In his remarks, Prof. Moffat described the Governor as “a symbol of humility and wisdom,” urging citizens to emulate his heart for service and humanity.

🎈Overwhelmed with emotion, Madam Luke thanked the Governor for the life-changing gesture and offered heartfelt prayers for his continued success. She had been temporarily sheltered by Qua Iboe Church before the state’s intervention.

🎈The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Humanitarian Affairs, Prince Nsikakabasi Umo Ekpo, praised the Governor’s compassion-driven leadership and commended Mr. Nsidibe Udofia, a young humanitarian who brought Madam Luke’s plight to the government’s attention. In recognition, the Governor also rewarded Udofia with ₦500,000.

🎈At a similar event in Ekpenyong Atai, Essien Udim LGA, Governor Eno commissioned another Compassionate Home for Madam Nko Udo Udo, a widow with five children. She too received ₦500,000 for her upkeep.

🎈Chairman of Essien Udim LGA, Elder Ntiedo Usoro, described Governor Eno as “an icon of peace and unity,” pledging to furnish the home with a plasma TV and DSTV subscription. Other donations poured in from stakeholders in support of the initiative.

🎈Engr. Camillus Umoh (MD, Ibom Power Company) donated a cooking gas. Engr. Oliver Ebong provided a refrigerator. Engr. Enobong Patrick, a former chairmanship candidate, contributed ₦200,000. Obong Michael Afangideh donated ₦100,000. Barr. Imowo Okpokpo and Sir Nse Ntuen (former council chairman) also gave ₦100,000 each.

🎈Ibom Dynamic Ladies, a women-led group in Essien Udim, led by Felicia Jeromi, donated ₦50,000. Mr. Samuel Mel Ikpa contributed ₦150,000, while the SSA to the Governor, Abom Ephraim Okon, gave ₦250,000.

🎈In a strong show of support for the Governor’s compassionate vision, Hon. Prince Ukpong Akpabio, Member representing Essien Udim in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, pledged to personally sponsor another Compassionate Home in the area.

🎈Overcome with gratitude, Madam Nko Udo Udo expressed her joy: “I never believed I would ever become a homeowner. May God bless Governor Umo Eno.”

🎈These interventions, under the ARISE Compassionate Home initiative, reaffirm Governor Eno’s unwavering commitment to uplifting the vulnerable and ensuring that governance delivers dignity to the less privileged.

By Ekemini James

There are moments in governance when a leader is called not just to speak, but to sense the tremors of tomorrow and respond with the urgency of one entrusted with a fragile inheritance.

Such was the tone, the texture, and the timbre of Governor Umo Eno’s return from the United Nations Ocean Conference, a journey that was less about mileage and more about meaning.

At the Victor Attah International Airport, the crowd surged with joy, their voices loud, their hearts full. Yet, beneath the drums and dances, you could feel a weight that the Governor carried, something deeper than the noise of welcome. It was the weight of knowledge and exposure to the reality that the tides are not waiting for anyone.

Governor Eno had sat where the world convened to talk about oceans, not in abstract terms, but in immediate threats. He had listened to the language of urgency, to the science of survival, to the global chorus warning that if we fail to act now, we will soon be swallowed by our own indifference, and as he spoke to the press on arrival, one could tell that something had shifted, in perspective.

Akwa Ibom is not a theoretical coastal state. It is a real, living shoreline with people, communities, and livelihoods tethered to the whims of the sea. From Ibeno’s fishing camps to the fragile wetlands of Eastern Obolo, the ocean is both friend and foe.

It provides, yes, but it also encroaches and unless leadership responds with both policy and passion, we may wake one day to find that the land we once called home now belongs to the sea.

So when Governor Eno said that the conference armed his administration with “actionable points,” it was a sober admission that climate change has moved from the realm of conferences to the corridors of consequence. It was also a call to planners, to lawmakers, to local government heads, and to citizens not to wait for the flood before building the embankment.

That Akwa Ibom is now a recognized member of the United Nations Ocean Rise Collaboration may not mean much to the average market woman in Ikot Abasi, but it means that her Governor is thinking ahead, planting the seeds of resilience before the winds of disaster arrive.

And that, perhaps, is the most striking part of this journey, not that Governor Umo Eno attended an International Conference, but that he returned with a burden to act. That is the difference between travel and leadership.

