Akwa Ibom
How Governor Umo Eno Creating Cities Out Of A City
How Governor Umo Eno Creating Cities Out Of A City
How Governor Umo Eno creating cities out of a city. On Dominic Utuk Avenue in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, where a menacing erosion gully once swallowed land, livelihoods and hope, a new geography has emerged.
It is not merely a construction project; it is an audacious reimagining of space and the recreation of the biblical “City Made of Gold”. The ARISE Palm Resort standing on the space today is a proof that vision, when matched with execution, can convert ecological scars into economic signatures.
Before bulldozers progressively arrived the site, the 70–71 hectares were a troubled landscape—deep ravines, criminal hideouts, and advancing erosion threatening nearby public and private infrastructure. What could have remained an environmental liability has instead become an engineered ecosystem, courtesy of the visionary leadership of the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno.
At the construction site of the “City” which unarguably is the first of its kind in Nigeria, ten to twelve metres of unstable earth have been excavated and replaced. A massive drainage control tunnel—about 3.5 metres high and 6 metres wide—now channels water responsibly. This is not beautification; it is environmental surgery, and the narrative shift from danger zone to economic citadel sends a powerful development message: decay is not destiny.
At the center of the resort is a cynosure of a Palm tree, which is both symbolic and instructive. This, perhaps, explains why Palm forms part of the name. In local culture, the palm tree represents resourcefulness—every part productive, every yield valuable. In similar fashion, the resort has been structured so that each facility—sports, hospitality, retail, conferencing, entertainment—becomes a revenue stream.
The foregoing implies that the ARISE Palm Resort is not an isolated beautification effort. It is a coordinated strategy aligning erosion control, tourism development, employment generation, renewable energy adoption and revenue expansion within a single framework. Few public projects attempt such multi-layered integration.
To understand the scale, one must see the resort not as a leisure park but as a multi-sector economic city. At its heart lies a nine-hole golf course built across hills, slopes and a bridge that spans a water channel—challenging terrain that meets international sporting standards.
Around it radiate villas, apartments, banquet halls, exhibition galleries, sports complexes, retail spaces and waterfront attractions. This is urban planning within a single perimeter.
Additionally, the economic projections are striking. When fully operational, the resort is expected to generate between ₦22 and ₦27 billion annually in internally generated revenue. In an era where subnational governments struggle with fiscal sustainability, this single development could significantly strengthen the state’s revenue base and foreign exchange inflows through tourism and events.
But macroeconomics often hides the human pulse. During construction alone, about 2,000 direct jobs were created, with an estimated 10,000 indirect engagements across supply chains. If each worker supports an average family of four, the livelihood impact extends to tens of thousands. Bricklayers, welders, ICT experts, gardeners, food vendors, POS operators—an entire micro-economy found oxygen.
Expressing her excitement about the all-in-one project, Grace Etim, a food vendor at the site confided thus: “I used to worry about feeding my children,” . “Now, lunch hour feels like harvest time.” Another artisan admitted candidly that steady site work kept many young men away from destructive paths. Development, in this sense, became a social stabiliser.
Significantly, the execution leaned heavily on local content. No expatriates dominated the workforce. Nigerian professionals—about 75 percent from Akwa Ibom—interpreted, developed and delivered the governor’s vision. It is infrastructure built by indigenous competence, reinforcing confidence in local capacity.
At the resort, power is not an issue as energy sustainability forms another pillar that makes the center unique and distinctively different. A 1.5-megawatt solar farm powers the complex, complemented by a dedicated public electricity line and standby generators. This layered power architecture reduces vulnerability and aligns with global hospitality standards where uninterrupted service is non-negotiable.
Again, security and institutional presence further reinforce investor confidence. With a police post, fire service station, clinic, pharmacy, bank, and 24/7 CCTV control room, the resort functions like a self-contained municipality. It is leisure fused with governance infrastructure—order embedded within recreation.
The artificial lake, stretching about 2.6 kilometres in its expanded design, introduces aquatic tourism—floating bars, canoe rides and planned electric boats. Waterfront dining and landscaped walkways extend over 1.5 kilometres, encouraging family recreation and wellness culture. It is environment curated as experience.
Sports tourism is another strategic layer. Beyond golf, other sporting activities that will take place at the resort include football, tennis, basketball, volleyball, badminton, squash, bowling, gymnastics and yoga. With a 1,500-capacity banquet hall expandable toward 2,000 seats and six breakout rooms, the resort positions Uyo as a conference and events destination capable of hosting national and international gatherings.
