By Newspot Nigeria News Desk
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has celebrated the outstanding achievements of Akwa Ibom indigenes making waves on the global stage, describing them as role models for young people back home.
Governor Eno spoke on Wednesday at the Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo, on his return from the United Kingdom, where he met with British-based heavyweight boxing sensation, Moses Itauma, and the Mayor of Islington, Jason Utitofon.
The Governor said his visit was to personally convey the good wishes of Akwa Ibom people to the two illustrious sons of the state, noting that their success stories should inspire the youth to embrace hard work, dedication, and sacrifice rather than entitlement.
“Wherever we find an Akwa Ibomite who has excelled in his or her chosen field, we will celebrate and support them,” Eno stressed.
He recalled that this is the second time the state has produced a mayor abroad, the first being Mayor Ukeme Awakessien-Jeter of Upper Arlington, Ohio, USA. He emphasized that these global achievements came without godfatherism, showing that merit and excellence can open doors internationally.
MoU with REA and Power Summit
Governor Eno also linked his UK trip with renewed efforts to strengthen Akwa Ibom’s energy future. He disclosed that his administration recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) in Abuja.
The agreement, he explained, will ensure a 24-hour power supply for Akwa Ibom people, with a special focus on communities not connected to the national grid. He further revealed that the State’s Electricity Power Summit is scheduled for September 18 and 19, in collaboration with the REA, to fast-track electrification projects across the state.
According to him:
“It buttresses the fact that we must give Akwa Ibomites a 24/7 reliable power supply… This MoU is a prelude to our Power Summit.”
Governor Eno reiterated that his administration is committed to delivering electricity as a key driver of development, in line with the state’s ARISE Agenda.
Newspot Nigeria reports that the Governor’s dual emphasis on celebrating diaspora excellence and advancing power reforms underscores his holistic approach to state development.
Full Statement:
Media Unit, Government House, Uyo — 11/9/25
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has expressed delight over the exploits of Akwa Ibom indigenes in their different fields of endeavour across the world.
Governor Eno registered his delight while interacting with Government House correspondents at the Victor Attah International Airport upon his return from the United Kingdom, where he met with British-based boxer of Akwa Ibom heritage, Moses Itauma, and Mayor of Islington, Jason Utitofon.
Governor Eno stated that in the course of his trip, he met with the two illustrious sons of the State and expressed the good wishes of Akwa Ibom people on their spectacular exploits.
He described them as role models whose successes are worthy of emulation by other Akwa Ibom youths.
The Governor encouraged Akwa Ibom youths to imbibe the true Akwa Ibom spirit and to desist from harboring a sense of entitlement, but to uphold the virtues of hard work, dedication, sacrifice, and commitment in their pursuit of excellence.
“We have said it and it has become our practice that wherever we find an Akwa Ibomite who has excelled in his or her chosen field, we would celebrate and support them.
“Part of my visit to the UK was to meet with Moses Itauma, the boxing champion, and to also meet with the Mayor of Islington, Utitofon Jackson, who is also our son from Ika Local Government Area.
“These two have done well, they have excelled. This is the second time we are having a Mayor of Akwa Ibom extraction, the first being Mayor Ukeme Awakessien-Jeter of Upper Arlington, Ohio, in the USA, and this one is in the UK.
“You know there is no godfather in these things, you have to be the best. So we needed to take the good wishes of Akwa Ibomites to them and encourage them,” he said.
In a related development, the Governor also explained that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) he earlier signed with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) regarding the State’s rural electrification project would guarantee 24-hour power supply in the State.
Governor Eno signed the MoU during the Rural Electrification Roundtable organized by REA, which he attended in FCT, Abuja, shortly after his arrival from the UK.
He added that the State Electricity Power Summit, scheduled for September 18 and 19, to be held in collaboration with the REA, would bring power to the unserved and underserved communities that are not linked to the national grid.
“It buttresses the fact that we must give Akwa Ibomites a 24/7 reliable power supply. As you are aware, we have our Electricity Power Summit on the 18th and 19th of this month; this is a prelude.
“We are working with the Rural Electrification Agency that has funding to bring power to the underserved and unserved communities in Akwa Ibom State that cannot be linked to the national grid,” he explained.
