Umo Eno’s Blueprint For Inclusive Economic Growth; ₦31bn, 31 Local Government, One Vision

Umo Eno’s blueprint for inclusive economic growth; ₦31bn, 31 Local government, one vision. The recent approval for release of ₦31 billion by the Akwa Ibom State Government for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) marks one of the most consequential economic policy decisions in the state’s recent history. Beyond the impressive headline figure, the structure, intent and timing of this intervention speak volumes about the development philosophy of the Governor, His Excellency Pastor Umo Eno, and the practical depth of his ARISE Agenda.

Under the scheme, each of the 31 local government areas of Akwa Ibom State is allocated ₦1 billion, deliberately decentralized to ensure equitable access to finance at the grassroots. This design departs from the traditional top-heavy approach to economic intervention and instead places resources directly where enterprise actually happens, in rural communities, local markets, farms, workshops and informal business clusters.

At its core, the ₦31 billion SME intervention is about access. For decades, the greatest constraint facing small businesses in Akwa Ibom, particularly women-led enterprises, artisans, farmers and informal sector operators, has not been lack of ideas or effort, but lack of affordable finance. Commercial lending structures have historically excluded this segment through prohibitive interest rates, rigid collateral requirements and urban-centric financial models. By routing funding through local government structures, the state government is dismantling these barriers and expanding the economic net to those who were previously invisible to formal finance.

The focus on agriculture, artisan trades and the informal sector is both strategic and timely. Agriculture remains the largest employer of labour in Akwa Ibom State, particularly in rural areas. Targeted financing for farmers, processors and agribusiness cooperatives will not only boost productivity and food security, but also strengthen local value chains and reduce post-harvest losses. In the same vein, artisans, from carpenters and welders to tailors, mechanics and builders, represent the productive backbone of the local economy. Supporting them with working capital and equipment finance directly translates to job creation, skills retention and income stability.

Women-led businesses occupy a special place in this intervention, reflecting Governor Umo Eno’s inclusive development outlook. Women dominate the micro and informal economy, especially in agriculture, trading and small-scale processing. Empowering them financially has a multiplier effect: household welfare improves, children’s education is sustained, and community economies become more resilient. In this sense, the ₦31 billion release is not merely an economic policy; it is also a social investment.

Critically, this initiative aligns seamlessly with the ARISE Agenda; Agriculture, Rural Development, Infrastructure, Security and Education, which has remained the guiding framework of the Umo Eno administration. By injecting capital directly into local economies, the government is tackling rural-urban migration at its roots. When rural enterprises are viable and profitable, young people are less compelled to abandon their communities in search of uncertain opportunities in overcrowded cities. Economic activity stays local, social cohesion is preserved, and development becomes balanced.

The intervention also speaks to the governor’s nuanced understanding of economic development, one that appreciates the interplay between microeconomics and macroeconomics. While large infrastructure projects and macro-level fiscal management remain essential, sustainable growth ultimately depends on the health of the micro economy: small businesses, household enterprises and informal operators.

These entities collectively constitute what economists increasingly recognize as the “underground GDP”, the undocumented but potent economic elixir that drives consumption, employment and local wealth creation.

By deliberately stimulating this underground GDP, the Akwa Ibom State Government is reengineering and reinvigorating the middle class from the bottom up. As SMEs grow, incomes rise, purchasing power expands, and local demand strengthens.

This, in turn, feeds into broader macroeconomic indicators such as internally generated revenue, investment confidence and economic diversification. In essence, the micro economy becomes the engine that powers macroeconomic stability.

Equally important is the psychological impact of this policy. It sends a powerful signal that government understands, values and trusts the everyday entrepreneur. It reinforces confidence among small business owners that governance can be responsive and development-driven. Such confidence is itself an economic asset, encouraging risk-taking, innovation and long-term planning.

Governor Umo Eno’s particular interest in the micro economy does not imply neglect of macroeconomic fundamentals. Rather, it reflects deliberate sequencing, building a strong economic base from the grassroots while maintaining fiscal discipline and strategic oversight at the top. 21This balanced approach is increasingly regarded as best practice in sub-national governance, especially in economies with large informal sectors.

Akwa Ibom

In approving for releasing of the ₦31 billion for SMEs across all local government areas, the Akwa Ibom State Government has demonstrated that inclusive growth is not a slogan but a policy choice. It is a bold affirmation that real economic transformation begins with empowering those who produce, trade, create and serve at the community level.

