Tuesday February 24, 2026
www.thenewsdesk.ng
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has warned that any village head under whose jurisdiction government property is vandalised risks losing official recognition.
The governor issued the warning during the monthly prayer service held at the Latter House Chapel, Government House, Uyo, on Saturday.
He stated that traditional leaders must take responsibility for safeguarding public infrastructure within their communities.
“Any village that we have government presence, and there is vandalism of government property in that village, we will withdraw the certificate of the village head,” he said.
Questioning the relevance of traditional leadership where public facilities are destroyed, the governor added: “If a public school, well furnished with modern facilities by the government, could be conveniently vandalised in your locality, what is the usefulness of the village head there?”
He directed the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Frank Archibong, and the state chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria, Uwemedimo Udo, to convene an urgent meeting with village heads to convey the directive.
Eno urged residents of the state to remain security-conscious and protect public assets and the commonwealth.
On plans to provide mini water projects in each ward, the governor said implementation would be handled by the inter-ministerial direct labour committee and instructed that his personal assistants across the wards be actively involved in the process.
Preaching on the theme, “Unsearchable God,” drawn from Romans 11:33, the Presiding Bishop of Beautiful Gate Family Church, Bolaji Ade-Israel, described God’s ways as mysterious yet beneficial to His children.
He encouraged Christians to continue trusting and obeying God in order to experience divine guidance and success.
The service was attended by the Deputy Governor, Akon Eyakenyi; Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, Helen Obareki; the Secretary to the State Government, Enobong Uwah; members of the State Executive Council; political leaders; business executives; clergy; and other government officials.
(Punch)