Akwa Ibom
How Umo Eno Set The Legacy Of The Worker’s Friendly Governor

How Umo Eno Set The Legacy Of The Worker’s Friendly Governor
How Umo Eno set the legacy of the worker’s friendly governor. It was Franklin D. Roosevelt, the 32nd President of the United States, who famously said, “The test of good government is its concern for the welfare of the people.” This is the guiding principle of Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State.
Living up to this strong commitment to put the people first, and in an intentional demonstration of people-centric leadership style, Governor Eno has introduced welfarist policies that place the administration in its true humanitarian mould. And workers in Akwa Ibom State are prime beneficiaries, including those who have retired from service.
From approving the new minimum wage of 80 thousand Naira to paying backlogs of benefits and empowering persons and sectors, the administration has solidified its reputation for prioritizing public service and fostering inclusive growth, and labour and favour are beyond pun and rhyme but synonymous in Akwa Ibom State. A plethora of evidence abounds.
Governor Umo Eno has not just approved the payment of a new minimum wage of N80,000 for public workers in Akwa Ibom, effective January 2025, he has done that with retrospective adjustments from November 2024. This monumental decision ensures that workers can meet their financial needs amidst rising economic pressures. This is a reflection of the welfarism disposition of the governor, deservingly earning him a workers-friendly governor.
Comrade Etido Solomon, a public affairs analyst, noted that, “In comparison to other states, Akwa Ibom’s new minimum wage places it in the top tier of worker-friendly states in Nigeria, surpassing the federal government’s benchmark of N70,000 and reflecting its commitment to worker welfare.” With this new N80,000 minimum wage, Akwa Ibom showcases Governor Umo Eno’s dedication to ensuring the financial well-being of public workers, securing its place as one of the leading worker-friendly states in Nigeria.
This joyous development follows the submission of a meticulous staff verification report by Elder Effiong Essien, the Head of Service, which was conducted to ensure transparency and eliminate discrepancies in the payroll system.
For Governor Eno, it is not just about paying the minimum wage, but about addressing the overall welfare of the people, including retired workers. He is demonstrated this commitment for the umpteenth time, never relenting in making workers happy, not tired of making retired workers excited.
Phoebe Samuel, an Uyo-based retired civil servant, stated, “ We have a Governor who is not looking at payment of pensions and gratuities as charity , but a right of retirees earned through years of dedicated service and sacrifice. He is a leader that values retirees and has demonstrated that that he is a son a public servant who worked , retired and often went through agonies of owed pensions and benefits”
Governor Eno clearly values retirees and is committed to their welfare. Little wonder that he has already paid N47 billion of the N97 billion backlog of gratuities and other entitlements owed to public workers, pledging to continue to offset further. This historic intervention brings relief to retirees and active public servants who had long awaited their dues.
By prioritizing these payments, the administration addresses decades-long grievances and restores trust in government, as well as making the civil service attractive, lucrative and rewarding.
Another remarkable gesture by Governor Umo Eno is the payment of N1.2 billion as wardrobe allowances for teachers in Akwa Ibom State . This initiative not only improves the working conditions of teachers but also underscores the Governor’s dedication to fostering education and empowering educators who shape the future of the state. His belief is that no society grows beyond its investment in the education sector. Hence, developing the infrastructure should be placed side by side with the welfare of teachers who are major stakeholders in the education sector.
To further boost morale and operational efficiency, the administration has provided Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) to all Permanent Secretaries in the state. This move equips senior officials with the necessary resources to perform their duties effectively, while also recognizing their invaluable contributions to the state’s development. This is a major spur to optimum productivity, which will be in the best interest of the State.
Pastor Eno’s administration continues to set a benchmark for worker-centric governance. By addressing critical issues such as wage increments, delayed entitlements, and improved welfare for educators and senior officials, the Governor has positioned Akwa Ibom as a model of effective leadership and an exemplar for good governance.
The Governor’s actions have been met with widespread acclaim from public workers, labour unions, and other stakeholders. Many have praised his administration for delivering on promises and implementing policies that significantly improve the quality of life for workers.
In the words of Ubong John, a teacher , “Governor Umo Eno has proven to be a leader who listens to the needs of his people. His policies have given us hope and confidence in the government.”

