By IDORENYIN UMOREN, Uyo

The life of the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, just like that of the Senate President, Chief Dr Godswill Obot Akpabio (CON), is absolutely a true definition of GRACE. A construct of immunity. Immunity against darts and vitriol.

Eno, who is from Ikot Ekpene Udo, in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, was born to Bassey, the Police officer and Eka, in Enugu on April 24, 1964.

His father, Bassey Umo Eno was a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) while his mother Deaconess Eka Bassey Umo Eno was into merchandising.

He attended Local Authority Primary School in Lagos State, where he got his first school leaving certificate. He later attended St. Francis Secondary School in Eket, Akwa Ibom State and Victory High School in Ikeja, Lagos State for his secondary education.

After his secondary school education, he was employed to work in Union Bank for some years before moving to Bertola Machine Tools Nigeria Limited and then to Norman Holdings Limited, where he became the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) before setting up Royalty Groups, which belongs to him.

Pastor Eno obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Uyo and later a Master’s degree in the same field. He recently defended his thesis for an award of a PhD in Political Administration from the same university.

Pastor Umo Eno is a visionary entrepreneur and a bivocational pastor. He has proven track records in achieving positive results through development of strategic business alliances, identifying new markets and developing business processes.

He has a world of experience in operations, finance, strategic management, business expansion, product development, public relations and political involvement. With deep passion for excellence, his cardinal objective is to build synergy with individuals, corporate organisations, private and government institutions – in human capacity building, maximizing productivity and wealth creation, as well as ensuring strong future growth for national development and enhancement of humanity.

A seasoned businessman, clergy, and management expert, he has working experience spanning the private sector and the public sector. Pastor Umo Eno is a worthy example of the grace of God on mankind. From a humble beginning in a value-based family and driven by firmness of purpose and desire for a better society, he has lived a life of service to humanity. Before becoming a household name in Akwa Ibom State, Umo Eno passed through the banking sector to the business terrain where he worked in a couple of companies and exuded diligence, tact, dexterity and commendable results in every assigned responsibility.

He is prominently identified with Royalty Hotels, a leading hospitality and allied services company which he founded in 1997.

Since then, this admired son of Akwa Ibom State has established himself as a key figure in the hospitality and tourism industry; and has become one of the most recognizable players in industrial catering in the oil and gas sector. He is a good social mixer with unparalleled value for human relationship. His ardent belief in hard work, integrity and excellence has shaped his perception, with subscription to the philosophy of “pray as if everything depends on God, and work as if everything depends on you.”

To broaden his horizon about management and business, he has attended quite a number of courses, conferences and seminars including the Conference of International Association of Hospitality Practitioners in Chicago, USA; Continuing Professional Education for Hospitality Practitioners by Nigerian Hotel and Catering Institute; Capacity Development Programme for Hospitality Practitioners by Nigerian Hotel and Catering Institute; Water and Mineral Bottling Business Course, in India; Executive Team Leadership Training at the Lagos Business School; Making Catering Contract Work Course, in London, United Kingdom; Materials Purchasing/Procurement and Stores Inventory Management in Eket, as well as Basic Water Survival Training, also in Eket, according to the Akwa Ibom State Government official website.

He has also attended courses in Development of Tourism in Small Islands and Sub-Saharan Africa, in Seychelles; Effective Negotiation Strategy, United Kingdom; Strategic Marketing Course, United Kingdom; Corporate Treasury Course in Lagos; Interpretation of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Decree (BOFID) Training, Lagos; Interpretational Conference on Capital Market Development (Seminar); Bank Credit Analysis Course, Union Bank Training School, Surulere, Lagos; Cashiers Course, Union Bank Training School, Surulere, Lagos.

In 2004, he was called into public service and appointed as Chairman, Hotels and Tourism Management Board by His Excellency, Arch. Obong Victor Attah, the then Governor of Akwa Ibom State. He held the position until the end of that administration in 2007. Key among his achievements is the first ever state-wide hotel inspection for categorization and classification. He also developed and printed the first Akwa Ibom Hotels Directory, which serves as a veritable source of information for the sector and guide to travellers and tourists visiting the state.

