… Splashes N215m Awards, Scholarships To Deserving Citizens
… “Gov Eno Has Marvelled Me” – Senate President
By Bassey Nkponam
UYO
Akwa Ibom governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has pledged to sustain his administration’s development agenda while building on the foundation laid by the founding fathers and past leaders of the State.
Governor Eno made the pledge on Wednesday while presenting a synopsis of his administration’s accomplishments over the past three years at a special variety night held at the Banquet Hall of the ARISE Palm Resort, as part of activities marking Akwa Ibom State at 39.
The Governor said his administration would continue to move the State forward until the completion of his tenure, expressing optimism that his government would be remembered for making further contributions to the State’s development.
“It is a night of gratitude, and I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Akwa Ibomites, friends and lovers of Akwa Ibom and all the people that have stood by Akwa Ibom these past 39 years”.
“I particularly want to thank our past leaders, from the military era to the civilian era, for the foundation they have laid. We are building on the foundation you laid. I have moved this State a little further, and I am praying that by the time we leave office, it would also be said that I moved the needle of development a little bit further when we hand over the baton to the next governor,” he said.
At the ceremony, Governor Eno splashed a N215 million
On his decision to align with the Federal Government, Governor Eno said the State had benefited from the collaborative leadership involving himself, the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and the APC-led Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu.
“Akwa Ibom is so blessed. In the history of Nigeria, this is the first time a State Governor is collaborating with a sitting Senate President. This collaboration means so much for us,” he said.
The Governor also unveiled plans to further promote Akwa Ibom’s cuisine and cultural heritage during the 2026 Christmas Unplugged celebration. He disclosed that Guinness World Record holder, popularly known as Hilda Baci, would anchor activities at the kitchen being constructed at the Christmas Village, where the State’s rich culinary heritage would be showcased.
“This year, we have one of our own who won the world record for being the longest cook. Hilda Bassey will be anchoring part of the programme we will have this year at the Christmas Village.
“We are building a kitchen and Hilda Bassey will be running the kitchen,” he said.
According to him, the initiative would provide an opportunity for the 31 local government areas to showcase their distinctive cuisines and promote Akwa Ibom’s rich culinary heritage to a wider audience.
Explaining the choice of the ARISE Palm Resort for the State banquet; Governor Eno said the facility was being test-run ahead of its planned commissioning by President Bola Tinubu.
“We are here at the ARISE Palm Resort to test-run it and expose you to the facilities around here. This is part of our promotion of tourism,” he stated.
Also speaking, the President of the Senate and Chairman of the National Assembly, Senator Godswill Akpabio, commended Governor Eno for what he described as remarkable accomplishments recorded during his first term.
Akpabio, who attended the event with his wife, Ekaette Unoma Akpabio, said the achievements recorded by the Governor demonstrated the importance of purposeful leadership.
“If your first tenure can be this sweet, if you could record this level of accomplishment in your first term, I wonder how your second tenure would be,” he said.
The Senate President particularly commended Governor Eno for transforming the former ravine site off Brooks Street in Uyo into a tourism destination, describing the development as evidence of the Governor’s commitment to leaving lasting footprints.
“Your Excellency, I must say I’m marvelled. What are you teaching us tonight? That when God gives you an opportunity, you must leave footprints behind. I know that this used to be a ravine and it was the worst ravine site in this State.
“This is Akwa Ibom united in action,” he said.
Akpabio described Governor Eno as a visionary leader, noting that Akwa Ibom had been fortunate to have benefited from successive administrations whose development initiatives had contributed to the growth of the State.
The variety night featured the presentation of the Governor’s Excellence in Leadership Award to the Vice Chancellor of Akwa Ibom State University, Prof. Otoabasi Akpan, in recognition of his achievements since assuming office.
Akpan was recognised for, among other accomplishments, securing accreditation for 49 new courses at the State-owned university, including Law and Medicine.
The Governor also honored Dr Joseph Akpan, best graduating Student in Medicine and Surgery in the University of Uyo for the 2024/2025 Session, splashing the Sum of N160,000,000.00 (One Hundred and Sixty Million Naira) only as full Scholarship to Study MSc Surgical and Intervention Science at McGill University, Canada.
Also, Uwakmfon Umana Jacob was presented a scholarship award of N30,million, while the Senate President added $10,000(Ten Thousand Dollars) to the recipients.
The event also featured musical performances, cultural displays and other entertainment.
Among dignitaries who graced the occasion were former Military Administrators, Col. Yakubu Bako (rtd.) and Group Capt. John Ebiye (rtd.); former Governor Obong Victor Attah; Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi; former Deputy Governor, Obong Nsima Ekere; Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong; Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah; former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Obong Umana Okon Umana; Senator Udo Udoma; Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Ms. Emem Usoro; serving and former members of the National and State Assemblies; members of the State Executive Council; former Commissioner for Finance, Obong Bassey Albert; Local Government Chairmen; traditional rulers; elder statesmen; Nollywood stars, including Ini Edo; Guinness World Record holder, Hilda Baci; among others.
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