Governor Eno Announces 39 Project Commissionings, September Thanksgiving as Akwa Ibom Turns 39

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has declared September 2026 as a Month of Gratitude, urging residents to unite in thanksgiving to God as the state prepares to celebrate its 39th anniversary.

…President Tinubu Expected in Akwa Ibom to Commission Projects as State Marks 39th Anniversary.

The Governor also announced plans for the commissioning of 39 projects across the state as part of activities marking the anniversary, while disclosing that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to visit Akwa Ibom to commission some of the projects executed by his administration.

Governor Eno made the announcement on Sunday, August 23, 2026, during the Victory Thanksgiving Service marking the conclusion of the 2026 Discovery Convention of the All Nations Christian Ministry International, popularly known as The Lord’s Kitchen.

The Governor expressed appreciation to the clergy, members of the ministry and other stakeholders for their continued support and commitment to the vision of the church and his administration.

Describing members of the ministry as his “heroes,” Eno thanked them for believing in the vision of the church and for giving him the privilege to lead them.

He urged Akwa Ibom people to dedicate September to reflecting on God’s faithfulness to the state and participating actively in thanksgiving activities.

According to him, the 39th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service will hold on September 20 at the International Christian Worship Centre, while a State Banquet is scheduled for September 23 at the new banquet hall of ARISE Palm Resort.

On the expected presidential visit, Governor Eno said President Tinubu is expected to pay an official visit to the state to commission some of the projects delivered by his administration.

He described the anticipated visit as a significant addition to the 39th anniversary celebrations and called on residents to pray for its success.

The Governor also announced that the 2026 Akwa Ibom Christmas Carol will hold on Friday, December 18, with the theme, “Peace on Earth and Goodwill to Men,” drawn from Luke 2:14.

He disclosed that participating choirs would be selected through a pitching portal, adding that Harmonic Voices had already been prequalified.
Ministering at the thanksgiving service, Pastor Simeon Afolabi, who spoke on the theme, “Bought With a Price,” based on 1 Corinthians 7:23, urged Christians to allow Christ’s sacrifice on Calvary to transform their lives.

He encouraged believers to surrender themselves to divine direction, draw their self-worth from their relationship with God and live without fear, stressing that those who have God on their side have no reason to feel defeated.

The service, which featured prayers for Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, the government, the people and the Church, was attended by prominent political, religious and community leaders.

Umo Eno

Among those present were Deputy Governor Senator Akon Eyakenyi; wife of the Senate President, Dr. Ekaette Unoma Akpabio; Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Lady Helen Eno Obareki; Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong; the Chief Judge of the state; Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah; Head of Civil Service, Mrs. Elsie Peters; Executive Assistant and Chief Delivery Advisor, Aniefiok Johnson; serving and former senators; top government officials; and other spiritual and temporal leaders.

The event brought the 2026 Discovery Convention to a close and ushered in preparations for Akwa Ibom’s 39th anniversary, with thanksgiving, the commissioning of 39 projects and the anticipated presidential visit taking centre stage.
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Governor Eno Unveils Miva Study Centre in Uyo as University Student Population Hits 34,000

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has unveiled the Uyo Study Centre of Miva Open University, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to expanding access to quality education and developing human capital in the state.
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The study centre, located at No. 26 Udo Udoma Avenue, Uyo, was officially unveiled on Friday by the Governor, who was represented at the ceremony by the Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Umanah.
Speaking at the event, Umanah commended the founder and management of Miva Open University for choosing Akwa Ibom as a location for its study centre, describing the initiative as a significant addition to the state’s growing educational sector.

The Commissioner described Governor Eno as an education-friendly leader, noting that education remains a key priority of the administration’s ARISE Agenda. He said the government had continued to implement policies and programmes aimed at improving access to education, strengthening human capital and equipping young people with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in a rapidly changing world.

Umanah assured private educational institutions and other stakeholders of the state government’s continued support and partnership, while expressing optimism that the presence of Miva Open University in Uyo would create more opportunities for students and contribute to the state’s human capital development.

