By Bassey Nkponam
UYO
It was a roll call of the who is who in Nigeria and Akwa Ibom at the special thanksgiving service, Wednesday,held to celebrate the 60th birthday of the State governor, Pastor Umo Eno, as former Nigerian President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, President of the 10th Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, represented by his wife, Unoma, immediate past governor of the State, Mr Udom Emmanuel, minister of State for Petroleum Resources(Gas), ObongememEkperikpe Ekpo, and other Nigerians and Akwa Ibom dignitaries graced the occasion, extolling Eno’s ingenuity in governance.
The former President, Jonathan, in his remarks at the event, which took place at the International Worship Centre, in Uyo, noted that in the last four dispensations, Akwa Ibom had been so blessed with governors, who in their different capacities, have moved the State to a higher pedestal.
According to him, since the return of democracy in 1999, Akwa Ibom has been blessed with good and focused governors, adding that the operational philosophy of continuity has remained a major factor in the development trajectory of the State.
Jonathan congratulated Eno on his 60th birthday, observing that from Obong Victor Attah down to Udom Emmanuel and to the current governor, Akwa Ibom has been choosing people that are focused.
He lauded Eno for his proactive leadership in less than a year in office, as seen in life-touching infrastructure initiated by him, particularly, the CKS Model Primary School along Wellington Bassey Way, Uyo, he visited; the 3-in-1 Atiku Abubakar erosion reclamation projects he commissioned earlier that day and other life-touching projects he has seen in the state during his visit.
The former President congratulated Eno on his 60th birthday, and his attainment of outstanding feat in governance in less than a year in office, maintaining that a governor does not need to complete first four years to prove his worth to the people as a great leader, but that Eno has justified his mandate by the people.
According to him, the governor has initiated and completed need-based projects and programmes, including inherited ones, in less than a year in office, noting that, the model of primary schools in the state, at Christ the King Primary School he visited, is an indication of Eno’s vision for education in Akwa Ibom.
“I must say one thing, not because Udom is here, from Victor Attah down to the current governor, Akwa Ibom has chosen people that are focused. The Governor we are celebrating today is focused.
“In the first hundred days, you can assess somebody by the calibre of the people he has appointed to work with him, with competent characters and policies. By the time it gets to one year, what I call the house clearing jobs, how he fared with some of the projects that they inherited and the projects that are critically important to the welfare of the people”.
With you, the little I have seen, I am quite confident you will do very well and you will be a good example and somebody that the church will be proud of. So I join every other person to celebrate and congratulate you on your 60th birthday. May God continue to give you the wisdom and the understanding to handle the state affairs”.
The Senate President and former governor of the state, Senator Godswill Akpabio, who was represented by his wife, Unoma, congratulated Eno on his attainment of the diamond jubilee and appreciated him for building bridges of peace in the State.
Akpabio prayed for God’s blessings of good health and sound mind upon him, as well as direction for his administration in the state.
The immediate past governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, in his goodwill message, expressed gratitude to God for the life of Eno at 60, noting that his past life encounters must have been a preparation to bring him to where he is, presently, urging him to make the most of his present season of foresight, and continue to build a harmonious, focused and balanced Akwa Ibom.
Emmanuel saw the thanksgiving service as apt, given the many successes Eno has recorded in his life, recalling some of the experiences during the last election, saying that God has kept him thus far to fulfill his destiny.
He recalled some of the experiences during the last electioneering campaign, and said,“let me borrow from the man who gave the homily today, he said from Psalm 103, when you want to thank God, you have to go a little bit deeper and be specific. I think that is where the song writer got it from when he said, count your blessing, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done”.
The minister of state for Petroleum Resources (Gas), ObongememEkperikpe Ekpo, described the governor as the champion of Akwa Ibom unity, saying that he has not only lived up to his calling as a pastor, but has also shown himself as a people-centric leader, making the church proud.
Ekpo, who felicitated the governor on his birthday said, “I have watched you within these few months. As a pastor you have not disappointed the Church.Asa politician, you have not disappointed us, and as a governor you have been a very good shepherd. You are the champion of peace in Akwa Ibom State”.
The president general, Akwa Ibom State Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers, and paramount ruler of Nsit Ubium Local Government Area, HRMNtenyin Solomon Etuk, described Governor Eno as a man with the fear of God, a man of peace, noting that peace radiates around him.
Etuk, who saw Eno as a man to be trusted, said he was surprised at what God has used him to do in the State, presently.
The celebrator, Pastor Umo Eno, expressed gratitude to God for taking him and his family through the various phases of life to prominence, thanking Akwa Ibom people for giving him a chance, even as he reaffirmed his pledge to serve Akwa Ibom people with utmost humility and penchant for unity.
Flanked by his wife, Patience, children, grandchildren, siblings and other members of his family, the governor appreciated God for his life and that of his family.
Eno thanked the former President, Jonathan, for honouring him with his presence at the event as special guest of honour, and particularly expressed appreciation to the immediate past governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, for standing by him through all the rigours of politics to becoming his successor.
He further thanked former governor of the State and Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and former Gov Victor Attah, whom he described as grandfather of the present Akwa Ibom.
Eno recalled the turbulent moments of the last governorship election and appreciated his predecessor for his unwavering support.
“You know, the history of Akwa Ibom is like, Attah begat Akpabio, Akpabio begat Udom Emmanuel and Udom Emmanuel begat Umo Eno; that is the genealogy of Akwa Ibom and we thank God.
“We can work together. We can stay across party lines and we can work harmoniously because when there is a problem, we will not be able to gather like this. For me, this is the greatest testimony after my health, after my wife’s health and after my children and grandchildren’s. The fact that Akwa Ibom State is united and we are making progress is a great testimony.I want to say, today is indeed a day to thank God. It is one of my happiest days in life. Something happened inside this hall today, and I know that God is leading Akwa Ibom somewhere.
“I would like to thank God for the life He has given to us, my family. I want to thank him for all the journey he has taken us through. It has not been easy, but we thank God. From ages past, God has been faithful. Our parents left us when we were very young. Our father died at the age of 50, and I am here today at 60. We just thank God.
“So you can only see that it has been God. If not for God, you can not even lift your head from that kind of burden. So I know where I am coming from, I know my story, I know who I am, and I know that God picked me from the dunghill and brought me to eat with kings. So it is a great privilege, and forever, I shall remain grateful.
He appreciated all for celebrating him on his 60th birthday.
Highpoint of the event, was the cutting of the 60th birthday cake by the celebrator, the governor, assisted by his wife, Pastor Patience Eno, children, grandchildren and others.
Discussion about this post