Gov. Umo Eno
By Osondu Ahirika
A bonus. Unexpected and unanticipated.
Irregular by all dimensions of execution.
A surprising spin and the downpour of blessings.
I can also call it a lottery for the good people of Akwa Ibom.
For those who gained from this unprecedented giveaway, it was a windfall from the Hilltop Mansion.
It was at once an all-out empowerment.
Governor Umo Eno doled out over 10,000 sets of equipment to 2,000 entrepreneurs and artisans.
Tailors, barbers, Hairdressers, cobblers, welders, vulcanizers, name them.
Every field of endeavour imaginable got a mention.
Of course Pastor Umo Eno promised, he would be strong on entrepreneurship.
Empowering and energising small businesses and medium-scale enterprises.
He finally initiated the ARISE Entrepreneurial Equipment Support Scheme.
To fulfil this ministry of entrepreneurial support.
As a corollary, Pastor Umo Eno further rolled out to other beneficiaries
– 77 minibuses,
– 31 saloon cars
And handsome rewards for academic excellence and exceptional grit.
Edidiong Essien who garnered 8 As in the 2023 West African School Certificate Examination, WASCE was awarded N10 million.
A Medical Doctor, Dr Joseph Akpan, who scored 10 distinctions out of eleven courses emerging best-graduating student got a full abroad scholarship
Five Akwa Ibom students who won the Singapore-Bilateral International School Debate got N15 million, with an additional N5 million going to the teachers who led the team.
Otobong Philip, a female tipper driver for her uncommon daring in that field was gifted N5 million.
The benchmark for their benevolence was his avowal abilities.
“I have always said that our best legacy would be the number of lives we would have positively impacted through entrepreneurial support schemes, humanitarian interventions and other kitchen-table issues that directly affect the quality of lives of our people, while also executing big-item projects. In all, as I have always said, the people will be our greatest legacy in governance.”
This milestone empowerment is many notches higher than the ‘Stomach Infrastructure’ proposition of former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose.
Permit me if it sounds superstitious.
The heavens affirmed the windfall in Akwa Ibom State.
First of its kind by a sitting Governor with a heavy downpour by nightfall.
An affirmation and acknowledgement of the showers of blessing upon the people.
I celebrate this compassionate governance model of His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, PhD.
Other governors can learn this model of leadership.
This is how to impact lives.
This is just March 11, 2025.
Four days ago, precisely on Saturday, March 8.
Governor Umo Eno made Santa Claus green with envy during the Abak Federal Constituency Townhall Meeting.
There, Governor Umo dispensed favour like a rainmaker in a season of drought.
A ₦2 billion grant for farmers.
Six individuals received a grant of ₦5 million each.
178 farmers received ₦500,000 each under the ARISE Farmers Grant.
Another 442 people received grants ranging from ₦150,000 to ₦700,000.
The goal was to empower the grassroots to stimulate economic growth.
Unrelenting. Governor Umo Eno proceeds to Oron today, March 12.
Oron is finally set to see the goodwill of intentional good governance.
The marine economy of that community is about to be revolutionised.
Expectations would not be cut off.
This season truly heralds the latter rain.
Ahirika is Head of Media and Advocacy Unit, Ethical and Attitudinal Reorientation Commission (EARCOM), Akwa Ibom State.
