Hon Aniekan Umanah.
Text of A Press Briefing By The Hon. Commissioner For Information, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Umanah, On Activities Lined-Up To Mark The Second Anniversary Of Governor Umo Eno’s Administration.
Two years ago, the people of our dear State entrusted the sacred mandate of governing this great State to His Excellency, Governor Umo Eno, Ph.D. Today, we stand on the firm shoulders of remarkable progress and spectacular performance.
The Governor Umo Eno-led administration, under his developmental blueprint, The ARISE Agenda, has led a revolutionary trajectory that has transformed our State, touched lives, redefined our politics, UNITED OUR PEOPLE and deepened the development narrative of Akwa Ibom State.
To commemorate this milestone, a series of activities have been lined up to celebrate, reflect, renew, and recommit our State to even greater accomplishments under Governor Eno’s pragmatic leadership.
But before I outline the programme of events for this celebration, please permit me to take you briefly through the highlights of some milestones recorded within these 24 months.
Under the Agricultural Revolution of the ARISE Agenda, the government launched the construction of the Ibom Model Farm—a 50-hectare pilot Songhai-model farm in Nsit Ubium, to be replicated in other parts of the State. Government empowered farmers, declared work-free farming days for civil servants, and instituted the ARISE Home Farmers Scheme with direct support to beneficiaries; distributed farm inputs, processing equipment, and activated Young Farmers’ Clubs across our secondary schools to grow a new generation of agripreneurs.
The administration has made strong interventions through the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP). Several rural roads have been rehabilitated, with more ongoing. Government has provided N2 billion in grants to farmers, another N2 billion to traders, and boosted cooperatives and SMEs with equipment and funding.
Infrastructural development remains paramount in the scheme of the Pastor Umo led government. So far over 163 roads, covering more than 700 kilometres, are under construction, some of which have already been commissioned across the State. These include inherited projects, new road maintenance programmes, solar-powered streetlights, and water supply systems in various communities.
To develop the State’s Maritime and blue Economy, the administration is pursuing the development of Ibom Deep Seaport project, the constructing the Oron Beach with new terminals, jetties, ferries, warehouses, and parks, developing a marine commercial hub, all set for completion later this year.
Aviation development has received a boost in i the last two years. Ibom Air has been strengthened with newly acquired aircraft. Finishing touches are being put to the new terminal building, while investments are ongoing to complete the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility for aircraft maintenance. A brand-new Aviation Village is under construction to ensure Akwa Ibom continues to play a leading role in Nigeria’s aviation ecosystem.
Across all 31 Local Government Areas, the administration has executed people-oriented, community-nominated projects, including Model Schools and Model Health Centres, fully equipped and tailored to local needs.
Security has remained a top priority for the Governor Umo Eno led administration. His Excellency established a stand-alone Ministry of Internal Security, procured gunboats, patrol vehicles, and other support for security agencies, as well as launched the Ibom Community Watch to provide rural intelligence and support security efforts across the State. Today, Akwa Ibom is ranked as one of the safest states in Nigeria and that is not by accident.
Educational advancement as an essential pillar of the ARISE Agenda has received deserved attention. The government is building Model Primary Schools across all LGAs, increasing student bursaries, supporting persons with disabilities with a N100 million fund, and sustaining and funding free education policy amongst other programmes.
In line with his compassionate vision, Governor Umo Eno has delivered 206 fully built ARISE Compassionate Homes to indigent citizens, with a target of 400. Over 500,000 households have benefitted from subsidized food under the Bulk Purchase Agency. A dedicated Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs has also been created to coordinate these efforts.
Workers’ welfare has received unprecedented attention. Over N78 billion has been paid in outstanding gratuities and entitlements. Additionally, 150 two-bedroom homes have been donated to lower-level civil servants.
Our youth are not left out. A stand-alone Ministry of Youths has been established. We’ve rolled out unemployment support, business grants, and other empowerment programmes to harness youth potential.
We are driving digital transformation through the new Ministry of Science and Digital Economy. Today, many of our government services are e-enabled, making Akwa Ibom truly future-ready.
We are constructing the 18-storey Ibom Towers in Lagos, rebuilding the 5,000-capacity Ibom Conference Centre, and developing a new 200-bed Quaternary Hospital, an Elderly Home, a Security and Command Centre, and a state-of-the-art AKBC Broadcasting Complex.
Our tourism flagship project, the ARISE Resort, has reclaimed over 70 hectares of gully land into a stunning destination featuring a 9-hole golf course, artificial lakes, luxurious apartments, shops, restaurants, medical and security services, and much more.
In addition, a robust Project Monitoring and Delivery System has been introduced—with over 50 new projects set for flag-off this year. Some have already commenced.
Gentlemen of the Press, this brief summary captures the intentional, people-focused, and impactful governance of Pastor Umo Eno in just two years.
As announced by the Secretary to the State Government, this second anniversary will be marked under the theme: “Celebrating Two Years of Spectacular Performance.”
Activities begin on Saturday, May 17, with a Government House Prayer Session, and will run through June 12, in the first instance. There will be the commissioning of completed roads, schools, and healthcare facilities, as well as a Special Thanksgiving Service at the International Worship Centre.
We invite all citizens, friends, stakeholders, and lovers of good governance to join us in celebrating the outstanding stewardship of His Excellency, Governor Umo Eno.