We are witnessing, perhaps, a quiet evolution in the character of governance, where global relevance meets local responsibility. And if that is the path Pastor Umo Eno is choosing, then Akwa Ibom may yet become a model for coastal resilience, not just in Nigeria, but across the Gulf of Guinea.

Let me end my piece with the Governor's words while highlighting the gain of the UN Ocean Conference for Akwa Ibom people.

"The Ocean Rise Conference draws the world's attention to the effects of the ocean on our world as a result of climate change. And, there are some key and strategic moves and action plans that Sub-Nationals surrounded by the Ocean have to make in order to checkmate any upsurge effects of the Ocean."

"The Conference armed us with the necessary action plans for us to come back with the understanding that if we don't take care of this Ocean, in the next couple of years, we will not have our cities again.

"So, it was a nice Conference, and we made our contributions. We are back with some actionable points, and we will follow through. The important thing is that Akwa Ibom State is now a member of the United Nations Organization on Ocean Rise Collaboration."he said.

By Aniekan Umanah
–––––––––––––––––––––

It was a day when history and purpose converged, closing one chapter and opening another in bold, progressive print.

On Friday, June 6, 2025, the Banquet Hall of Government House, Uyo, Akwa Ibom’s iconic House of elegance and political gravitas overflowed with a diverse and expectant crowd. From early morning, waves of people streamed in: party loyalists, faith leaders, youth representatives, women leaders, and Nigeria’s political elite.

At the center of it all stood Governor Umo Eno, declaring a conscious, deliberate transition from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). It was not an impulsive decision, but one forged through months of deep consultation with stakeholders across the state and nation.

Perhaps the gravity of the day was best captured in the tone-setting remarks of Ambassador Assam E. Assam (SAN). The respected elder statesman called the move “a masterstroke in pragmatic leadership and statesmanship.” With the weight of experience and clarity of purpose, he urged Akwa Ibomites to “look beyond partisanship and behold purpose,” framing the day not as an end, but the beginning of a new collective possibility. His words set the tone: measured, hopeful, and decisive.

What marked this as no ordinary realignment was the convergence of several serving Progressive Governors, who traveled to Uyo to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with one of their own. Leading the delegation was Senator Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum. With him were Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi), Monday Okpebholo (Edo), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Prince Bassey Otu (Cross River), and Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo).

Their presence was not just symbolic, it was strategic, and a full-throttle endorsement of national alignment.

By midday, the Banquet Hall reverberated with chants of “On your Mandate we shall stand!”
Then came the defining moment.
Governor Umo Eno, calm and resolute, stood beneath a banner of unity and addressed his people. Quoting the Dalai Lama, he spoke of embracing change while holding firm to one’s values.

“Though I have changed my political affiliation,” he said, “my values, my moral fibre, and the fundamental principles I have nourished and lived by remain unchanged and sacrosanct.”

“Why am I in the APC?” he asked. “The answer is short and simple: Enlightened State Interest and the need to align our state with the Centre to attract more national benefits.”

Akwa Ibom, as the highest contributor to the nation’s economic wealth, especially in oil and gas, cannot afford to operate at cross-purposes with the Federal Government, which holds the levers of national resource allocation. “Strategic alignment,” he said, “is not submission, it is smart governance.”

To unlock opportunities in infrastructure,industrialization, and human capital development, Akwa Ibom must sit at the decision-making table, not stand outside the room.

Governor Eno praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, describing him as “a man of courage and vision” whose economic reforms, though bold, are beginning to yield long-term benefits. He recalled his admiration for Tinubu’s governance legacy in Lagos and offered unreserved support for the President’s second-term ambition in 2027.

In the same breath, he voiced strong support for Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s continued leadership of the National Assembly in 2027, asserting that Akwa Ibom stands to gain by having strong presence and voice in both the executive and legislative arms of the national government.

Governor Eno’s move, while tactical , is deeply strategic, rooted in a long-term vision to secure Akwa Ibom’s relevance in the evolving political landscape of Nigeria.

The symbolic presentation of the APC broom, performed by Senator Uzodinma amid thunderous applause, marked more than just a party switch. It was the culmination of a coordinated, calculated movement of vision and values.

One by one, political structures across the state pledged support. The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Udeme Otong; National Assembly members, led by Senator Ekong Sampson; members of the State Executive Council, led by Prince Enobong Uwah; local government chairmen, led by ALGON Chair Dr. Uwemedimo Udo; as well as youth and women groups, all declared solidarity:“We stand with our Governor. We move with him.”

