Thursday July 10, 2025
By TheNewsDESK |
…Honoured as Africa’s Governor of the Year in Infrastructure at the London Summit
The Akwa Ibom Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has positioned the state as Africa’s next frontier for sustainable investment, tourism, and innovation .
Governor Eno made this known during his keynote address at the 2025 African Leadership Magazine London Summit held at the Landmark Centre, Marylebone, London, Wednesday, July 9, even as he was was honoured as African Governor of the Year on Infrastructure Development in recognition of his administration’s groundbreaking strides in infrastructure development especially across rural areas and inclusive governance 
Represented by his Senior Special Assistant on European Affairs, Mr. Friday Akpan , Governor Eno in his Keynote address on the theme, “Driving Investments and Enhancing Competitiveness: Unlocking Akwa Ibom’s Path to Sustainable Growth and Regional Leadership.”
He outlined the States transformation into a connected, competitive, and future-ready subnational economy built on Agriculture, Rural Transformation, Infrastructure, Security. Education and inclusive governance. 
Addressing an audience of international investors, policymakers, and development leaders, the Governor noted said “We are not merely talking about development, we are delivering it through our ARISE Agenda,” he declared, explaining that the agenda drives a comprehensive blueprint designed to build a self sustaining sub national for the betterment of the lives of the people and development of a tourism destination of note in Africa.
Pastor Eno described Akwa Ibom as a coastal, oil-rich state in Nigeria’s Niger Delta with a youthful, industrious, and welcoming population of 7.9 million people. With Nigeria’s most peaceful environment, a functional state-owned airline, Ibom Air. an expansive road network, and a growing reputation as a leisure and events destination that is rapidly emerging as a magnet for both business and tourism.
Since assuming office in May 2023, Governor Eno noted that his administration has worked intentionally to shift the State to diversified model powered by agriculture, tourism, ICT and the Blue Economy. “We are building a bold, inclusive, green and blue economy where innovation can flourishes, investments grow, and people thrive,” he said.
He cited several transformative projects currently reshaping the state’s economy. Among them is the Ibom Deep Seaport initiative, a strategic maritime development project capable of creating more than 300,000 jobs when it comes on stream as well as the ongoing Oron Marine Transportation and infrastructure development . There are also the Ibom Model Farms and Agripreneurship initiatives, designed to unlock value chains in agriculture and food production, as well as the ARISE Resort, a world-class leisure and tourism destination built on over 70 hectares of formerly erosion-ravages land, now featuring a 9-hole golf course, artificial lakes, conference centre, sporting arcade, Children playground, luxury apartments, and full hospitality facilities.
In the areas of health and education, the Governor said the state is constructing model primary healthcare centres and modern schools across all local government areas. In addition, flagship secondary schools are underway in each senatorial district, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Governor Eno reiterated that Akwa Ibom is open for business across critical sectors including tourism, ICT, the blue economy, renewable energy, agro-processing, manufacturing, education, and healthcare. To facilitate ease of doing business, he explained that the state has established a One-Stop Investment Centre through the Akwa Ibom State Investment Corporation (AKICORP), offering streamlined regulatory processes, tax incentives, and investor protection within a secure and business-friendly environment.
The State Chief Executive emphasized that security remains the foundation of the state’s progress. Through community intelligence networks, strong collaboration with security agencies, and youth empowerment programmes, Akwa Ibom has consistently ranked among Nigeria’s safest states, an increasingly attractive factor for both domestic and foreign investors.
He also underscored his administration’s alignment with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and restated the state’s openness to partnerships with development agencies and the private sector. “We practice a governance model that blends compassion with competence, growth with equity, and resources with responsibility,” he noted.
In his closing remarks, Governor Eno extended a warm invitation to global investors and partners, saying, “Come to Akwa Ibom. Invest, thrive, live and Arise with us in shared prosperity.” His remarks were met with resounding applause.
As a highlight of the summit, Governor Umo Enowas honoured as African Governor of the Year on Infrastructure Development in recognition of his administration’s groundbreaking strides in infrastructure development especially across rural areas and inclusive governance.
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