Quite commendable is the proximity of the resort to the Victor Attah International Airport. Delegates can land and arrive at a world-class leisure and conference environment within minutes. In tourism economics, accessibility determines viability. Here, geography cooperates with vision.
The residential component—20 luxury apartments (15 two-bedroom and five three-bedroom units) with smart-room features and curated services—signals long-stay hospitality potential. The Phase Two’s additional villas further amplify revenue streams and property value appreciation within the axis.
Critics may call it ambitious. Supporters may call it transformative. But its structural logic is undeniable: creating an attraction that multiplies value across sectors—agriculture (through food supply), transport, retail, entertainment, real estate and professional services. The multiplier effect is already visible in surrounding communities.
Importantly, the resort rebrands Uyo psychologically. Cities grow not only by population but by perception. A destination city attracts conferences, destination weddings, sporting tournaments and cultural festivals. Each event translates into hotel bookings, restaurant bills and transport fares.
How Governor Umo Eno Creating Cities Out Of A City
For Governor Umo Eno, this is more than bricks and landscaping. It is governance as place-making. By reclaiming a threatened terrain and converting it into a revenue-yielding asset, he demonstrates how leadership can create cities within cities—self-sustaining enclaves that relieve pressure on government finances while uplifting citizens.
Ultimately, the ARISE Palm Resort is a statement that development need not be incremental; it can be catalytic. From ravine to revenue hub, from erosion site to economic citadel, the transformation challenges conventional limits of subnational ambition.
In the final analysis, the ARISE Palm Resort is less about luxury and more about leverage. It leverages reclaimed land into revenue, recreation into employment, and vision into measurable economic value.
In doing so, it offers a template for how bold subnational leadership can indeed create cities out of a city—transforming geography into growth and aspiration into architecture. This is what the Arise Agenda of Governor Umo Eno represents- leadership with a human face.
Venerable Richard Peters is a Public Relations manager and writes from Uyo.
Akpabio Commends Governor Umo Eno On Peaceful Conduct Of APC State Congress
Akpabio commends Governor Umo Eno on peaceful conduct of APC state congress. The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio has commended the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno for the peaceful conduct of the State congress of All Progressives Congress.
Akpabio who participated in the Congress held at Uyo Township Stadium in Akwa Ibom State, observed the peaceful ambience that trailed the party event. He noted that in the past such events were always rancourous and marked by factionalization and acrimony.
The Senate President commended Pastor Eno for broad consultation and inclusive governance which led to the emergence of a new executive committee for the party in the state through consensus as prescribed by the constitution of the party.
A statement by the Special Assistant on Media/Communication to the President of the Senate, Anietie Ekong quoted Senator Akpabio as saying: “Somebody alluded to the fact that it was not always like this. Congresses in the State were always characterized by factions.
“While some gathered here at the Stadium, others would gather at a hotel to do their own parallel congress. But you will be shocked that before you get to Abuja it is the rag-tag congress that would be recognized by the Party.
“Just recently when the team came from Abuja to conduct the congress here, they had to be led to the State Office of the Department of State Services (DSS) for their safety. Let me tell you that even Ward and Local Government Congresses in some States, people lost their lives.
“But here we are in Akwa Ibom State conducting the congress as if we are in a church to take communion. Today I give glory to God for the peace in Akwa Ibom State. And this is because we are led by a true man of God who practices godliness in his heart.
“This is uncommon, this is unprecedented and it will go down in history as the first most peaceful congress in Nigeria. We will continue to support Governor Umo Eno. I can predict that even the coming elections in Akwa Ibom State, will be as peaceful as this congress.
“Akwa Ibom has continued to show leadership, Akwa Ibom has continued to show unity totally unprecedented. There is no single untowards incident throughout the Ward, Local Government and State congresses. Even old political foes have been reconciled today with this congress.”
Akpabio Commends Governor Umo Eno
In a voice vote, the party faithful pledged their support for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu, Senator Akpabio and Governor Eno.
In his remarks the Governor thanked the President of the Senate for his presence which he said had dignified the Congress. He thanked God for the peaceful conduct of the Ward, Local Government and State Congresses and pledged the support of the State for the administration of President Tinubu.
The Congress re-elected Obong Stephen Ntukekpo as the State Chairman to lead the State Executive Committee of the Party with a focus on unity and grassroots mobilization.
Oluremi Tinubu Sets To Unveils Akwa Ibom Elderly Citizens Centre
Oluremi Tinubu sets to unveils Akwa Ibom elderly citizens centre. The First Lady of Nigeria, Oluremi Tinubu, will on Saturday, March 7, 2026, inaugurate the Geriatric Centre in Akwa Ibom State, otherwise known as the ARISE Elderly Citizens Centre.