Amidst the euphoria, Obong Stephen Ntukekpo, APC State Chairman, stood confidently, not as a lone opposition figure, but as host to a political homecoming. His message was clear: “The APC in Akwa Ibom has opened its arms wide. And the state has walked in, strong.”

In a goodwill message on behalf of the Senate President, his wife , Mrs. Ekaette Unoma Akpabio described the Governor’s action as “courageous, visionary, and unifying.”

Throughout his address, Governor Eno assured the people that the ARISE Agenda remains unshaken and on course.
“Political parties are just vehicles,” he said. “Good governance is the destination. Akwa Ibom will become a model of how to build beyond partisanship, how to work together, stay together, and grow together.”

Politics, he emphasized, should not be seen as war, but as a game of strategy, much like soccer .
Sometimes, teammates during the club season wear different jerseys during national duty. But the goal is always clear: to win, to raise the banner, to make your people proud.

Governor Eno has not only demonstrated a clear understanding of the political game and changing times ; he has shown smart political sagacity, inclusive, strategic, and forward-thinking leadership . And Akwa Ibom will be better for it.

The signs are unmistakable: the political winds have shifted in his favour. As 2027 approaches, Governor Eno stands tall—not just as Governor, but a performer who has aquintted himself creditably through his highly impressive performance in the last two years and as a new national political force, with expanding goodwill, broad alliances, and a governance track record rooted in vision and humility.

In june 6, the Governor closed with a whisper of quiet poetry:
Let us arise together, like rivers finding the ocean,
Not to fight the old, but to build the new.


With that, a new chapter in Akwa Ibom’s political journey began. A grand rally is expected in the coming days to formally welcome Governor Eno and his supporters into the progressive fold.
The winds have shifted. The sails are up. Akwa Ibom is charting a bold new political course embedded in unity, national relevance, and full visibility for its people.
—————————————-
Post Script:

With the politically charged events of the day behind him, Governor Umo Eno, on the same June 6, departed Uyo for Nice, France, to honour an international engagement. at the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3).”where he was scheduled to speak on the theme: Rising Sea Levels in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria: Impacts, Mitigation/Adaptation Efforts. The Governor did !

By Aniebiet Francis

It is unfortunate and frankly disappointing that Kenneth Okonkwo, a supposed learned fellow, chose to describe His Excellency, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno as a “political transgender.” This remark, cloaked in provocation and dramatics, is both reckless and deeply disrespectful, not just to the person of the Governor, but to the democratic values of civility, maturity, and principled governance.

Truth be told, Kenneth Okonkwo, who has moved from PDP to APC and now to Labour Party, should be the last person to question anyone’s political consistency or desire for a free sail to electoral victory. The term “political transgender” meant to mock and ridicule falls flat when uttered by someone whose own political wardrobe has changed as often as election seasons. It is ironic, laughable if not hypocritical.

Governor Umo Eno does not need to fight to prove his masculinity. From the moment he took the oath of office, he made it abundantly clear that his administration was going to be different. He came to rebuild broken bridges, to foster peace, and to consolidate the gains of those who came before him. That was not a weak man speaking. That was a visionary leader stepping into divine alignment with the season and assignment ordained for him.

Mr Okonkwo needs to understand that leadership, like life, is governed by seasons and Governor Umo Eno understands the season he is called to. His predecessor, Governor Udom Emmanuel, governed in the era of David, a time that required confrontation, fortitude, and political warfares. He fought tough battles to secure the integrity of the state, stabilize its economy, and lay a foundation for future growth. That was his divine mandate.

Now, Governor Umo Eno leads in the spirit of Solomon. He has inherited a season of peace from his predecessor, a moment for consolidation, construction, and covenantal leadership. Solomon was not called to fight wars; he was called to build the Temple, usher prosperity, and preserve peace. That did not make him weak, it made him wise. Likewise, Umo Eno's refusal to engage in needless political battles is not cowardice; it is spiritual intelligence and emotional discipline.

It takes strength to fight, but greater strength to restrain oneself from unnecessary conflict. Umo Eno's leadership is marked by calmness, stability, and quiet delivery of results. Under his watch, Akwa Ibom is treading a debt-free path. He is investing in grassroots development through his ARISE Agenda, empowering local businesses, improving healthcare and education, and promoting unity across party and ethnic lines.