Umo Eno
The Pastor- Governor’s benevolence towards public workers in the State is a testament to his vision and love for the people .By approving one of the highest minimum wages in the country, payment of backlogs of benefits, empowering teachers, and providing essential tools to senior officials, his administration has set a new standard for governance.
As Akwa Ibom continues to reap the benefits of these initiatives, Governor Umo Eno’s legacy as a transformative and compassionate leader is solidified, earning him a place in the annals of the state’s history.
Post Script: Verification, Etal
The Payroll Verification exercise ordered by Governor Umo Eno revealed that out of 55,120 , 52.177 persons turned up. 2, 943 did not show up. From the verified numbers, 6, 193 have issues with the verification. So far, 45,984 have been cleared for payment of the new minimum wage with effect from November 1 , 2024.
Meanwhile, Governor UmonEno has given a grace of one month by extending the tenure of the verification committee to allow those who have had genuine reasons for not being available to show up whilst the pensions register is being verified and cleaned up.
There could not have been a better way for welfarism in him to find expression as a workers-friendly governor!
Akwa Ibom
Umo Eno Commissions Model school In Oron, Charges Shool Heads On Maintwnance Culture

Umo Eno Commissions Model school In Oron, Charges Shool Heads On Maintwnance Culture
Umo Eno commissions model school in Oron, charges shool heads on maintwnance culture and directs head teachers to live in school
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has charged heads of schools and other institutions to ensure preservation of government infrastructures within their custody and to ensure that the intended benefits of government investments in the sector are delivered to the targeted beneficiaries.
He also tasked headmasters and headmistresses of model primary schools built across the State to utilize the live-in facilities to enhance their care for the pupils, and protection of the facilities in line with the aspirations of his administration’s ARISE Agenda.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony of the Model Primary School, Uko-Oyukim in Oron Local Government Area, Governor Eno said a special education monitoring team was about to be activated to monitor the model schools, warning that any headteacher found not living on campus or whose school facilities are not well managed would be replaced.
He, therefore, tasked the Akwa Ibom State Infrastructure & Assets Management and Maintenance Agency to step up their vigilance over the educational facilities, adding that he was willing to bring to bear his private business experience as a hotelier, where he would work round the clock to ensure every guest enjoys utmost comfort, to make Akwa Ibom children receive the best from government investment in the education sector.
“Very soon, we are setting up education monitoring teams, and the team will help us ensure that all of these facilities are intact. They will monitor all these schools we are opening, from the washroom to the classrooms, all the facilities, the curriculum and of the work they are doing.
“The Headmasters or Headmistresses will also ensure that non of these facilities are destroyed. We must continue to maintain the standard. I am setting up a Governor’s Monitoring team, but they will work with the Honourable Commissioners to ensure that they give us the right information.
“If we come to your school, particularly our schools that are remodelled, and we find out that the standards are dropping, we will change the head Master or Mistress immediately.
If we come to the school and discover that you are not living on the school compound, we will send you back somewhere else.
“We can not use your money to put this edifice in place, only for it to go down in few months,” the Governor stated.
Speaking on behalf of Oron stakeholders, the Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, described the emergence of Governor Umo Eno as God’s blessing to Akwa Ibom State and particularly thanked the Governor for accepting to be used to extend God’s love to Oron people.
According to Senator Eyakenyi, Governor Umo Eno’s value for education which fueled his drive to pursue and obtain a PhD has been demonstrated in his identification of primary education as being fundamentally imperative and therefore investing in giving Akwa Ibom children a good start up.

Umo Eno Commissions
The Commissioner for Education, Professor Ubong Umoh, presenting an overview of the project, commended Governor Umo Eno’s model primary school initiative, maintaining that such underscores his administration’s dedication to transforming the educational landscape thereby fostering academic excellence and social development.
He said the Uko-Oyukim Model Primary School, designed to accommodate 495 pupils in 19 fully furnished classrooms on a 25:1 pupils to teacher ratio, was fully equipped with library, early childcare development facilities, solar-powered ICT laboratory, modern sick bay, spacious auditorium, dedicated staff quarters, seperate gender-specific sanitary facilities, with comprehensive human kinetic facilities that enhances education and sports development.
Pupils of the school, little Miss Happiness Antai and Master Godwin Asuquo, conveyed the feelings of the school community through a special address and a ballad which expressed the gratitude of the pupils, teachers and their parents to the Governor for the kind gesture he has extended to them through the state-of-the-art facilities.
Akwa Ibom
Umo Eno Flags Off Oron Maritime Hub Project, Sets Deadline For Completion

