By Ekemini JAMES

|FEATURES| Governor Umo Eno’s outstanding performance in office for the past nineteen months can be attributed to his values as a Rotarian. The Rotary Club’s guiding principles, particularly the Four-Way Test, have played a significant role in shaping his leadership style and decisions so far.

The Four-Way Test asks four essential questions: Is it the truth?, Is it fair to all concerned?, Will it build goodwill and better friendships?, Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

These principles have been evident in Governor Eno’s people-centric approach and commitment to transparency and integrity, as seen in his administration’s achievements. His commitment to promoting peace, development, and inclusivity in Akwa Ibom State aligns with the Rotary Club’s emphasis on service above self and promoting integrity in leadership.

The Governor’s economic blueprint, The ARISE Agenda, which focuses on Agricultural Revolution, Rural Development, Infrastructural Maintenance & Expansion, Security Management, and Educational Advancement, demonstrate his commitment to beneficial decision-making.

His administration’s efforts to free medical outreaches, payment of gratuities and pensions to retired civil servants, and a sustained welfare packages for the elderly and senior citizens also reflect the Four-Way Test emphasis on building goodwill, fairness, and truth.

So far, 162 Arise compassionate homes have been built, 10,000 public service workers as well as the aged have enrolled into Arise Care State Insurance Scheme, 600 elders draw fifty thousand naira monthly for their upkeep through Arise Elders’ Care Initiative, thousands of youths have been trained in marketable and entrepreneurial skills.

Also, the Governor met N97 billion backlog of unpaid gratuities, and so far, he has paid N47 billion to ensure the elderly live a good life.

As a Rotarian, Governor Eno’s leadership style is characterized by empathy, compassion, and a strong sense of responsibility to serve humanity. His actions and decisions since he came into office are guided by the principles of integrity, fairness and truth.

As a leader who embodies the values of the Rotary Club, the Governor has refused to run governance based on the ‘winner -takes – it all’ approach but rather running an inclusive style which today serves as a model for other Governors in the Country.

Under his watch, Akwa Ibom is seen as an oasis of peace, where leaders across party lines are respected and there is a consensus on most issues that seek to promote the interest of the State.

Just as the Governor stated while delivering a keynote speech at the Rotary International District 9142 Mid Year Assembly, 2025, “Today, Akwa ibom is seen as an oasis of peace, where leaders across party lines are respected and there is unanimity of thought and consensus on most issues that seek to promote the Akwa ibom interest.”

“Even though we are a PDP State, but we don’t operate governance based on the ‘winner -takes – it all’ approach. In every major interventions we have made, political label is the last thing we consider, it has always been a pan-Akwa ibom mindset-from the distribution of palliatives, to the construction of Arise Humanitarian Homes, to grants given for Small and Medium Scale Entrepreneurs (SMEs) to projects executed in local government areas.”

“Above all we have run a government predicated on transparency, integrity and these all align with the Rotary’s Four Test : Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendship? Or will it be beneficial to all concerned?”

“We came to serve our people, with passion, fairness, and with the pledge to leave the state better than we met her. This we are dedicated to achieving under peaceful, inclusive and ethical atmosphere.”

“With the support of our people and your support as well, we will extend the boundaries of our growth and development and prove that government and governance can truly and indeed be agents for good and not for ill.”
|TheNewsDESK|