Akwa Ibom State: 848 Days Onboard a Pilot’s 2,922 Days Flight.

From take-off on May 29, 2023, for a 2,922 days flight to a renewed Akwa Ibom State, it is a solid 848 days today, September 23, 2025, in the hands of the Pilot.
With 2,074 days to landing, need we say more about the experiences of the 7.9 million passengers on board this flight?
Governors have come and gone, each piloting the state from one point to another. Today, another is on the saddle and is taking the state and its people to a new destination and in a different style and fashion.
Perhaps, this question may sum it all for this comment.
Ever seen a pilot constitute a panel of professionals or experts to come examine his or her flight, while airborne?
Well, on August 7, 2023, in Akwa Ibom State, an audacious event, in that manner, actually took place.
On that date, Governor Umo Eno, who is now sitting in the cockpit, had his Flight Management System, the ARISE Agenda Blueprint, in this case, scrutinized by a cross-section professionals, the media, civil society leaders, top federal government functionaries and the citizens.
Succinctly put by the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, while setting the tone at the event which was themed “Measuring Progress, Deepening impact”, the ARISE Agenda, he declared, is not a mere slogan, but a governing philosophy and a bold and deliberate road map anchored on conviction and clarity of purpose. He went on to say that the August gathering was not just a moment to report, but to reflect, measure and ask the hard questions that strengthens institutions and sharpens focus.
At the end of the examination of the ARISE Agenda Blueprint, the Governor was handed a very remarkable scorecard and this got the governor inundated with encomiums and applause from stakeholders and the people.
With the foregoing, and in just two years though counting, need we say more about the experiences of the Akwa Ibom State and people, and even beyond?
Perhaps again, an attempt to answer some questions bothering on some recent experiences in the state would suffice.
Have the people ever experienced the provision of compassionate homes, of which 205 ARISE Compassionate Homes, out of the planned 400 units of Homes, have been completed?
Ever experienced the provision of welfare and support for the elderly, with the provision of a senior citizens center aimed at uplifting the lives of senior citizens in the state, with recreation and health services, so that senior citizens can enjoy their golden years with dignity? This is bound in the state, with the ARISE Senior Citizens Center.
On the heels of this is the ARISE Medical Insurance Scheme, where retirees are now covered by medical insurance.
What with the whooping sum of N78 Billion committed to clearing long-standing gratuities!
Ever experienced a Town Square Meeting, where the governor meets face to face with the people of each federal constituencies in the state, hears from them their needs, for input into the government budget and planning and leaves these constituencies not without empowering the business needs of at least one thousand members of the constituencies?
It is however, important to note that the above mentioned empowerment gesture of Pastor Umo Eno is different from the billions of naira he has made available through various entrepreneurial sponsorship and support programmes, as well as the numerous human capital development programmes, across different sectors.
How about the coming of the state security Command and Control Centre, which will serve as a one-stop shop for intelligence gathering by the various security agencies operating in the state, while ensuring realtime response against security infractions?
What with the near 1000 kilometers of roads in both rural and urban areas, to connect to opportunities; the 5,000 capacity Convention Center, the new model healthcare centers and model schools across every local government, the Ibom Hotels, as well as the Ibom Towers, in Abuja and Lagos, respectively?
And then the Ibom ARISE Resort, which is described by Google as a new world-class destination in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, focusing on tourism, business, and digital innovation, and which features include a hybrid lake, swimming pool, floating bar, and apartments. The resort is transforming a former derelict area (of the state) and is part of Governor Umo Eno’s strategy to diversify the state’s economy and also attract tourism.
Now, note this,  despite the staggering amount the state has committed to all of the above and more, than cannot be mentioned here, for want of time and space, no loan has been collected by the state. Did you just wonder why? The answer is here and simple – prudent management of the state’s resources.
At this point, isn’t it obvious the flight has been an enjoyable one, in just 848 days? With 2,074 days to landing, the splendid and loquacious destination of the state and its 7.9 million passengers on board, can only be imagined.
To this, we say, Congratulations to His Excellency, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, the government and the people, as we all continue joyously on our state’s flight to El Dorado!