Umo Eno Flags Off Oron Maritime Hub Project, Sets Deadline For Completion
Umo Eno flags off Oron maritime hub project, sets deadline for completion. The reconstruction of the Oron Marine Jetty, an aquatic produce commercial hub, ferry terminal and leisure resort, will be completed by September this year.
The project which is meant to rekindle sea line trade activities and reinvigorate the ease of marine transport services in the coastal area, was flagged off on Wednesday by Governor Umo Eno at the Oron.
Performing the ground breaking exercise, Governor Eno said the project currently provides daily jobs for over a thousand locals here and appealed for support to the initiative.
“You can be rest assured that we will fulfill our part of the bargain to the contractor. And we look forward to coming here between August and September, because we want to wait to receive the ferry, so that we can commission all on the same day. I’d like to take that ferry to Calabar that day, and also come back.”
“We will not have the financial muscle to construct railways without the support of the federal government, but we will construct our waterways, put ferries on the waterways, and that will be our pride and our joy.
Governor Eno lauded Rear Admiral Etop Ebe, Superintendent of the Naval Shipyard, Port Harcourt for his commitment to the realization of the first passenger cruise ferry for the Jetty, saying that contract for the second ferry will soon be awarded.
The Governor added that, “the Nigeria Navy is going to train about 15 engineers that will ensure that they man the workshop so that we can have proper maintenance.”
He said it was divinity that has brought Admiral Ebe to head the Nigerian Naval shipyard at this time.
“And you know that being a son of the soil, God has given you the opportunity to put your name and signature in gold, that you were part of this project.”
Governor Eno described the project as the turning around of the economic fortunes of the people of Oron Federal Constituency, in line with his campaign promises.
Recounting his other projects in the federal constituency to include the ongoing 14.5 kilometers Nsit Atai-Okopedi dual carriage road, handled by HENSEk, the 11 kilometer Oron-Uya Oro Road, handled by Amitec, the Unyenge Road, that leads to the seaport, the Effiong Esang and Ukpong Streets and the 2.9 kilometer Road in Urue Offong/Oroko Local Government Area, which was commissioned last year.
“With your support, we will do more, because we are determined to take development to every nook and crannies of our state. And we are determined to ensure that we end the rural – urban migration.
“That’s why we’re developing all of these rural communities. So please, I’d like to appeal to the youths, to please continue to cooperate with the contractor, so we can finish this project on time.”
“While we know that the federal government will come to our aid, and continue to support us in railways, in highways, and will also support us in our quest for the Ibom Deep seaport, and support us to also get money to work on our ecological site.”
The deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi who lauded the Governor for his love to her people recounted that in the past, Oron was known for being an economic nerve center in the country.
Mrs Eyakenyi maintained that the marine project will catapult the area back to its past glory.
The project contractor and Managing Director of JMK Construction Company Limited, Mr Faysal Harb thanked the Governor for the confidence in his ability and promised to complete the project in the next six months.

Umo Eno
The Commissioner for Works, Prof. Eno Ibanga, gave an overview of the project to have steel shore protections, four jetties, a terminal, cool room, and warehouse, a 5,500-square-meter car park that will accommodate at least 200 cars with internal road networks and a recreational center that will attract tourists, with 100% security guaranteed.
Prof. Ibanga thanked the Governor for initiating the project, assuring that he is working closely with the Delivery Advisor Mr. Orman Esin to ensure its timely completion.
Former Commissioner of Transport, Orman Esin, who is the delivery advisor for the project, and the clan head of Idua, Chief Asuquo, appreciated the Governor at the event while Rear Admiral Ebe who commended the Governor for deliberately setting out to develop the entire State, promised to deliver the passenger ferry as required.
Highpoint of the event was a vote of confidence unanimously adopted on the Governor, following a motion moved by House of Representatives Member for the federal Constituency, Hon. Martin Esin, and seconded by Hon. Kenim Onofiok, House of Assembly member for the area.
Akwa Ibom
Akwa Ibom Senator Applauds Umo Eno On A.R.I.S.E Entrepreneurial Equipment Support Scheme

Akwa Ibom Senator Applauds Umo Eno On A.R.I.S.E Entrepreneurial Equipment Support Scheme
Akwa Ibom Senator applauds Umo Eno on A.R.I.S.E entrepreneurial equipment support scheme. Senator Aniekan Bassey of the Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District has commended Governor Umo Eno on the successful launch of the A.R.I.S.E Entrepreneurial Equipment Support Scheme.
Describing the initiative as a groundbreaking effort to empower small businesses, the distinguished Senator emphasized its potential to boost productivity and create sustainable job opportunities across Akwa Ibom State.
Speaking with newsmen on Tuesday, Senator Bassey lauded Governor Eno’s commitment to human capital development through strategic empowerment schemes, maintaining that the A.R.I.S.E Agenda is a transformative blueprint for economic growth.
According to Senator Bassey, “the newly launched scheme, which provides essential business equipment to budding entrepreneurs, will significantly enhance small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs), fostering innovation and self-reliance among citizens.”
Speaking further, the Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial Senator further emphasized that he has, through his pet project, the RHAB-YESS Foundation, aligned his empowerment initiatives with the A.R.I.S.E Agenda to complement the Governor’s vision.
He reiterated his dedication to supporting entrepreneurship and economic development in Akwa Ibom State, particularly in areas of youth and women empowerment.

Akwa Ibom Empowerment
“Governor Umo Eno’s A.R.I.S.E Entrepreneurial Equipment Support Scheme is a testament to his administration’s commitment to grassroots economic development. This initiative will undoubtedly provide small business owners with the necessary tools to enhance productivity and contribute meaningfully to the state’s economy.
Through RHAB-YESS Foundation, we will continue to play our part in supporting young entrepreneurs and ensuring the success of this noble vision,” Senator Bassey stated.
He urged beneficiaries of the scheme to make the most of the opportunity by leveraging the equipment received to expand their businesses, create employment, and contribute to the overall economic advancement of the state.
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