Akwa Ibom State is celebrating its 39th anniversary, and Governor Umo Eno has expressed optimism about the state's future. In a statewide broadcast, Eno stated that the state's best chapters are still ahead, despite 39 years of existence being defined by faith, resilience, sacrifice, progress, and God's grace. He paid tribute to the forebears and past leaders who laid the foundation of the state.
Eno reflected on his three years in office, highlighting his administration's ARISE Agenda, designed to build, empower, protect, and create opportunities for the people. He mentioned that his administration has undertaken, commissioned, and continued work on over 1,500 kilometers of roads and 43 bridges, with a focus on rural communities. The governor emphasized that no community is too remote to matter, and no citizen is too far away to be remembered.
The governor discussed his administration's efforts in education, including sustaining free and compulsory education at the primary and secondary levels. He also mentioned the disbursement of N1.69 billion in bursaries, recruitment of 3,000 teachers, and the transformation of the College of Education, Afaha Nsit, into a university of education. Additionally, he announced full scholarships for two outstanding students: Uwakmfon Unwana Jacob and Dr. Joseph Akpan.
Eno also highlighted his administration's achievements in healthcare, including the enrollment of 258,000 people, including the elderly, in the state-run medical insurance scheme. Every local government area now has an ambulance service. Furthermore, the governor mentioned that his government has supported over 1,700 farmers with grants and inputs under the palm tree crop revolution and trained over 4,000 youths at Ibom-LED and Dakkada Skills Acquisition Centre.
The governor discussed his administration's efforts in housing, mentioning that over 500 units of ARISE Compassionate Homes have been handed over to vulnerable citizens. He also mentioned that over N98 billion of the N111 billion in inherited gratuities and emoluments has been paid to retirees. Additionally, Eno disclosed that the state has taken delivery of its fifth aircraft for Ibom Air, an Airbus A220-300.
Eno reaffirmed his commitment to the Ibom Deep Seaport project, describing it as a new economic gateway for trade, industry, and jobs. He also mentioned that the state is investing in tourism assets, including the Arise Palm Resort, International Convention Centre, and Arise Shopping City. Furthermore, the governor stated that the state has established the Akwa Ibom Electricity Regulatory Commission and Electrification Agency to improve power supply.
The governor urged Akwa Ibom people to protect the peace and unity of the state, emphasizing that political differences must not degenerate into hatred. He thanked Akwa Ibom people at home and in the diaspora for their support, assuring them that his administration would continue to build, empower, and unite the state.
Key points
- Governor Umo Eno marked Akwa Ibom state's 39th anniversary with a call for unity and an assurance that the best is yet to come.
- The governor highlighted his administration's achievements in education, healthcare, and infrastructure development.
- Eno reaffirmed his commitment to the Ibom Deep Seaport project and other economic development initiatives.
