By Ukara Effiong

I choose to describe the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno as “an icon of humility, unity and visionary leadership”

I am not making the assertion on the basis of sycophancy. I believe in good governance. When a leader performs well, I give kudos to the person to spur him or her up regardless of party affiliation.

Immediately after his swearing-in on May 29 as the fifth democratically elected Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno dropped political sentiments and entrenched governance by convening a Think Tank conference tagged ‘Akwa Ibom Dialogue’ where professional bodies and stakeholders drawn from all walks of life converged across party lines to brainstorm and dissect his economic blueprint -The A.R.S.E Agenda. The essence of the meeting was to ensure robust administration. The Akwa Ibom Dialogue received accolades from within and outside the state.

Barely seven months in the saddle, Pastor Umo Eno has justified the mandate given to him by Akwa Ibom people.

Some of the achievements recorded so far by his administration include:
-The construction of 1.82 kilometers of internal and adjourning roads; provision of water and solar lighting facilities at the Akpan Andem market within first 100 days in office.
-Distribution of palliatives across the 31 Local Government Areas to mitigate the effects of fuel subsidy removal.
-Remodelling of the Christ the King Primary School, (CKS)
-Establishment of Ibom Leadership and Entrepreneurial Development Centre( ILED)
-Payment of backlog of gratuities to Primary School Teachers/State workers
-Signing of (MoU) with Songhai Farms for the training of Akwa Ibomites in the agro-allied sector.
-Flag off of Road construction in rural areas in the three senatorial districts of the State.
-Construction of Model Health Centre in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area.
-Disbursement of one hundred million naira (N100,000,000) Education Trust Fund of tertiary institution students living with disabilities.
-Training of 500 Ibom Community Watch constables.
-Rebranding/re-organisation of activities at Akwa Ibom Christmas village and lots more

With the landmark achievements Pastor Umo Eno has made in the last few months, it is obvious that he is committed to changing the narrative through good governance and visionary leadership.

Pastor Umo Eno has also shown he is a peace- loving, humane and humble leader in diverse ways. His humility and peaceful disposition makes him endearing. To him, appellation is nothing, service is paramount.

In his effort to ensuring a united Akwa Ibom, Pastor Eno has maintained a cordial relationship with the former Governors of the state, especially the Distinguished Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Godswill Akpabio, as well as members of other political parties. Severally, he has reiterated his determination to partner with the Senate President and other Federal Government appointees to attract development to the State. His belief in political inclusion portrays the fact that he is not just a leader, but a visionary leader.

Governor Umo Eno has demystified governance just as he promised by being accessible and friendly to both indigenes and non-indigenes regardless of social status, political or religious affiliation.