His second foray into public service was in September, 2019, when he was appointed as the Executive Director, Agricultural Investment in the Akwa Ibom State Investment Corporation (AKICORP) by His Excellency, Deacon Udom Emmanuel, the current Governor of the State.

Pastor Umo Eno brought his entrepreneurship mien to bear in the discharge of his duties as reflected in his achievements which include the revamping of Akwa Palm Limited, establishment of Ibom Fadama Microfinance Bank Ltd and the Construction of the Dakkada Warehouse/ Off-Taking & Training Centre in Nsit Ubium LGA.

His other notable achievement is the jump-starting of the Akwa Ibom State Youth Empowerment in Agribusiness Programme (AKSG YEAP PILOT 50); an empowerment programme conceived by His Excellency, the Governor to encourage youths to take up agribusiness as way of addressing youth unemployment.

He also facilitated the establishment of the OCP Africa Cassava End2End Smart Model and Construction of OCP Africa Farm and Fortune Hub/One Stop Shop/Training Hall at the following locations: Ikot Ekpene Ukim, Uruan LGA and Ikpe Ikot Nkon, Ini LGA, Akwa Ibom State.

Umo Eno is a grassroots mobiliser who is well known by his people. With his keen interest in community development and as a corporate citizen, he understands the essence of corporate social responsibility and has been involved in community development, including upgrading some secondary schools within his environs and providing platforms for the Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) among others. He has attracted visible development to his community including a cassava off-taking centre built by the Udom Emmanuel-led administration. He has awarded scholarships to many students across the different levels of formal education as well as several others in the area of skill and vocational studies.

Since 2004 he initiated and periodically embarked on a number of social welfare schemes, including medical interventions, building of houses for people within and outside his community and empowering youths through training and conferences, one of which is ‘The Ignite.’ Umo Eno has been involved in business training and providing small business startup packs to women in his community. Through the company he founded in 1997 he has employed between 1500 and 2500 Akwa Ibom indigenes and others, at various times.

Umo Eno is an ordained apostle in the body of Christ and is the Under- shepherd of the All Nations Christian Ministry International in Eket; a ministry called to build a community of Christian Believers that transcend race, tribe, colour, tradition and denominations into a kingdom focused church. He strives in his daily work to enthrone kingdom principles in doing business in the marketplace. He is a good social mixer who believes in hard work, integrity and strong character.

He is an author of several books including such inspiring titles as: Wealth Creation: God’s Way, Breakforth, Dream Again, True Friendship, and Exercising Your Dominion Mandate. He is the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Hospitality Connect which covers the hospitality and tourism potentials of Akwa Ibom State as well as The Appetizer magazines. He is also a regular contributor to Christian journals and is a well sought-after public speaker.

Pastor Eno is married to Pastor (Mrs) Patience Umo Eno, and blessed with six children and several grandchildren.

Through his endeavours and accomplishments, he has been recognized in several quarters and given awards in a number of categories by different organizations. Among them are:

National Merit Award for Change and Good Leadership by Independent Magazine Publishers Association of Nigeria; Award for service to the community by the Eket Local Government Council; Gold Service Award for Professionalism in Hotel Management; Highly Productive Company Award (Private Sector) by National productivity Centre, Abuja; Meritorious Award for Leadership Role and Service by Rotary Club of Eket Central; Honorary Member of the World Conference of Mayors, United State of America for tremendous service and interest in National and International issues; and Obong Unwana of Nsit Ubium conferred on him by HRM Edidem James Robert Obot, the paramount ruler of Nsit Ubium.

Other awards are: Excellence Awards for Public Administration by the Television Service of the Akwa Ibom State Broadcasting Corporation; Highest Employer of Labour/Human Development in Akwa Ibom State (Private Sector) from the Unemployed Graduate Forum (UNEGRAF); Award of Recognition for Contribution to the Development of Akwa Ibom State by Ekid People’s Union; Certificate of Excellence by ExxonMobil for outstanding performance and lasting contribution; and Service award for Outstanding Contribution in Tourism Development by Afigh Iwaad Ekid.

