Boom

UNENDING OVATION
FOR GOVERNOR ENOBy Tony Udoh Anthony Udoh

For many Akwa Ibom people, Sam J . Ervin, the former U.S. Senator from North Carolina who fondly refer to himself as a “country lawyer,” was specifically addressing the State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno when he said, “a person who is worthy of being a leader wants power not for himself, but in order to be of service.”

Governor Umo Eno, for the past one month, has proven beyond reasonable doubt that his vision and aspiration for the top job in the state was not for himself but purely for service.

However, since previous articles had captured the events of previous weeks, effort is made here to stay focused on events of week four, which climaxed with seeming unending ovation.

For a governor who is approaching governance with a private sector mindset, every single minute of the day counts, that is why the governor would surprisingly moves straight to the office on return even from seemingly tiring trips within or outside the State.

As it is in his character, upon return to the State after his visit to the Turkey Embassy for a partnership talk, he moved straight to the office where engagements on the establishment of Akwa Ibom Medical City, a combo medical and hospitality corridor between the Ibom Multi – Specialist Hospital, Uyo, and the Four Point By Sheraton, Ikot Ekpene was initiated.

Establishing a medical corridor within that location was one of the campaign promises of Pastor Eno, which according to him, as elucidated during his campaign at Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area, is aimed at maximizing the Ibom Multi – Specilist Hospital and the Four Point by Sheraton Hotel and to create job opportunities for Akwa Ibom people.

To ensure a safe environment across the state, the governor met with key players in the environmental sub-sector where he restated his administration’s resolve to partner the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), to checkmate ecological challenges in the state.

While declaring open the Disaster Preparedness and Risk Reduction Strategies on the Outcome of the 2023 Season Climate Prediction and Annual Flood Outlook, the governor expressed appreciation for the collaboration between Nigerian Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Nigerian Metrological Agency (NIMET), and Nigerian Hydrological Services (NIHSA), agencies in their service delivery, saying that the union has open a new vista towards averting mistakes that was done in the past in the area of disaster management. He further noted that it is a common approach in the State for Ministries and Agencies to work together to achieve the same purpose and bring benefits to the state.

Still on keeping to his campaign promises, the governor led a strong state delegation to flagged off the construction of Ndiya Street, Drainage and Solar Lighting Project in Akpan Andem Market withinUyo metropolis.

To continuously connect with the people in line with his promise to bring government closer to the people, the governor punctuated his convoy at different points to interact, encourage, and patronize vendors at some strategic points.

This, according to many, is a rare development in a country where politicians were only seen patronizing street traders during their electioneering period. This has therefore earned him different heart-warming reputatio, including ; “street governor,” and “the peoples’ governor,” among others.

Despite his busy schedules, the governoror took out time to identify and celebrate with one of his support staff, former Miss Mary Ekeng Udoma, as well as the publisher of a local newspaper, Global Concord, Mr. Thomas Thomas who walked down the aisle with their partners, Pastor Aniekan George Inyang and Miss Itoro respectively.

These show of solidarity, affection and encouragement to people of the State were extended on Sunday to the Anglican Bishop of Uyo Diocese, Rt. Rev. Prince Asukwu Edet Antai, and wife, Dame Victoria Antai, who both retired as the Bishop of Uyo Diocese of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and President of Women Ministries of the Church respectively.

Similarly, the governor also identified and celebrated with the Chairman of Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area, Hon Ekopimo Polycarp and family at the dedication of their twin children, where he used the opportunity to advise LG chairmen to take charge and ensure peace and security in their respective domains.

In all, a seeming hat-trick was scored with a sustained ovation at the Victor Attah International Airport when the governor led a strong State delegation to receive the Senate President, Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio who arrived the state for the first time since he was elected president of the 10th Senate.

In demonstration of his resolve to ensure an all inclusive governance and to put the State above self, the governor who had earlier visited and celebrated with Senator Akpabio, elegantly stormed the airport and warmly received the Senate President whom he said is the pride of the State.

These evidently confirmed that Governor Eno is ready and willing to serve the State and not self, and has attracted ovations, which is still reverberating in unimaginable frequency across the State, and even beyond.