By Solomon Essiet
🔷You and Your Governor
Indeed, it was a very busy week for Governor Eno. So many important activities at a go. I find it very difficult to pick the headline for this very report, due to multiple engagements undertaken by Governor Eno in the week under review. The Governor’s activities are highlighted below:
✅Gov. Eno attended the Child-dedication service of Mkpisong Frank Archibong’s son, Sunday, (December 14)
✅Gov. Eno joined Pastor Prince George and wife at their children’s dedication service, Sunday, (December 14)
✅Gov. Eno celebrated Senator Ibok Essien, on his birthday, Monday (December 15)
✅Gov. Eno Commissioned 1.4km internal road at Police Hqtrs, Ikot Akpan Abia, Monday, (December 15)
✅Gov. Eno visited the Department of State services at their end of the year celebration, Monday, (December 15)
✅Gov. Eno led the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo SAN, on Airport and Arise Palm Resort inspection, Tuesday, (December 16)
✅Gov. Eno joined the two-day capacity workshop for Councilors, Tuesday, (December 16)
✅Gov. Eno attended the APC Progressive Governor’s Forum, Wednesday, (December 17)
✅Gov. Eno delivered Convocation lecture at the 7th Convocation ceremony of Mountain Top University, Thursday, (December 18)
✅Gov. Eno celebrated Most Rev. Dr. Joseph Ekuwem, on his birthday, Friday, (December 19)
✅Gov. Eno accompanied President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, to a joint session of the National Assembly and 2026 Budget presentation, Friday (December 19)
✅Gov. Eno attended the Akwa Ibom Christmas Carol Festival, Friday (December 19).
♦️MATTERS ARISING
ON AIRPORT FACILITY INSPECTION
✔️Akwa Ibom people are still celebrating the approval of International flights for Victor Attah International Airport, and earnestly awaits the first International flight that will take off from the Airport on 1st April, 2026. Even though the Airport is known as “Victor Attah International Airport”, the Airport has been operating local flights from inception. But there is something about dreaming big. The vision of the former leaders, envisaging the Airport as an International Airport has come to pass. If you are familiar with the Airport, you will agree with me that the State Government did not just stumbled into the approval of International flights status for the Airport. But worked deliberately, putting the necessary facilities in place, including the Maintainance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities, to further position the Airport to earn the “International Airport” status, as recently approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, and announced by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN.
Governor Eno, a man blessed with the finisher’s anointing is the one bringing the 25 years old dream to full realisation. What a joy! Akwa Ibom people are very proud of Governor Eno, a very hard working Governor, who has the interest of his people at heart. Governor Eno is working towards repositioning the State as a tourists destination, and as our Airport is getting set to start International flights, tourism will take the center stage and the vision realized in record time. Let me also add that the team of inspectors, drawn from all departments and parastatals overseeing Aviation business in Nigeria, were at peace with the State Government’s level of preparedness to kick off the first International flights from the Victor Attah International Airport. This was confirmed by the Minister of Aviation himself as mentioned earlier.
♦️ON CONVOCATION LECTURE, MOUNTAIN TOP UNIVERSITY
✔️ Within the week Governor Eno delivered a Convocation lecture at the 7th Convocation ceremony of Mountain Top University, Lagos. He charged the graduating students to dream big, but be prepared to start small. According to the Governor, there is no shame in small beginning. As he started his hotel business with just five rooms, but with the right financial discipline, grew to become a conglomerate in the hospitality industry. The Governor also taught the students some lesson in humility and willingness to support their parents. He stated that the dead of his beloved father, a policeman who died in active service, made him to hawk some wares in Lagos streets, just to boost the family’s daily income.
Governor Eno enjoyed mentoring the younger generation. This is evidents as he assembled the young minds yearly in what he termed Ibom Ignite, starting from 2017, even before he dreamt of becoming the Governor of Akwa Ibom State. Just a week ago, a young man by name Emem Victor, a graduate of Akwa Ibom State University, testified of how the lecture given to them at the School Hall in 2019 by Pastor Umo Eno, shaped his life. In appreciation, the young man made a cloth for the Governor all by himself of which the Governor reciprocated with a gift of 10 Million Naira. Governor Eno has mentored so many young people to realized their dreams and aspirations. It is not in doubt that many graduating Students of Mountain Top University will live to remember the Convocation lecture given to them by Pastor Governor Umo Eno.
♦️ON HOME GOING CHRISTMAS
✔️ During the Christmas Carol Night on Friday, December 19, 2025, a yearly ritual organized by Akwa Ibom State Government, Governor Eno announced the Home going for all Appointees and aides on Saturday, December 20, 2025, adding that during the Christmas gathering in each of the 31 Local Government Secretariats, 40 bags of rice and cash shall be released to each of the villages to support their Christmas celebration.
As a Governor known for fulfilment of his promises, that is exactly what happened on the said date. Indeed, it was a joyous moment at the city center in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area, where I come from, as beneficiaries trooped in to from the 47 villages to pick their bags of rice. They were full of appreciation to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno. May God continue to bless the performing Governor of Akwa Ibom State.
This is after paying the 13th Month salaries, otherwise known as “‘ENOMBER'”, to all Civil Servants in Akwa Ibom State. For Governor Eno, just like Jesus Christ, anywhere he went, he is doing good.
♦️ This is where I draw the curtain, till I come your way again by next week, bringing more exciting news of the Governor’s activities your way, directly from the Governor’s office. Stay with me. This is “You and Your Governor”.
Pastor Solomon Essiet, ACIA
Special Assistant on New Media to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State.
