Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has reiterated his commitment to sustainable development, stressing that his administration is laying a foundation that will “outlive us.”
Speaking in an exclusive interview on ARISE News on Friday, to mark the state’s 38th anniversary and his two years in office, Governor Eno described his greatest achievement as connecting emotionally with the people, particularly those in rural areas.
“Two years, time flies, but what will I say is my greatest achievement? Seriously, my emotional connectivity with the people, working with them, staying around them, being able to touch them, and when I mean touch them, not physically, seeing that you put smiles on as many faces as you possibly can, particularly in the rural community,” he said.
Responding to critics of his pace of governance, the governor insisted his approach was deliberate. “Development is not about rushing. It is about sustainability. I prefer to take my time to lay the right foundation so that what we are doing will last. We are building a new Akwa Ibom that will outlive us, not just temporary projects.”
Highlighting key initiatives, the governor pointed to the Arise Compassionate Homes project and entrepreneurship training. “Two projects stands clearly for me. We have the Arise Compassionate Homes for indigent people… We’re doing 500 of such homes across the length and breadth of the state, each ward, and we’ve done 267 so far. So the next thing is how we’re able to help our people in entrepreneurship… This is how to stimulate the economy, train entrepreneurship, giving helping hands to these young men and women.”
On personal regrets during his tenure, the governor was candid. “I have the greatest regret. I’ve lost my wife here. It’s painful. I wish she was here with me right now. Sometimes it’s tough.”
Governor Eno also spoke on his administration’s outreach to the albino community. “What we’ve done is we have a group. That group has been in existence. I even have a special assistant who is coordinating all of them. And they see me as their champion, one of their own, and I reach out to them.”
He credited collaboration with national initiatives, saying: “The first lady, the wife of the president, has done a fantastic job with them. So we plug into that, the office of the first lady here in Akwa Ibom plugs into that. And we reach out to them, ensure that they find that confidence, because all of this is about making them have confidence in themselves.”
The governor also addressed his family’s journey following the loss of his wife and a publicised incident involving his daughter. “They’ve had their mom pass. And this is me trying to fill the gap… she had that emotional breakdown. And what she actually said was that, I need to talk to you. And so, that was just it. But before you know it, again, like politics. Oh, everybody is giving their different interpretation.”
He added: “Thank God for pastors. Thank God for counselors. They were able to rally around the family, talk with us, pray with us. And I’m able to spend a little more time with them… She’s come out of it. We spend most weekends together.”
Governor Eno dismissed concerns about his daughters serving in his administration. “Well, I don’t see anything wrong about, they are eminently qualified to hold such positions. My first daughter coordinates the office of the first lady… Jane is a qualified occupational safety coordinator. Professional… I don’t see anything wrong in her doing that role. I’m not doing her a favour. She’s distilling service. That’s what it is.”
The governor also unveiled the thinking behind the newly launched Ibom Leadership and Entrepreneurial Centre. “What inspired that was my background. I have always been in entrepreneurship… That’s why we set up the Ibom Leadership and Entrepreneurial Centre. We don’t just want to give people fish, we want to teach them how to fish. When you leave there, you will be confident to run your own business. We are creating entrepreneurs, not just job seekers.”
Eno explained the focus on rural development, saying: “Because 70 percent of our people live in rural areas. If you don’t touch the rural communities, then you have not touched the people. That’s why we are building rural roads, schools, and health centres.”
Describing his leadership style, he said: “My leadership style is inclusive, compassionate, and transparent. I like to connect with the people, listen to them, and then take decisions. I don’t run a government from the office alone, I go out there to see things for myself.”
As Akwa Ibom celebrated 38 years of statehood, Governor Eno urged unity. “My message is simple: Let us work together. Politics must not divide us. At the end of the day, Akwa Ibom belongs to all of us. If we work together, we will build a greater future for our children. I also want to thank Akwa Ibom people for their support and prayers, especially in my personal difficult moments. Together, we will continue to build a state that every one of us can be proud of.”
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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