As implementation unfolds, transparency, accountability and effective monitoring will be critical to maximizing impact. This strategic intervention will not only stimulate enterprise but also redefine the development trajectory of Akwa Ibom State, firmly anchoring prosperity in the hands of its people and giving tangible expression to the promise of the ARISE Agenda.

Chief Patrick Edeke ANIPR writes from Akai-Atti Udesi in Mbo LGA of A’Ibom State

Ekerete Udoh
@highlight

PS: special birthday shout-out to Iliyasu Hamza Roni, Larry Hillz, Chinonyelim Uzoma Uwandi, Sembenge El-Benedicte Ekanem, Nse Eyoh, Iniobong Edet, Mmenyene Sabbas, Exotik Sam, Anthony Bassey Emmanuel, Kingsley Umoffia. Belated birthday wishes to Stopyra Etim Okpoyo, Etim Solomon, Michael Nsentip Okon, Gloria Hanson, Lumenze Chukwu, Joe Edet, Miriam Uwakwe, Thelma Plethora Benson, Rev’d Richard Peters, Comfort Enewara and Frater Effiom Anso.

CAS Assures NAF Veterans, Says “We Will Carry Everyone Along”

CAS assures NAF veterans, says “we will carry everyone along”. There was a deep sense of reunion, pride, and shared history as veterans of the Nigerian Air Force gathered, men and women whose years of service helped shape the strength and identity of the Service. Addressing them, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, delivered a message that resonated beyond policy and protocol: the Nigerian Air Force does not forget its own. He reaffirmed that veterans remain a living pillar of the Air Force family, respected, remembered, and deserving of continued care.

Represented by the Chief of Administration, Air Vice Marshal Martins, the CAS spoke with warmth and reassurance, encouraging veterans to place their health and wellbeing first. He reminded them that service to the nation creates a lifelong bond, and that the Air Force’s responsibility to its personnel does not end with retirement. Every veteran, he assured, would be carried along in NAF’s programmes and welfare initiatives, reflecting a promise that their sacrifices continue to matter.

The gathering became a celebration of legacy. The CAS paid tribute to the veterans’ contributions to national security, operational excellence, and the mentorship of younger generations of airmen and officers.

Their stories, discipline, and courage, he noted, remain embedded in the culture of today’s Air Force. He urged them to keep sharing their knowledge and experiences, describing their wisdom as a compass guiding the future of the Service.

CAS Assures NAF Veterans

During interactive sessions, veterans spoke candidly about their journeys, challenges, and hopes for improved welfare systems. Their voices filled the room with honesty and brotherhood.

Air Marshal Aneke assured them that their concerns would translate into action, with practical steps to strengthen healthcare access, welfare schemes, and engagement platforms.

His message was clear and heartfelt: no veteran will be left behind, and the Air Force will continue to walk the journey with those who once carried its colours.

Akwa Ibom Governor Eno Charges Youths To Shun Narcotics, Embrace Productive Ventures

Akwa Ibom Governor Eno charges youths to shun narcotics, embrace productive ventures. Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has charged youths across the country to shun narcotics and hard drugs, warning that drug abuse poses a grave threat to families, communities, and national development. He urged young people to take advantage of available opportunities and engage in productive ventures.

The Governor gave the charge on Friday, February 6, in Ikoyi, Lagos, during the public presentation of the book Kick The Habit, authored by Dr. Eno Udoma-Eniang.

Represented at the event by the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Information, Hon. Aniekan Umanah, Governor Eno described drug abuse as a cross-generational menace that destroys lives, weakens families, and undermines societal progress.

“Drug abuse is a challenge that touches families, communities, and every generation. It steals dreams, destroys lives, and weakens the foundations of our society,” the Governor said.

He disclosed that his administration is working closely with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to intensify the fight against illicit drugs, while sustaining advocacy and behavioural change campaigns through the State Ethical and Attitudinal Reorientation Commission (EARCOM), religious, social and cultural organisations. He added that the State Government is also implementing various youth-focused development programmes to ensure positive engagement.

Umo Eno

Governor Eno noted that books such as Kick The Habit play a critical role in combating substance abuse by educating the public on its dangers, prevention strategies, and the need for collective action.

Commending the author, Dr. Eno Udoma-Eniang, the Governor described the book as more than a literary work, calling it a powerful tool for awareness, advocacy, and behavioural change.

“This book is not just a story; it is a tool for awareness, advocacy, and change. Through research, real-life experiences, and practical guidance, the