These are the real attributes of modern leadership not shouting matches on television or grandstanding at political rallies.

If Mr. Okonkwo truly believes in democratic ideals, he should encourage peaceful governance, not condemn it. Nigeria needs less political gladiators and more thoughtful statesmen.

Governor Umo Eno did not come into office to make noise, He came to make a difference. He has chosen to focus on governance not grandstanding, progress, not provocation. He is not in a boxing ring, he is at a building site. The results are beginning to show.

We call on Nigerians, especially commentators and public figures, to elevate the tone of national discourse. Let us not belittle or disrespect those who choose the path of peace simply because they don’t entertain us with conflict. History has always favored the builders over the brawlers.

Akwa Ibom’s resources are for the development of our state not for avoidable pre- election and post elections legal battles. Let Kenneth Okonkwo play his drama elsewhere. Here in Akwa Ibom, we are writing a different script. A script that prioritizes peace, development and prosperity over unecessary show of masculinity.

BY: _Celestine Mel_

If there were still flickers of uncertainty about the shifting tectonics of Akwa Ibom’s political landscape, they were extinguished two days ago by no less a figure than His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno. At the Oruk Anam-Ukanafun Town Square outing, the Governor did not just speak, he launched a metaphorical aircraft. His analogy was more than rhetoric; it was a manifesto. It signaled, unequivocally, that the political compass of Akwa Ibom is recalibrating toward the All Progressives Congress (APC).

This is not just a party shift. It is a seismic departure from a 26-year-old covenant with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), a party whose umbrella has sheltered the State since the dawn of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic in 1999. For over two decades, Akwa Ibom was the PDP’s crown jewel; its fortress, its loyal flame. But politics, like war, is fluid. As the legendary strategist Sun Tzu wrote in The Art of War, “In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity.”

And this is where the storm gathers.

Why would a governor, at the apex of his popularity and commanding an impregnable grip on a ruling party, leap into the unpredictable arms of a party in disarray? Why leave calm waters for a storm-tossed sea? The answer lies in the calculus of power and the architecture of tomorrow.

With the 2027 elections drawing near, Abuja is gripped by ambition. The Federal trifecta - President Bola Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and others within the ruling inner circle, are eyeing legacy, continuity, and control. In Nigeria’s transactional democracy, where ideology is a luxury and pragmatism is the currency of progress, it is political suicide not to align with the power centers. As Machiavelli warned in The Prince, “It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both.” Pastor Umo Eno is not blind to this.

He sees clearly that proximity to the Senate President, Akwa Ibom’s most strategically placed son in the national architecture, is not a coincidence, but providence. His seat at the apex of the National Assembly is a golden lever. To ignore it is to court irrelevance. “To lead is to choose,” said Barack Obama, and the Governor has chosen, a choice steeped in foresight, not fear.

Equally compelling is the PDP’s descent into self-destruction. The seeds were sown in 2011 and watered with hubris in 2023. By fielding President Goodluck Jonathan in 2011 and Atiku Abubakar in 2023, the PDP violated the unwritten but sacrosanct pact of rotational power. What should have been political equilibrium became a travesty. It birthed resentment in the North and emboldened defection in the South. Jonathan’s 2011 run alienated the North; Atiku’s 2023 candidacy was a final insult to the South. “Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat,” Sun Tzu said—and the PDP has been making noise ever since.

In the evolving drama of 2027, the northern bloc, wielding demographic heft and regional discontent, is regrouping. They smell blood. Tinubu’s southern presidency, born of a fragile alliance, is under siege. They believe they made him, and they can unmake him. Against this backdrop, Akwa Ibom becomes more than a state; it becomes a chess piece. A powerful one.

Enter Umo Eno’s strategy.

Akwa Ibom is not just another state—it is a bride courted by all, a swing factor. With unprecedented popularity and moral authority, the Governor holds a deck most politicians can only dream of. “Power is not only what you have, but what the enemy thinks you have,” said Saul Alinsky. Abuja knows what he holds. That is why the plane is already taxiing.