Pastor Umo Eno has stature, honour and effectiveness in good measure. His antecedence can attest to this. His achievements as an individual are legion and visible. His leadership acumen can be tied to easily discernible beacons.

His understanding of the human nature and his ability to work with human beings are there for all to see. This is as a result of the special love for him by the Almighty God. For him charity does not only begin, but thrives at home. Eno has a firm grasp of management and leadership issues from different perspectives and is well positioned to take on higher responsibilities. What he lacks in political capital, he makes up in leadership and management ideas. His passion remains striving for excellence, with the cardinal objective of building strong and beneficial synergy with individuals, corporate organisations, private and government institutions.

Providing avenues for the engagement of the abundant human resources of the state has always been his desire and he wants to do that on a higher and more expansive level. Building human capacity and enhancing the integrity of the human race have been passions he has lived with all his life – both in corporate and social environments. That is what is driving his desire to be your governor; and which is why he is humbly seeking your support. What our state requires today is a man of ideas, who has the capacity to translate what is on ground to what is beneficial for everyone. Umo Eno not only understands the terrain, he has the love of his state at heart. Having been part of the political and business communities in the state, he has a good idea of the state’s endowments and capacities.

In January, 2021, he was appointed into the Akwa Ibom State Executive Council and sworn in as Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources, by the then Governor of Akwa Ibom, His Excellency Udoma Emmanuel. Under his watch, the Ministry witnessed a transformation which culminated in remarkable achievements such as the provision of sites and services at the novel Dakkada Luxury Estate and the introduction of the Akwa Ibom State Geographic Information System (AKWAGIS).

Pastor Umo Eno also ensured that adherence to best practices in the Payment of Compensation and Preparation of Site Plans to allow for proper acquisition and allocation of land to would-be investors. Other initiatives include the Enumeration and Valuation Exercises for various big ticket investment projects, Inauguration of Committee on Land Verification and Recovery, Registration of Several Land Instruments to aid the realization of Revenue Targets, Allocation of Land for various development purposes Lands as well the prompt signing and release of Certificate of Occupancy (C- OF`-O) .

In the water sector, he initiated and completed Numerous live touching projects including a review of the Akwa Ibom State Water Sector Draft Bill.

After being anointed by Governor Emmanuel, Pastor Eno resigned from his position, as honourable commissioner, to run for the governorship race, under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Despite all landmines on Eno’s way to becoming the Governor of Akwa Ibom, the will of God and that of the Akwa Ibom people prevailed. He won the March 18, 2023 Governorship election in the State and was sworn in on May 29, 2023 as the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom and subsequently won all the court cases against him, before and thereafter.

Pastor Eno unveiled the ARISE Agenda, a visionary plan aimed at propelling the state’s socio-economic growth and transforming the lives of its citizens, during the Gubernatorial Election, has achieved success..

The ARISE Agenda, is a transformative blueprint that serves as Governor Umo Eno’s cornerstone and was officially launched few weeks into his administration.

However, Eno’s ‘A.R.I.S.E’ agenda stands for: Agricultural revolution; Rural development; Infrastructural maintenance/ advancement; Security management and Educational advancement.

His government has kept faith with its aspirations in rural development, education, housing, job creation, agriculture, roads construction, aviation, health, security, human capacity development and several infrastructural developments, to mention but a few.

The ‘Golden Boy’ of Akwa Ibom, as named by his dear wife, is utilizing the resources of the State to touch lives as reflected in his regular payment of gratuities and to expand infrastructural amenities in the State.

He has spent over N28 billion graciously upsetting the backlog of gratuities for retired civil servants, including retired teachers and local government workers, that were long forgotten. Just last week, Governor Eno approved additional N6.43 billion for payment of gratuities, other entitlements.

