“I envision a vibrant, inclusive, and highly industrialized economy for this State, using highly developed human and material resources. In the past one month, we have engaged and played host to some investors across sectors who are desirous of investing in our State” – Governor Umo Eno during launch of Arise Agenda, July 22, 2023.

By Hillary OWOWO

The title of this article was inspired by the recent courtesy visit of two corporate investors to Governor Umo Eno, events which were both held at the Government House, Uyo. First was the visit by the Board and Management of Seplat Group, following its successful acquisition of Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited (“MPNU”). The second was that of Lekoil Ltd on January 21, 2025, also at the Government House. Lump their aggregate interests together, optimists and those with foresight would agree that they point to the sectoral and progressive transformation of Akwa Ibom State in line with the Arise Agenda of His Excellency’s compass for the transformation of Akwa Ibom State.

I recall with relish that at the official launch of the Arise Agenda and unveiling of its logo at the Ibom Icon Hotel and Golf Resort, on July 22, 2023, His Excellency, Governor Umo Eno, had pointed to what is happening today with the visit to the State by the aforementioned corporate bodies, besides others. The superscription to this piece was crafted from the governor’s speech at the launch of Arise Agenda, wherein he saw the Arise Agenda as a visionary blueprint targeted at propelling multifaceted socioeconomic growth and development of the State. Dr. Uduak Inam, Economic Adviser to the Governor, whom the governor described as the architect of the Arise apparatus, had said the Arise Agenda is a flagship document and compass that “will drive development efforts of the present administration”.

So the said visits by the two companies were heralds of the fulfilment of the Arise dreams.

SEPLAT Energy Plc, Nigeria’s leading indigenous oil and gas producer, was led on the visit by its Board Chairman , Senator Udo Udoma. He had represented Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District in the Senate from 1999 to 2007. On behalf of SEPLAT, Sen. Udoma expressed its continued commitment to partnering with the Akwa Ibom State Government for sustainable development.

The Seplat delegation used the occasion to formally brief the Governor on the recent completion of the acquisition of Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited by Seplat Energy Offshore Limited, explaining that the entity will henceforth be known and addressed as Seplat Energy Producing Nigeria Unlimited (SEPNU), retaining all assets and liabilities of the previous company.

As it mattered to Akwa Ibom State and the Arise Agenda specifically, the Chairman further outlined the company’s objective of significantly contributing to meeting Nigeria’s strategic oil and gas aspirations while leveraging the socio-economic development of Akwa Ibom State. According to Udoma, key areas to actualizing this shall include its commitment to sustainable operations and unbroken collaboration with the state government and communities to ensure long-term mutual benefits to all parties.

“We are honored to have the opportunity to engage with the Akwa Ibom State Government and present our vision for a collaborative future. Our commitment is not only to the growth of our operations but also to the well-being and prosperity of the communities where we operate. We are confident that through strong partnerships and shared goals, we can bring significant economic and social benefits to the country, state and our communities”, Udoma stated.

Governor Umo Eno welcomed the SEPNU team which also included the Group Chief Executive Officer, Roger Brown and the Managing Director of Seplat Energy Producing Nigeria Unlimited, Mr. Oladotun Isiaka. He assured the team of the state government’s unwavering support and continued commitment to creating an enabling environment for the company’s operations.
He emphasized that the government under his leadership is people-centric, pragmatic, inclusive and foreward-looking and was ever ready to support initiatives that will benefit the people of the State.

Other members of the SEPNU delegation were Director, External affairs; Mrs Chioma Afe, GM, Corporate services, Mrs Emo Udobong-Ntia, GM, Public and Government Affairs, Mr. Oge Udeagha, and Government Relations Lead QIT, Mr. Esumo Effiong. Whereas the host had in attendance the Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, Executive Assistant and Chief Delivery Advisor to the Governor, Mr. Aniefiok Johnson, and the immediate past Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Uko Udom, SAN and others.

It was indeed a week of consolidation of vision and preview of the developmental blueprints of the State government and its partners. Following SEPNU visit was that of Lekoil. It was led by the Chief Executive Officer of Lekoil, Lekan Akinyanmi. With him were the GM Operations, Matthias Akhideno; GM Legal, Gloria Iroegbunam; GM Government Relationship and Communications, Hamilton Esi; Head of C & P, Unwana Etuk, and Godwin Okeke, GM SHES & SCD.

It was no coincidence that Lekoil’s vision was in line with that of the Arise Agenda. Arise Agenda is all-embracing.

Akinyanmi noted that the visit was to formally introduce the company to the Governor, and to make him aware of its investment interest in the State. Lekoil, according to him, is an African focused oil and gas exploration and production company, a portfolio company of Cambridge Growth Partners which also has OakGold, Cambridge LNG, Cambridge Energy, Cambridge Harvest, CGP-1 Fund, and Blink Studios. He hinted that the company has a good development master plan that also captures its Corporate Social Responsibility, namely, the development of the host community along side its investment.

On his part, Governor Eno appreciated Lekoil for its choice of investment in Akwa Ibom State, assuring them of his government’s open arms to investors. He assured them that the State is prepared to support the Company in all conceivable ways, with the hope that its investment will help in the development of the State through generation of employment opportunities.

Most importantly, the governor said the State will be interested in one of the subsidiaries of Cambridge Growth partners, the Cambridge Harvest, whose interest is in sustainable and efficient agricultural practices. Agriculture is a critical part of the ARISE Agenda. The attention of both Companies was drawn to the State’s employment portal which contains details of unemployed youths, where they can source the needed manpower whenever the need arises.

With the Governor were the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, Executive Assistant and Chief Delivery Advisor to the Governor, Mr. Aniefiok Johnson, Permanent Secretary Government House, Mr. Godwin Udoh and the Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Ekerete Udoh.

SEPNU and Lekoil are two among many who either had indicated interest to invest in the State or had already found their haven in the State, considering the State’s natural and human endowments. These, put together, point to the harvest of opportunities for growth and development that awaits the State, a vindication of the Arise Agenda. Indeed, it’s a matter of time Akwa Ibom shall actualize its potential with the ARISE Agenda!

*Owowo writes from Uboro-Isong-Inyang, in Udunguko LGA of Akwa Ibom State.