But transitions breed tremors. The local APC is no sanctuary, it is a fractured house. Many of its leading lights are political refugees from the PDP who are still bearing battle scars. The arrival of Umo Eno and his battalion could ignite a fresh inferno within an already combustible structure. It is a delicate dance, one that requires the finesse of a statesman and the steel of a commander to manage.

Also, there will be resistance,especially from dyed-in-the-wool PDP loyalists like Hon. Onofiok Luke and Barr. Emmanuel Enoidem SAN. There will also be whispers of betrayal from the foot soldiers whose lives were built on vilifying the APC and its chief strategist, Senator Godswill Akpabio. For them, this is a return to vomit. But as Winston Churchill once said, “To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often.”

Then there is the enigma of Udom Emmanuel. His long-standing frost with Akpabio is public knowledge. But in politics, yesterday’s enemies are today’s allies. The recent multi-stakeholder visit to the Villa, initiated under President Tinubu’s watchful eye, thawed icy relationships. It might just be the beginning of a grand reconciliation. The future demands unity, not vendetta. I bet, there is.

As this political aircraft lifts off, there will be turbulence. But governance, at its core, is about the welfare of the people. If aligning with Abuja secures roads, jobs, appointments, and dignity for Akwa Ibomites, then it is not betrayal—it is duty. After all, “the essence of strategy is choosing what not to do,” said Michael Porter. Pastor Eno has chosen not to remain in PDP.In the end, politics is not about eternal loyalty to a logo. It is about eternal commitment to the people. And in that spirit, Akwa Ibom must soar as always.. Fasten
your seatbelts.

Yes, we can.

++++ _Celestine Mel_ is a chartered banker and projects lead. He writes from the FCT.

...as digital education takes root in rural communities

A Community Development Trust popularly known as EMOIMEE, has donated ICT devices to public schools in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. The initiative, designed to enhance digital literacy and prepare students for Computer-Based Testing (CBT), saw the distribution of laptops and power-generating sets to eight public secondary schools.

During the official handover ceremony, Rev. Obot Ekanem, Chairman of the EMOIMEE Management Committee for Mkpat Enin, expressed joy at Mkpat Enin’s central role in the movement. He emphasized that the donation was a gift, not a loan, and underscored the importance of digital education in shaping the future of young learners. He assured that where necessary, computer teachers would be deployed to ensure the devices are put to effective use.

Earlier in his reaction, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Sen. Helen Esuene advised the principal to use the computer optimally to impact positively on the students.

Esuene who was represented by Hin. Justus Ntuk noted that the Board was willing to deploy computer teachers to schools lacking same.

"Take ownership of these devices, preserve it and use it to the benefits of the Student. We believe that this will help for jamb CBT to boost success rate of mkpat Enin students in Jamb", she added.

In his remarks, the Clan Head of Ikpa Ibom expressed gratitude to EMOIMEE for extending developmental initiatives to oil-bearing communities. He appealed for further support to traditional rulers, noting that empowered traditional institutions are key to maintaining peace and progress in local communities.

On the sidelines, Franklyn Isong of the Centre for Human Rights praised EMOIMEE’s transparency and grassroots impact. He called for the inclusion of more schools and beneficiaries in the next phase of the program.

The event also featured the commissioning of fishing boats for riverine communities. Stakeholders urged beneficiaries to treat the boats as community property, stressing the importance of cooperative growth and sustainability in attracting further development projects.

On the agricultural front, Mr. Useneobong , project contractor of EMOIMEE’s agro-allied empowerment scheme, provided an update on the ongoing program. He noted that over 30 beneficiaries, trained in piggery, poultry, and fishery farming, now operate at commercial levels, supported with farm structures, boreholes, and generators to enhance productivity.

Youth leaders, school principals, and community stakeholders expressed deep appreciation to EMOIMEE, while appealing for more teachers in public schools and the inclusion of agriculture as a trade subject through further investment in school-based farming initiatives.

In closing, the Board of Trustees reaffirmed EMOIMEE’s commitment to digitally, economically, and socially transforming rural communities across the state.

THE JOURNEY OF RESILIENCE, HUMILITY, SERVICE AND CLASS

This story tells of a young boy, who grew in the police barracks in Lagos, under a strict disciplinarian father. A young boy whose father was a Police Officer and raised him to always be accountable for his actions and inactions.

Baptized in Qua Iboe Church as a 10 year old boy and at 13, when his parents had moved to The Apostolic Church, he was made the church interpreter, who interpreted from the local language to English Language.