The Arise Park which is a miracle to behold as the location was previously a desolate and erosion-ravaged ravine; the plan to acquire two brand new CRJ-900 series Bombadier jets to expand the fleet and routes for IbomAir; these add to the planned 19- Storey Ibom Towers in Lagos and the 3- Star Ibom Hotel in Abuja among others, show Gov Eno’s commitment to the development of Akwa Ibom.

Also, the recent reception and dedication of the new Airbus A220-300, which drew a massive crowd who came to celebrate visionary leadership of Governor Eno, further indicates the committed to the progress and development of Ibom Air.

Through Governor Eno’s investment in the aviation industry, Ibom Air has raised the standard, and has transformed the fortunes of the State. His ability to translate vision into reality is a hallmark of effective leadership, and this dedication to excellence is already positioning Akwa Ibom as West Africa’s aviation hub.

Pastor Eno’s plan to establish Aviation Village near the Victor Attah International Airport, a project that will unlock a new era for economic growth and development, support seamless 24-hour airport operations, and solidify Ibom Air’s position as a trailblazing airline in Nigeria further, demonstrates his commitment to expanding the aviation ecosystem in Akwa Ibom State.

Ranging from giving interest free loans and grants to Akwa Ibom entrepreneurs in the three Senatorial districts, offering automatic employment to a first class nautical science graduate, from the Academy of Maritime Education and Training, AMET, Kanathur, Chennai, India, Mr. Mkpouto-abasi Ime Umossoh, sending Akwa Ibom students to the United Kingdom on exchange programme, building houses for widows and the elderly, spread across the State, to giving scholarship for Akwa Ibom daughter, Miss Pricillia Samuel Daniel, to Aviation College, Zaria for pilot training programme, the flood control tunnel on Atiku Abubakar Way which he started and commissioned last May, Governor Eno has done credibly well in his first year in office.

In addition, Governor Eno’s administration achieved a significant milestone with the signing of an MOU with the Enterprise Development Center (EDC) of the Pan Atlantic University, Lagos. This strategic partnership is set to broaden the scope and enhanced the quality of entrepreneurial training at the Ibom-LED Centre and also birth a promising future where Akwa Ibom’s entrepreneurs are not just participants, but leaders in the global economy.

The Governor’s vision is to transform Akwa Ibom from a civil service state to a commercial and industrial hub. This vision is brought to life through the Startup Acceleration and Incubation Programme (SAIP), which nurtures artisans in tailoring and shoemaking, and the Transforming Nigeria Youths programme, which is set to empower 10,000 women in partnership with the EDC and Mastercard Foundation. This represents a stride towards gender inclusivity and economic diversity, integrating women into the fabric of the state’s entrepreneurial structure.

Furthermore, the launch of Ibom-LED: EAP Batches, targeting female youths, is a laudable initiative that equips them with industry-relevant skills and provides a grant of N500,000 for business capital and N250,000 for shop rentals and setup upon completion, thereby fostering a new generation of skilled entrepreneurs in Akwa Ibom.

Governor Umo Eno’s actions transcends mere magnanimous donations; it’s a transformative movement. By equipping the beneficiaries with both the financial means and the necessary training, he has laid the foundation for a sustainable economy in the State.

Just a little over a week ago, he led a delegation of participants from Akwa Ibom at Africa Food Systems Forum (AGRF), a premier forum for African agriculture and food systems, in Kigali, Rwanda.

This clearly proves that Governor Eno is a champion of enterprenurial development.

His lovely wife, Her Excellency, Pastor Patience Umo Eno on her 57th birthday launched her pet project, Golden Initiative For All (GIFA), which targets at enhancing the lives of men, women, children, youths and vulnerable persons in the society. She has hosted the elderly a couple of times, showering then with gift items.

Eno’s developmental projects executed in his first year in office are too numerous and can not be listed here for lack of space.

Governor Eno, who is a visionary Christian leader and an entrepreneur par excellence, is the second biggest politician from Akwa Ibom today after the Senate President Godswill Akpabio (CON).

The Akwa Ibom ‘Golden Boy’ is not only a successful one, but also a success story that must be retold and preserved for posterity.

*With inputs from Ekemini James, Helen Jackson and agency reports.