As Akwa Ibom’s Umo Eno Sets Sail

PERSPECTIVE

Adroitly navigating numerous contrived hurdles on the path to his ascendancy as the fifth elected governor of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, assures a golden era for the “Land of Promise” as he sets sail, writes Louis Achi

Up-close his sheer vibration of energy is reminiscent of an active volcano’s. In a sense he is one. But this dimension could only fairly be applied to the intensity of his mission focus and rugged determination.

At the level of small talk you could hardly best him. But for the top-notch industrialist and sturdy Shepherd of Christ more at home with deep analyses and action this trend of dialogue could pall easily. With his life story he has certainly proven that faith, entrepreneurship, public administration and now politics fundamentally address human development.

An interview session with him clearly leaves little doubt that indeed Akwa Ibom State means business. Meet His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, governor of the “Land of Promise.” The clarity of his driving inspiration to transform his state is compelling.

Hear him: “I come as a priest and I come as a king; and the two roles will be interwoven and interchangeable as I govern Akwa Ibom with godly influence.”

Perhaps, from a clergyman’s bent for exact semantics, he quickly corrects THISDAY’s reference to his predecessor, former Governor Udom Emmanuel, as his political godfather: “My worthy predecessor, His Excellency, Governor Udom Emmanuel is my political father who supported me against all odds to make this day a reality.”

With notable humility, Governor Eno consistently acknowledges that “My predecessor has made this State ready for economic explosion. We would connect the dots and have our people A.R.I.S.E with us for greater glory and growth.” The governor’s “A.R.I.S.E” agenda which resonates with Akwa Ibom people stands for: Agricultural Revolution, Rural Development, Infrastructural Maintenance/Advancement, Security Management and Educational Advancement.

Many observers view the governor’s A.R.I.S.E agenda as a robust and easy-to-digest economic blueprint if implemented to the letters and spirit.

Picking a specific development niche to illustrate his contention that his predecessor has indeed made the state “ready for economic explosion,” he observes that “From aviation development, where today we are the only sub national with a thriving airline in the nation, the Ibom Air, to the smartest Airport Terminal building, the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) the longest Taxiway in the nation, with Category 2 Certification, our story has been one where, as providentially stated in Job 22: 29: “when men are cast down, then thou shall say there is lifting up.”

Significantly, the emerging consensus from aviation experts is that Ibom Air flying from the state-owned Victor Attah International Airport has indeed positioned Akwa Ibom State on the international business pedestal, boosting the state’s corporate image and heightening her perception as a true highly-rated industrial destination.

Through massively up-scaling the development positives firmly recorded by his predecessor, former Governor Udom, Pastor Umo Eno, now in the saddle, promises he will undoubtedly improve the infrastructural profile and economic opportunities, which have impacted the lives of the people of Akwa Ibom State.

As a notable expert in wealth creation, Governor Eno knows that when an enabling environment is created, private investments and capital will flow in to harness opportunities and in the process more wealth is created.

Governor Eno recently demonstrated his penchant for optimal usage of time when he visited President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, last week. He apprised the President on Akwa Ibom’s developmental strides and directly solicited his support for the completion of the Ibom Deep Sea Port project, the Calabar-Itu Road and the Export Free Zone license for the Maintenance, Repairs and Overhaul (MRO, ) hanger at the Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo, which is the only MRO in West Africa.

According to Governor Eno, “Politics is over. It’s time for governance. We must do whatever it takes to bring the dividends of democracy and good governance to the people of Nigeria and Akwa Ibom State in particular”.

Also while in Abuja, the clergyman governor inspected the remodelled Akwa Ibom State Liaison office in Abuja and declared that the six-floor magnificent property must earn revenue and add more value to the State government, in addition to its role as the office of the State government in the Federal Capital City.

Accordingly the governor immediately directed that only one floor of the six-floor choice property located in the Central Business District of the federal capital be used as the Liaison Office proper, while the five remaining floors be leased out to reputable blue-chip companies in search of up market and deluxe accommodation.

His words: “I am a businessman and I know that such a high class and high quality complex in the centre of Abuja, made possible by my predecessor-governor, Deacon Udom Emmanuel, can add more value and do more good to Akwa Ibom in addition to its pride of place as our home base in Abuja.”

A strong believer in well thought out measures, as Governor Eno settles in to guide his native state along the exciting road of his governance vision, Akwaibomites are bathed in powerful expectation. Certainly, as he gives meaning to his self-set targets of agricultural revolution, rural development, infrastructural maintenance/advancement, security management and educational advancement, a golden era for a new Akwa Ibom will unquestionable emerge.

Governor Eno perceptively dismisses the poser of whether being a shepherd of Christ and now governing men is potentially conflicting. He told THISDAY that, “There is no conflict. Before God brings you to a larger audience; before He puts you on the stage, He would have tried you like gold, refined you in the furnace before he showcases you. I have been pastoring for 23 years.

“So there really is no conflict. It’s a higher responsibility in God’s vineyard. After all, Akwa Ibom is God’s own state. And Akwa Ibom has God’s own people. So rather than remaining the pastor of a few, you’re now a pastor of over seven million people. You are expected to lead with compassion. You are expected to be focussed. You are expected to lead with the fear God.”

As it were, a powerful vision draws in ideas, people and other resources. It creates the momentum and will to make change happen. It inspires individuals, complementary organizations and institutions to commit, to persist and to give their best. Importantly, Governor Eno brings to his new executive mandate, impeccable professionalism, discipline, unswerving faith and steely persistence to change the traditional narrative of governance.

No less a child of providence, who wields influence and authority with alluring humility and exemplary focus, to-date he unabashedly maintains this unique footing. An unwavering sense of duty, demonstrable integrity and almost a child-like faith in his beloved God, form the navigational compass of his existential journey.