He rose from an Interpreter to a Deacon, Elder, and later Pastor. This story has Saint Francis Secondary School. Ikot Ataku, Eket, as a major contributor, that laid the foundation of the Ibibio language for him. This alma mater, till date, has not been forgotten, as it has been converted to a model school today, through the directive of their distinguished Alumnus.

The above describes Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, who journeyed in service to God through the Apostolic Church, and had at some point been an Assembly Pastor, before he founded the All Nations Christian Ministry, where he continued in God’s vineyard till he became Governor.

Though there were several account of prophecies in Lagos and Akwa Ibom that Pastor Umo Bassey Eno will lead his people when it is time, on the 30th of January, 2022, Former Governor Udom Emmanuel became a pivot on whose foundation the fulfilment of the prophecy begun, where the Governor has found himself in Government House as Chief Executive.

Since assumption of office in 2023, Governor Umo Eno has left doubters in a state of awe, as he has shown character in his administration, matching his words with actions, and taking governance deliberately to the door steps of the people of the state.

Despite being a Governor, with humongous power at his disposal to wield, he has steered the ship of the state, with leadership of unity, and has demonstrated the highest of humility others do not have to exhibit. Leadership under the Governor has been unifying, just as Elder States Man, Atuekong Don Etiebiet said, “Since 1978 I started playing politics, I have never seen this level of unity in the state.”

For everyone who comes in contact with the Governor, one of the first things you will notice about him, is how he responds to you and accept you, whether you are small or big, or he is older than you or not. This humility is what stands him out from the rest.

Governor Umo Eno has for the first time in the state, evenly distributed projects in the state on local government basis. The worst of his critics are the ones singing the Lord’s song. But thankfully, not in a strange land, but in the same land where they stood to criticize and oppose him.

Governor Eno belongs to his own class. With a PhD to his name, he has distinguished himself as a scholar, an Icon, a Leader and a man of the people. Moving step by step, projects executed under his watch, are spread across the different spheres of the state, from Agriculture, to Rural Development, Infrastructural renaissance, Security and Education, the imprints of Governor Umo Eno’s administration is everywhere, but without doubt, the journey to a better Akwa Ibom is a work in progress with the ARISE AGENDA in focus.

Dr. Eneh John is a Journalist, Associate Member, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations and Member, African Council for Communication Education, writes from Ikot Uso Ekong, Eket, AKS.

Emmanuel Nicholas

A segment of the populace continues to harbour resentment stemming from the electoral defeat of their favoured candidate, clinging to this grievance and allowing it to fester.

Consequently, they have become enraptured by a toxic mindset that has rendered them adversarial towards the immediate past Governor of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency Deacon Udom Emmanuel.

This intense level of political animosity vividly contrasts with the commendable efforts of Governor Umo Eno, who is diligently working to promote an inclusive development agenda that seeks to unify all political factions and foster a genuine sense of belonging within the Akwa Ibom project.

I have encountered a plethora of disparaging remarks from supporters of those who suffered electoral defeat, who have unjustly accused Deacon Udom Emmanuel of being the architect of their failures.

Consequently, they have expressed overwhelming joy at the news of his arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), enthusiastically disseminating information across social media platforms regarding his detention by this anti-corruption agency.

This situation underscores a broader issue: the tendency for individuals to transform political failure into personal vendettas, thereby alienating potential allies and fostering animosity among various factions.

Rather than engaging in constructive discourse aimed at healing and collaboration, these supporters have chosen to revel in the misfortunes of their perceived adversaries, further entrenching divisions within the political landscape.

Such behaviour not only undermines the spirit of democracy but also detracts from the crucial work of building a cohesive and forward-looking State as Governor Umo Eno is working tirelessly to build.

This people created a small faction of individuals, masquerading under the guise of a fabricated organization, who purport to advocate for transparency and accountable leadership.

In reality, however, they are mercenaries engaged in a campaign of defamation against Deacon Udom Emmanuel, orchestrated by his political adversaries and those from the political class who have faced electoral defeat.

These persons are not only sponsored but are also fed a steady stream of misleading information by a man who ascended to power through sheer fortune.
.
It is essential for them to recognize that true strength lies not in divisiveness but in unity, and that the path forward requires collaboration rather than conflict.