The facility, also referred to as the ARISE Senior Citizens Centre, is a purpose-built project initiated by Governor Umo Eno to provide comprehensive healthcare, recreation and social support services for elderly residents in the state.
Eno disclosed this during the March edition of the Government House Monthly Covenant Service on Sunday.
According to a statement from the Government House Press Unit, the commissioning of the centre, located along the Uyo–Ikot Ekpene Road on the Arise Medical Corridor, will be one of the highlights of the First Lady’s maiden official visit to the state.
The visit will also feature the grand finale of the ongoing women’s sensitisation and mobilisation tour.
Speaking on the project, Eno said the facility, which includes a health centre and relaxation spots, is specifically designed for senior citizens aged 65 years and above.
“The First Lady of our Nation, Senator Remi Bola Tinubu, will be here on Saturday, March 7, 2026, to inaugurate the Geriatric Centre, otherwise known as ARISE Elderly Citizens Centre.
He also disclosed that the state would take delivery of two new Airbus aircraft within the year and that several projects were ongoing at the Victor Attah International Airport ahead of the commencement of international flights scheduled for April.
Oluremi Tinubu
The governor further announced that the state had commenced the operation of a Treasury Single Account and directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies to comply fully, warning that his administration would not tolerate any default.
He urged residents to continue praying for the success of his administration, as well as for the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and President Bola Tinubu.
Earlier in his sermon titled “El-Shaddai,” drawn from 2 Corinthians 9:8, the Pastor-in-Charge of Region 14 of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Umar Idris Enoch, urged believers to trust in God in times of uncertainty, assuring them that divine purpose would ultimately prevail.
Akwa Ibom
Akwa Ibom Geriatric Centre Ready For Commissioning By First Lady Remi Tinubu, Says Governor Eno
Akwa Ibom Geriatric Centre Ready For Commissioning By First Lady Remi Tinubu, Says Governor Eno
Akwa Ibom geriatric centre ready for commissioning by first lady Remi Tinubu, says Governor Eno. .. says two new Airbus underway for Ibom Air.
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has said the State Geriatric Centre, otherwise called the ARISE Elderly Citizens Centre, will be commissioned by the nation’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Saturday March 7, 2026.
Speaking at the March edition of Government House monthly covenant service, the Governor said the commissioning of the centre located on the Arise Medical Corridor along Uyo – Ikot Ekpene Road, will be one of the major events of the First Lady’s first official visit to the State. The other will be the grand finale of the ongoing women sensitization and mobilisation tour.
Governor Eno noted that the facility, with a health centre, relaxation spots, will serve senior citizens, specifically those above 65 years.
He appreciated women of the state for their commitment to the sensitization/economic empowerment programme for women across the State, and extended the warm felicitations from the First Lady of Nigeria to them.
The Governor appreciated everyone who has created time to be part of the covenant service, saying that the State was embarking on quite a number of projects which requires fervent prayers for God’s guidance and divine speed.
Governor Eno also said the State was building a brand new jetty in Oron, as part of efforts to restore the city’s lost commercial glory.
He said the State was embarking on strategic projects across the three Senatorial District, disclosing that some preliminary works had commenced at the Ikot Ekpene International Market, and the main construction work will commence soon.
Governor Eno also announced that the State will take delivery of two new Airbus within the year, adding that different projects were ongoing at the Victor Attah International Airport ahead of the commencement of international flight in April.
He also said the State was running a Treasury Single Account (TSA), urging all Ministries, Departments and Agencies to comply as his administration would not tolerate any default.
While enumerating the numerous achievements of his administration, he said the greatest asset was the peace enjoyed across the State, and charged everyone to resist any individual or group attempt to truncate the peace.
Umo Eno
The Governor who expressed delight that the era of oath taking has passed with the new electoral law, which does not give room for any special delegate, announced the scheduling of the State Congress of the ruling All Progressives Congress, for Tuesday March 3, 2026, and called on everyone to take part in the exercise.
He reminded the congregation to continue to pray for the success of the administration, as well as for the Senate President of Nigeria, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and President Bola Tinubu.
Earlier in his message on the theme, “El-Shaddai,” drawn from 2 Corinthians 9:8, the Pastor-in-Charge of Region 14 of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Umar Idris Enoch, charged believers to trust in the Lord even in time of uncertainties, assuring that when a cause is rooted in God, there is nothing to fear.
He emphasized that divine purpose ultimately prevails, and that faith in El-Shaddai guarantees that the expectations of the righteous shall not be cut short.
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