Earlier, the Chief Operating Officer of Miva Open University, Aniekeme Umoh, said the institution was excited to deepen its relationship with Akwa Ibom through the establishment of the Uyo Study Centre.
Umoh commended the Governor’s ARISE Agenda, particularly its focus on education, human capital development, youth empowerment and shared prosperity, saying the priorities align with the university’s mission of providing accessible and relevant higher education.

She disclosed that Miva Open University, which began operations with about 500 students, has grown to more than 34,000 students.
According to her, the Uyo Study Centre was established to provide students in Akwa Ibom with a conducive environment for learning, interaction with other students and access to opportunities within the university’s wider academic community.

Governor Enoum

She added that the university was committed to creating a new category of higher education that responds to the realities of modern students and the demands of a rapidly changing world.

A 100-level Computer Science student of the university, Solomon Egheose, also commended the founder and management of Miva Open University for maintaining high standards in the administration of the institution.

Miva Open University is licensed by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and operates as an Open and Distance Learning (ODL) institution.
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Umo Eno Government Unveils Mass Empowerment Plan for Rural Women in Akwa Ibom

The Akwa Ibom State Government said it is targeting a total of 110,000 women for empowerment across the 31 Local Government Areas of the state through cooperative societies in October this year.
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The State Governor, Umo Eno, announced the plan during the launch of the Federal Government’s rural women empowerment initiative and the distribution of Liquefied Petroleum Gas cylinders in Uyo, the state capital, on Thursday.

Eno, who described women’s empowerment as critical to social welfare and a major component of his administration’s ARISE Agenda, said at least 300 women would be selected from each ward across the state for the programme.

Commending the Federal Government for bringing the LPG (cooking gas) distribution programme to the state, with 27,000 households targeted as beneficiaries, the governor said the state’s planned empowerment programme was designed to complement the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Initiative, which is already providing financial support to women across Akwa Ibom to establish and expand their businesses.

“We are particularly pleased that this programme prioritises women, youths and vulnerable households. Empowering women creates a multiplier effect that strengthens families, communities and local economies.

“This programme goes beyond the distribution of gas cylinders. It is about improving lives, protecting our environment and delivering economic opportunities directly to 27,000 households.

“Women empowerment is critical to social welfare and a major component of my administration’s ARISE Agenda, because we believe that women have the capacity to multiply whatever is entrusted to them.

“Akwa Ibom State will empower 110,000 women across the state through cooperative societies in October this year. At least 300 women will be selected from each ward across the state for the programme,” Eno said.

The governor described gas as more than a commodity, saying it is a catalyst for industrialisation, job creation, small and medium-sized enterprise development and long-term economic prosperity, adding that the programme demonstrated that Akwa Ibom is not only a major producer of gas resources but is also becoming a destination for gas-based investments and downstream utilisation projects.

According to him, the programme’s emphasis on entrepreneurship, skills development and economic inclusion complemented the state government’s efforts to create sustainable livelihoods and expand economic opportunities for residents.

He noted that access to cleaner cooking gas would help households reduce energy costs, improve health outcomes and protect women and children from the dangers associated with traditional cooking fuels.

Noting that Akwa Ibom is “open for business,” Eno invited investors to explore opportunities across the gas value chain, including LPG plants, cylinder manufacturing and maintenance centres, gas storage facilities, transportation and logistics, clean cooking solutions, gas processing, petrochemicals, gas-based manufacturing and energy infrastructure.

He assured investors that his administration would continue to provide an enabling environment through transparent governance, infrastructure development and collaboration with the private sector.

Earlier, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, said the event marked the launch of two major national interventions in the state: the rural women empowerment initiative for entrepreneurship development and the Akwa Ibom State partnership activation and distribution of LPG cylinders under the Decade of Gas National Grassroots LPG Penetration Programme.

Umo Eno

He said the programmes were designed to promote women’s dignity, safety, enterprise and wellbeing in line with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Initiative.

The minister also commended President Tinubu for placing women’s empowerment at the centre of national development.

“Women’s empowerment and clean energy cooking are deeply connected because both begin at the household level and create wider benefits for health, enterprise, family wellbeing and community development,” Ekpo said.
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