What Manner Of Man Is  Governor Umo Eno?

*Aniekan Umanah*

You could think it is undoable until you read about a man whose approach to governance is out of this world; a reality that could make one query, what manner of leader is Pastor Umo Eno, the Akwa Ibom State Governor.

Setting new paradigms in an unfathomable frequency and creating concomitant shifts  from the mundane, people are left trying to unravel the secret of the governor’s model of governance. He extends the awe every time he comes through with an awesome record.

The latest was Sunday, April 21, 2024 parley with serving and former National Assembly members of  Akwa Ibom extraction. This novel initiative of the governor is both instructive and exemplary, defying party divides, to elevate the Akwa Ibom brand and setting a standard we hope for reciprocity.

With over 60 of the 68 serving and former living National Assembly members, including the  Hon. Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas) Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, who admitted that Governor Umo Eno is giving Akwa Ibom people purposeful  and cherished leadership.

With such  people-oriented and inclusive governance approach  by the governor, the minister assured him that there will not be any Abuja Front formed to antagonize or oppose the governor.

Of course, who would have even led the front when Ekperikpe Ekpo is emphatic that the Senate  President, Senator Godswill Akpabio is solidly behind Governor Umo Eno? This can obviously not come out of nothing. There must be something Eno is doing differently well.

Apart from Ekpo, other members of the politically diverse forum espoused a disposition that made it unbelievable to imagine they were not members of a common political leaning. The air of conviviality, togetherness and banters  exemplified a typical plenary session laced in strands of patriotism  which Eno exudes.

The Senate President, who is first a member of the National Assembly, joined the unity hearing virtually. He was happy with the initiative of the governor and charged members to keep the steam and flame of that torch of love aglow.

The Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, who co-ordinated the evening event, described Eno as an exemplar in peace building. This mien has reflected in every sphere of his leadership style, which has shown in the collapsing of every imaginary wall of division in the state.

A governor of the people, Eno, who chaired the evening congress, said: “No matter the party we belong to, the fact still remains that we are one Akwa Ibom State. We can, as we are doing tonight, come together and look at things that unite us rather than those that separate us.” He went on, “Knowledge, I must emphasize, is not embedded in one party alone. We should criticize constructively and shun politics of bitterness and character assassination.”

Further re-enacting the parliamentary privileges Act and Rules which confer certain rights and honours in perpetuity to those who are or had the opportunity of a seat in the hallowed twin chambers of the National Assembly.

It was a great honour for respectable Akwa Ibom sons and daughters who have had their names stenciled in the robust archives of the National Assembly, the symbol and pride of Nigeria’s legislature.

Impressively, Eno personally navigated round all the tables and interacted one on one with everyone. He shared dinner in excellent accompaniment of civilized liquids in crystal glass cups resplendent of the Akwa Ibom culinary standard.

A worthy leader who has addressed the dogma of bias and clannish mentality. He is committed to giving everyone equal opportunity to add value to the Akwa Ibom project, believing that when the team is formidable, the result will be pleasant.

The governor is a leader who sees beauty in the differences of the people and accentuates such beauty through contramyopic leadership which has hoisted Akwa Ibom State on the totem pole of good governance.

He is not the kind of leader who is skeptical of working with people who may hold a different opinion from his, owing to backgrounds. He welcomes informed constructive criticisms, listens to and values inputs from all, including the ones with diverse perspectives.

Eno has continued to leave the people in awe and respect for his rare leadership attributes which has not left anyone behind but rather giving all a platform to excel.

This was aptly captured and extolled by the different speakers who spoke glowingly on the initiative of the governor. They likened him to a good shepherd with a good heart which is responsible for his sacrificial love for the entire flock.

The icing on the cake at the event was was the cutting of a unity cake bearing the insignia of the National Assembly which preceded a literarily unending photo session by the large Akwa Ibom family with brothers and sisters of the family taking turns with excitement.

The Governor, who is accepted across divides, as a blessing to Akwa Ibom is doing  the hitherto impossible to make Akwa Ibom State better. Time will tell !