The argument would have been that one year is not enough in appraising his performance as the Governor of Akwa Ibom State. That excuse is not for him. Rather, it is a problem of how to compress all of the accomplishments he has recorded in just one year in office. Judging from the time he took off, and how he is crooning triumphantly in the firmament of good governance for Akwa Ibom State, putting the State on the radar of prosperity and greatness, Governor Umo Eno is already flying on a high altitude.
Those who are today looking for Akwa Ibom State on the runway are coming late.
Akwa Ibom had taken off and is high up there in the sky cruising. Still looking for Akwa Ibom? Look up! Akwa Ibom is in the sky. In the cockpit commanding Flight 001 Akwa Ibom is Governor Umo Eno. Flight time is 8 years, and this is just the year one equivalent of the flight duration. When they say, the sky is the starting point for those who fly in excellence, Akwa Ibom must have been on their mind.
The Captain is purposeful and has shown great vision, strength with humility in power, and deep compassion for the people across different sectors. He has a female First Officer, supporting him as Deputy. Truly, this is not not a flight to miss. This is rather the best time to come from Akwa Ibom, the wonder in the sky of good governance and model leadership.
This Captain of good governance has filled tanks for the people of Akwa Ibom State, sector by sector. They are tanks filled with development and prosperity.
Powered with the a turbo -charged engine of the A.R.I.S.E Agenda, there is something to celebrate in each sector and each corner and hamlet in the State.
In education, Governor Umo Eno has demonstrated his philosophy that the development of a society is predicated on its investment in education, as no society develops beyond its investment in education.
Thus, he began with laying the foundation for a formidable education at the basement. That guiding principle gave birth to the idea of Model Primary Schools which come with modern classrooms, well stocked libraries, ICT and science laboratories,sports facilities and residential quarters for teachers. The package also includes free books, school uniforms, school bags and school shoes to the pupils. He has 20 of such in his kitty so far.
His love for education defies disabilities. The governor had earlier instituted a 100 Million Education Trust Fund for persons living with disabilities who are studying in tertiary institutions, irrespective of their States of origin.
Governor – Captain Eno is a consultant in diagnosing and prescribing proper medications in seemingly incurable leadership ailments. The healthcare sector is a first line beneficiary of this mastery of a leader who handles leadership like a skilled surgeon handles the scalpel. He is clinically connecting the dots in healthcare sector, building and commissioning Model Primary Healthcare centres across communities in , where he has so far done 15 of such.
Road infrastructure has received intentional attention by the Governor in the one he has been in charge so far. Nearly 100 road projects of about 599.34 Kilometers traverse the landscape of Akwa Ibom State, dotting communities in line with the governor’s aggressive rural development. From new roads,dualisation, inherited ongoing roads to rural access roads , Governor Eno is on top of the game. So far, some of the projects have been commissioned while work continues in others.
Policies in agriculture are planted on the soil with rich rich soil nutrients, making them to begin bear fruits pre-season and out of season. Governor Umo Eno is replicating the success story of Songhai Farms in Ibom Model which is a modern day Garden of Eden.
A man of ideas, Governor Eno created a novel ministry of Internal Security and Waterways Management, and complementing that with support for the security agencies and creation of Ibom Community Watch, an outfit that has served as credible intelligence to the statutory security agencies.He has bought and delivered Gun boats for waterways security, donated patrol vehicles to the forces and provides requisite logistics to help keep and sustain peace and security in the State.
Then the economy-lifting story of the aviation sector where the Phase I of the Victor Attah International Airport Parallel Taxiway and Rapid Exit have been completed. This is flowing side by side with continued support and encouragement to Ibom Air, the State flag in the Sky that has demonstrated capacity and success in the nation”s aviation sector.
Governor Umo Eno has made huge impact in what he calls “soft infrastructure “ The payment of backlogs of gratuities and other entitlements to retirees in the State, especially the primary school teachers which used to be a source of misinformation on previous administrations. So far, government has injected nearly 20 billion Naira for that purpose and the people are happy for it and with him
Within one year, Governor Umo Eno has impacted greatly on the economy. He has given 400 Million Naira to 800 entrepreneurs in Akwa Ibom State at 500 Thousand Naira each, after they were adequately trained on financial management and growing of nascent businesses through the Ibom Leadership and Entrepreneurship Development Programme Ibom-LED which is a hatchery for young entrepreneurs.
Governor Eno has proven too that he is a golden gift to Akwa Ibom State. He has shown compassion in leadership, especially in the distribution of free food to the vulnerable members of the society through the Bulk Purchase Agency, as well as the Compassionate Homes which are equally for the disadvantaged members of the society.
A responsive and responsible leader, alive to the needs and aspirations of the people, the governor has equally prioritized shelter as one of the basic needs of the people. That is seen in the various housing projects sprouting across Akwa Ibom State, targeted for low income earners.
The governor stands out in inclusivity in governance through a bipartisanship relationship which has made him have a fantastic relationship with relevant stakeholders across party divides. To him, all partners in the Akwa Ibom project are important, and that governance should be blind to political party sentiments, as they are mere platforms to assume political positions.
His administration has equally been an exemplar in the peaceful co-existence among arms of government, especially the executive and legislative arms of government, although respecting the separation of powers, interdependently exist for the common good of Akwa Ibom people.
Governor Umo Eno is a champion for grassroots development. Apart from siting projects in the rural areas, Governor Eno has included aides from all the 368 political wards of the State in his administration, just as he has given non-indigenes the opportunity to serve, an initiative with the potential of uniting the nation and eliminating ethnic tension and distrust.
As seemingly busy as Governor Eno has been in the last one year, working for the good of Akwa Ibom, he has not lost tap on his relationship with God. He was always a regular at church worships across church denominations, and sometimes, back to the familiar terrain of the pulpit, with the sermon of Christ and that the good governance his administration represents.
For one year, Governor Umo Eno has maintained a wardrobe of quality outfits, always dressed for the occasion with a crest of nicety and responsible fashion sense.
Tall in height and ambition, fair in complexion and in his dealings with people, Governor Umo Eno has displayed a rare attitude towards forgiveness, extending olive branch to erstwhile political opponents, showing sincerity in his willingness to work with all.
The past one year has also shown that Governor Umo Eno speaks different Nigerian languages, a flawless Yoruba, standard pidgin English and his native Ibibio which he often garnish with Ibibio adages especially when it fits the occasion.
Governor Umo Eno has demystified governance, he is down to earth and is the type of Governor who has not allowed the spoil of the office to spoil him. He has not changed from the easy going and accessible pastor that he was known for. Might be, he has only increased his spirit of hardwork, spending more time in office than it was before he became the Chief Tenant of Hilltop Mansion. When you pity him, he will reply you that Akwa Ibom State hired him to work, and that he must work.
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Governor Eno is still that good family man who is always there for his wife and children, except that he gives even greater time and to his grand-children who do not want to miss a scintilla of the love of a grand father. If Akwa Ibom needs their Governor, the grand children needs the cuddle of their grand-father. The headache of a good Governor and a caring grand-father is in the fair and equitable appropriation of time.
Such has been the colours and rhythm of the incredible one year in office of Governor Umo Eno. Put succinctly, Governor Umo Eno has justified the confidence reposed in him by Akwa Ibom people, and has shown convincing signs that the years ahead hold even brighter opportunities and higher altitude for Akwa Ibom State.
Happy anniversary, Governor of the people! Congratulations, Akwa Ibom State.
