… As Banks Confer Business Partnership Award On Eno, Bulletine, Ubotex, Ors
By Timothy Ekpo
UYO
The Akwa Ibom governor has solicited greater partnership with commercial banks for the provision of credit facilities for small and medium scale business financing in the state.
Pastor Umo Eno stated this at the 2025 Bankers Award and Dinner Night which took place in Uyo, recently.
Represented by the state deputy governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, the governor said such partnership would help to develop and build the economy of the state in line with the ARISE Agenda blueprint on entrepreneurial development.
Eno explained that through the Agenda, his administration has empowered many youths by providing business grants, equipment, and has built their entrepreneurial capacity, through Ibom-LED.
He stated that with the safer banking environment provided by his administration, all that was needed was the banking sector to provide the needed capital to boost available business opportunities initiated by his administration.
The state chief executive noted that if the economy of the state improves, the banking sector would be in advantaged position to gain in improving their capital base, stressing that the symbiotic relationship was what government had vigorously pursued with banks operating in the state.
The governor stressed that the banking sector remained the backbone of the state’s economy, mobilising capital, supporting businesses, enabling job creation and sustain economic stability, adding that these milestones, have compelled his administration to clear all debts owed commercial banks in the state.
On the 2025 Bankers Awards and Dinner Night, Eno observed that the event was aimed at celebrating excellence, professionalism, innovation, and the critical role the industry has continued to play in Nigeria’s economic development.
He told the gathering that his administration was committed to prioritising fiscal discipline, strategic investments, transparency and sustainable growth, aimed at building a resilient economy for both present and future generations.
Eno said the agenda, which promotes agricultural revolution, rural development, infrastructural growth, rural maintenance, security management and education advancement, was anchored on prudent financial management.
The governor assured banks of government commitment to provide a secure environment to deliver, and urged the sector to sustain its partnership in ensuring economic growth of the state.
The branch controller of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mrs Njideka Nwabukwu, in her remarks, commended Governor Eno for enhancing the socio-economic landscape of the State and boosting investor confidence.
Commissioner for finance, Mr. Emem Bob, described Governor Eno as bankers-friendly, noting that he has supported all banks operating in the state to enable them serve Akwa Ibom people.
Bob noted that under the Governor Eno’s financial reforms, the state government recently paid all bank loans inherited from previous administrations, and cautioned banks against unauthorised charges on government accounts.
He announced plans by state government to operate a Treasury Single Account (TSA) for the State, saying that the system would be automated to eliminate revenue leakages.
High point of the event was the conferment of Business Partnership Award on Akwa Ibom governor, Pastor Umo Eno, Ubotex Ltd, U&K Engineering, and Bulletine Construction Company Ltd.
Others were the Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command; Chairman, Internal Revenue Service; Deputy governor (Operations) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN); and the Accountant -General of Akwa Ibom State.
Discussion about this post