Oron Stakeholders Endorse Tinubu, Akpabio, Eno for Second Term

…Demand Full Implementation of Maritime University Acts
By Victor Essang
Stakeholders of Oron Federal Constituency in Akwa Ibom State have unanimously endorsed the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Umo Eno, for second terms in office, citing their leadership and commitment to development.
The stakeholders also appealed to the Governor and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to retain the Deputy Governor, Akon Eyakenyi, for another term.
The endorsements were made during a Federal Constituency Stakeholders’ Engagement on the University of Maritime Studies, Oron (UMSO), held on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at Ceedapeg Hotels, Ewet Housing Estate, Uyo.
The motion for the endorsement was moved by the Chief Whip of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Chief) Efiong Johnson, and seconded by the Executive Chairman of Urue Offong/Oruko Local Government Council, Rt. Hon. (Chief) Uno Etim Uno. Both were supported by lawmakers and council chairmen of Oro extraction.
Several prominent leaders lent their voices in support of the motion, including former Sole Administrator of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Efiong Akwa; former Senator representing Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District, Senator Nelson Efiong; former federal lawmakers Rt. Hon. Sir Esio Oquong Udoh and Chief (Barr.) Peter Linus Umoh; former Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem; and former presidential aspirant, Sir Edet Amana, among others.
Beyond the political endorsements, the stakeholders made a strong case for the immediate implementation of the University of Maritime Studies, Oron (UMSO) Act. They urged the Federal Government to end what they described as continued non-compliance with the extant law establishing the institution.
Specifically, they called for the constitution of a Governing Council, as well as the appointment of a Vice-Chancellor and other principal officers to facilitate the take-off of the university.
The forum further tasked the Member representing Oron Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Martins Esin, to sustain collaboration with key stakeholders and relevant federal authorities, including the Senate President and the state government, until the UMSO Act is fully implemented.
In recognition of his performance, the stakeholders passed a vote of confidence in the lawmaker and adopted him as their preferred candidate for a second term, urging him not to relent in his advocacy for the constituency.
Responding, Rep. Esin expressed gratitude for the endorsement, noting that it would further motivate him to intensify efforts toward the full implementation of the UMSO Act. He assured that ongoing engagements with critical stakeholders would be sustained to ensure the institution takes off.
“We are confident that the Act establishing the university will not be repealed. What is required now is sustained engagement to ensure its full implementation,” he said, stressing the need for continued collaboration with the Senate President, the Governor, and other relevant authorities.
He commended the Governor for his consistent commitment to the actualisation of the university and reiterated the importance of strategic follow-up to achieve set goals.
Stakeholders drawn from Oron, Mbo, Okobo, Udung Uko, and Urue Offong/Oruko local government areas used the forum to deliberate on the status and future of the institution. They reaffirmed their collective resolve to ensure the full take-off and operation of the University of Maritime Studies, Oron.
The group also expressed appreciation to past and present members of the National Assembly, particularly the Senate President, Senator Akpabio; the Senator representing Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District, Senator Ekong Sampson; and Rep. Martins Esin, for sustaining the legislative and political momentum that led to the transformation of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, into a full-fledged university.