By Bassey George
Alongside industrialist Abdulsamad Rabiu, advertising doyen Udeme Ufot, presidential aide O’tega Ogra, and others, Akwa Ibom State governor, Umo Eno, has been recognised for honour on Saturday, May 3, 2025, in Lagos.
The Industry Newspaper, organiser of The Industry Summit/Award, which is in its sixth edition, has named Eno as the ‘Industry Governor of the Year’ for his policies and programmes designed to promote and improve startups and entrepreneurship in Akwa Ibom. This is indeed, an acknowledgement of excellence.
About a month into his administration, Pastor Eno launched the ARISE. In July 2023, about a month into office, ARISE Agenda, an acronym which captured his administration’s commitment to (Agricultural revolution, Rural development, Infrastructure maintenance, Security management, and Educational advancement), was launched. And following it religiously, the administration has achieved massive success in the deliverance of public goods and services.
By the last quarter of 2024, Governor Eno was on a raft of commissioning projects. Eight roads, 62 Compassionate Homes, a model primary health center and a water reticulation project before November. Such a chain of project initiation, inspection and delivery have characterised Eno’s time as governor. While commissioning the 1.1km Spring road and drain project in Ikot Ekpene last October, Eno had reiterated that all parts of the state would benefit from his administration. He was just restating his promise.
Nearly two years later, Akwa Ibom has continued to experience excellence in governance. Targeting Akwa Ibom youths across the 31 local government areas with monthly stipends, business grants and vocational training opportunities, Eno’s administration has addressed unemployment and promoted entrepreneurship. It established the Ibom Leadership and Entrepreneurial Development Centre (Ibom-LED), a programme, targeted at supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) which birthed initiatives like the Entrepreneurial Accelerator Programme (EAP). Under the EAP, over 2,000 young entrepreneurs have received training and grants of N500,000 each to establish and grow their businesses. Specialised hubs to ease tailoring and shoemaking were created, ensuring tailors and shoemakers have a space to produce locally.
By the end of his first year in office, the Eno administration had completed works on 80 roads, some which were inherited from the previous administration. And just last February, Eno commissioned the 23.25km Ikot Ekaide-Ikot Okoro-Ikot Ibritam road, an economic breakthrough, especially for the people of Oruk Anam. Though Eno admitted that his administration took over the project from his predecessor, Udom Emmanuel, at 50% completion, he vowed to complete more inherited projects. At that event, Eno also recalled how his administration completed the Use Ikot Amama road in Ibiono, a project that was initiated by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, when he was governor. Continuity. That is an essential part of good governance.
Eno’s administration also built and commissioned two model state-of-the-art primary schools. These schools are equipped with sports facilities and residential quarters for teachers. In addition, Eno’s administration has given free books, school uniforms, bags and shoes to children. It also paid bursary to Akwa Ibom students in tertiary institutions. These efforts have augmented the finances of their parents and guardians. But perhaps, the state’s intervention in extending towards special education needs with “the commencement of 100 Million Naira Education Trust Fund for persons with disabilities who are studying in tertiary institutions” is most commendable. And the icing on the cake is that it “is enjoyed by all Nigerians irrespective of their state of origin.”
In the area of agriculture, Eno is not about to reinvent the wheel. Rather, after leading a strong delegation to POrt Novo to understudy the Songhai farms, he replicated what they experienced in the state, as Ibom Model Farms.
In aviation, the Eno administration was also able to deliver a second taxiway at the Obong Victor Attah International Airport. This is in addition to the International terminal Building. These are happening as Ibom Air continues to grow with a current fleet of nine planes, endearing itself to fliers. And with the commencement of building a Maintenance, Repairs and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Uyo, the state would make history as the first with such a facility in West Africa. An MRO facility is where aeroplanes are refurbished, maintained and serviced.
While the civil service is being taken care of, retirees also are not forgotten. By the end of the first year in office, he had paid about N20 billion in gratuities and other entitlements, especially to the retired primary school teachers. And in October 2024, the Eno administration allocated 150 units out of the 236 units of two-bedroom apartments at Grace Estate to civil servants.
The state government is also investing in housing. From a planned 18-floor Ibom Towers in Lagos, to building Tropicana International Conference Centre, Akwa Ibom State is also set to deliver Ewet Luxury Gardens, located in Uyo, soon. The Ewet Luxury Garden sits on 3.5-hectares and features 32 residential plots, each bearing a 5-bedroom detached housing unit and boys’ quarters, outdoor recreational facilities for children and adults, walking paths, a 100-man capacity multipurpose hall, office facilities, parking spaces, security house and other facilities with a central power plant. However, low income earners are not forgotten as Eno said there is Grace Estate for them. It should also be recalled that the second phase of the ARISE Compassionate Homes, aimed at building one compassionate home in each ward in the state, has been flagged off. In the first phase, Eno’s administration specifically reserved 164 of these houses for widows and other less-privileged people.
And to ensure security, Governor Eno introduced the Ibom Community Watch across the 31 local government areas of the state whereby people of the community are recruited to deploy intelligence to regular security agencies. Healthcare has also got a filip from the Eno administration with the equipping of some primary healthcare centres.
Last year, on the occasion of Eno’s first anniversary in office, a volunteer group, ARISE Ambassadors, gave a vote of confidence in the administration.
“Governor Eno has delivered impressively on sustainable development,” said the statement which was signed by the group’s Director of Information, Mr Paul Ufot.
“He has a plan for all.”
This statement encapsulates how far leaders should strive to plan for all within the limits of available resources. In its N955 billion 2025 budget christened ‘Budget of Consolidation and Expansion’, Akwa Ibom allocated N655 billion for capital expenditure – a clear indication of the seriousness it attaches to long lasting growth and development.
This increase to capital expenditure is good news, considering that in less than two years, Eno has demonstrated that he has the stuff leadership is made up of. It is not to be right or seen as right all the time. It is to have a plan, a good plan for the benefit of all. On this score, he has delivered. And he has gained the support of many Akwa Ibomites who benefit from the success of his administration.
Governor Eno’s visionary leadership has rightfully earned him the title of ‘Industry Governor of the Year.’ Kudos.