Deacon Udom Emmanuel's tenure as the Governor of Akwa Ibom State was marked by significant achievements that far surpass the unfounded accusations levied against him by those entrenched in the political underbelly of our society.

Recently, he honourably responded to an invitation from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to address inquiries related to a petition made against him .

In a regrettable display of political machination, certain factions have sought to distort this engagement, misleading the public through mass media campaigns that falsely suggested his arrest, all in an effort to undermine his hard earned reputation.

Even after the anti-corruption agency questioned and allowing him to go home unimpeded, these detractors persist in their campaign of defamation.

They flood social media platforms with disparaging remarks, hurling baseless accusations and invoking a litany of unprintable names in an attempt to tarnish his character.

However, it is imperative to recognize that these attempts at ridicule and character assassination stand in stark contrast to the substantial progress Deacon Udom Emmanuel has brought to Akwa Ibom State.

His administration has been characterized by transformative policies aimed at enhancing infrastructure, boosting education, and fostering economic development.

The initiatives he has implemented have not only uplifted the living standards of the people but have also positioned Akwa Ibom as a bright star of progress in Nigeria.

In light of his accomplishments, it is clear that the unfounded allegations against him serve only as a distraction from the positive impact of his leadership.

Rather than allowing these baseless claims to overshadow his achievements, it is essential to celebrate the constructive changes he has ushered into the state and to recognize his unwavering commitment to the welfare of his people.

Under the astute leadership of Deacon Udom Emmanuel, a remarkable transformation has taken place in the State characterized by the construction of an impressive total of 2,750 kilometers of roads and 57 bridges.

His visionary approach has led to the comprehensive remodeling of Eket metropolis and Uyo, the state capital, where over 200 metropolitan roads have been developed, significantly enhancing accessibility and connectivity within the cities

Moreover, Deacon Udom Emmanuel has been instrumental in advancing a conducive environment for private sector growth, leading to the establishment of numerous privately-owned industries.

Notably, he founded Ibom Air, which has distinguished itself as the premier air transport company in Nigeria, thus elevating the state’s status in the aviation sector and providing a vital link for both business and tourism.

His commitment to infrastructural development is further exemplified by the construction of major landmarks such as the 22-storey Dakkada Tower in the Uyo Business District, designed to attract multinational corporations.

The establishment of the Dakkada Secretariat and the classy international terminal building at Victor Attah International Airport are testaments to his dedication to enhancing the State's administrative and transport capabilities.

Moreso, he oversaw the construction of the first ten-lane road in the state, a significant advancement aimed at easing traffic congestion and promoting economic growth.

Perhaps one of the most striking achievements during his tenure is the construction of a magnificent worship center, whose architectural design is nothing short of breathtaking.

This center not only serves as a spiritual haven but also stands as a symbol of hope and unity for the State .

The impact of Deacon Udom Emmanuel's leadership extends far beyond infrastructure; it has instilled a sense of pride and aspiration among the populace. His initiatives have not only improved the physical landscape of the State but have also fostered economic opportunities, enhanced quality of life, and positioned the state as a burgeoning hub of commerce and tourism in Nigeria.


Under the auspices of his administration, Deacon Udom implemented a transformative policy of providing free and compulsory basic education, ensuring that every child has access to fundamental learning opportunities.

Furthermore , he established a system of free healthcare for vulnerable populations, including children under five, pregnant women, and senior citizens aged 65 and older.

His commitment to public health was further demonstrated through the construction of 16 general hospitals, alongside significant enhancements to the secondary health sub-sector.

Notably, he provided the state with a state-of-the-art 300-bed Disease Control Center located in Ituk Mbang, a proof to his dedication to improving healthcare infrastructure.

However, in the wake of electoral losses, certain individuals, consumed by bitterness, have embarked on a campaign to tarnish the reputation of a man who has made substantial strides in reducing wastefulness in governance, while simultaneously promoting principles of accountability and transparency.

Opposing a man of such exemplary character, who transitioned into the political arena after a successful career in corporate governance, adeptly managing the assets of millions in the banking sector without a hint of impropriety, is a misguided endeavour.

The attempts to find grounds for disparagement, coupled with the dissemination of false accusations and malicious media campaigns, will ultimately prove futile.

Such tactics cannot diminish his integrity or reputation. In time, he will emerge vindicated, with all charges against him dismissed, reaffirming his status as a king of virtue in public service.