From Emmanuel Iyoho
ABUJA
The Akwa Ibom governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has been recognised and honoured by the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) as the best labour friendly governor in Nigeria.
Presenting the Award to the governor, during the annual dinner and awards night of the TUC, which took place at Abuja Continental Hotel, in Abuja, over the weekend, the President of TUC, Comrade Festus Osifo, said the Award was in recognition of Governor Eno’s outstanding efforts, dedication and selfless services towards the growth and well-being of workers in Akwa Ibom.
According to Osifo, the selection of the winner passed through due process, properly handled by experts.
TUC Award is an annual event organised to honour distinguished Nigerians for their outstanding contributions and dedication towards the growth and well-being of workers in the country.
Receiving the Award on behalf of the governor, the commissioner for labour and manpower planning, Mr. Ikoedem Ekong, expressed appreciation to the Almighty God and thanked the TUC for finding Governor Umo Eno worthy for the Award.
He assured Nigerians that with the honour, the governor would do even more as far as Akwa Ibom workers’ welfare are concerned.
“I receive the Award as the Best Labour Friendly Governor in Nigeria on behalf of our governor, Pastor Umo Eno,” the commissioner said, noting that the award bestowed on Governor Eno was deserving, because of what he has put in place as far as labour related issues and others in the State are concern.
Also speaking, the special assistant to the governor on mobilisation in Abuja, Comrade Kingsley Iwok, expressed joy over the honour done the governor by the TUC, in recognition of Governor Eno’s excellent performances since he came into office as governor of Akwa Ibom State, noting that “So far, Governor Eno has performed extremely well.”
Iwok pointed out that apart from the payment of N80,000 new minimum wage to workers in Akwa Ibom, the governor has also paid about 80 percent backlog of pension and gratuities to retirees in the State.
“The workers are happy, especially the teachers. Workers are receiving their salaries as and when due. He does not owe workers in the State,” Iwok stated and called on Akwa Ibom people to support the ARISE Agenda of the governor, as well as his second term bid, for continuity.
Speaking with The Pioneer, shortly after the event, the deputy president of TUC, Comrade Tommy Etim Okon, said the governor was honoured because he has prioritised labour issues and the welfare of workers in the State.
Okon urged the people to support the Umo Eno administration, adding that he was ready to mobilise people, come 2027, for the governor’s second term bid.
In his remarks, the chairman of TUC, Akwa Ibom State Council, Comrade Dominic Abang, who was part of the delegation to receive the Award for the governor, expressed happiness, saying he was the most fulfilled chairman of all the chairmen of the State councils.
“I am very happy that it is in my tenure, under my leadership in the State that my governor is being honored this way.
“I am very happy that my governor accepted the Award. The Award is a clear testimony that Pastor Umo Eno is the best performing governor and labour friendly governor in Nigeria,” Abang said.
Dignitaries at the event included prominent sons and daughters of Akwa Ibom State residing in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and its environs, including staff of Akwa Ibom Liaison Office in Abuja, led by the permanent secretary, Mr. Aniekan Akpan, special assistant (SA) to the governor on Mobilisation, Comrade Kingsley Iwok, deputy president TUC, and former president, Akwa Ibom Community in Abuja, Comrade Tommy Etim Okon, among others.
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