Akwa Ibom
Umo Eno Fix Date For Federal Constituency Town Hall Meeting In Akwa Ibom
Umo Eno Fix Date For Federal Constituency Town Hall Meeting In Akwa Ibom
Umo Eno fix Date for federal constituency town hall meeting in Akwa Ibom. On Saturday, March 8, 2025, Abak Local Government will have the honour of hosting Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno and his entourage as the Governor’s proposed Town Hall Meeting to be held on the basis of federal Constituency, kicks off with the maiden edition in Abak federal Constituency, comprising Abak, Etim Ekpo and Ika LGA’s.
The purpose is to create a platform where the state government can present its scorecard to the people of the federal Constituency and seek their opinion based on their NEEDS Assessment on what they want the government to do for them through the instrumentality of the 2026 budget.
Modern democracy, it must be noted is a communicative pulpit between the leaders on one hand and the people on the other hand. This is why the concept of frequent interface is crucial to help build trust, confidence and acceptability. This explains why plans by the Umo Eno led administration to commence the hosting of Town Hall Meetings across the 10 Federal Constituencies in the state is commendable.
Starting from March 8, 2025, the government will be hosting these Town Hall series across the 10 Federal Constituencies in the state which are; Abak Federal Constituency, Ikot Ekpene Federal Constituency, Uyo Federal Constituency, Itu/Ibiono Federal Constituency and Etinan Federal Constituency
Others include Oruk Anam/Ukanafun Federal Constituency, Ikon/Ini Federal Constituency, Oron Federal Constituency, Eket federal Constituency and Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency.
Historically, the first Town Halls were held by the Greeks thousands of years ago as a way to give citizens a voice and a role in government. Today, the core principle of a Town Hall remains the same- Participation.
Town hall meetings are a key component of democratic governance. They are an opportunity for leaders and the people to come together as a team, engage in open conversation, and share updates, successes, and any concerns that have cropped up along the way. It is a chance where policy announcements are made, updates shared, and for open dialogue and conversation to be had.
A town hall meeting is a public meeting where community members come together to discuss and address various topics of interest or concern. It is a forum for open dialogue and engagement between the community and their representatives or government.
Town Hall Meetings helps facilitate direct communication, promote transparency, foster civic participation, provides an opportunity for community members to express their opinions, ask questions, share ideas, and provide feedback on issues that affect their lives and the community as a whole.
Town hall meetings can cover a wide range of topics, such as local governance, public policies, community development, social issues, public safety, infrastructure, education, and more. They are often organized by governmental bodies, elected officials, or community organizations to gather input, gather consensus, or disseminate information to the public.
Town hall meetings are always moderated to ensure that the discussion stays focused, allows equal participation, and maintains respectful dialogue. Participants can typically ask questions, raise concerns, propose solutions, or share personal experiences related to the topics under discussion. Sometimes, experts or panelists may be invited to provide insights and expertise on specific subjects.
Overall, town hall meetings serve as a platform for democratic engagement, encouraging community involvement, and fostering a sense of shared responsibility and collaboration in addressing local issues.
Back home, as far as Governor Umo Eno is concerned, gone are the days politicians sit in Uyo and influence what goes into the budget whether they are relevant to the needs of the people or not.
One of the major takeaways of the proposed Town Hall Meeting is that the Governor in his determined effort to chart a new course that clearly depart from the past, has returned power back to the people, by adopting the bottom-top approach where the NEEDS of the people as demanded for by the people themselves will form the basis, foundation and guiding principle in preparing the 2026 Akwa Ibom State budget.
That way, from the outcome of these Town Hall Meetings, next years budget will take into account the local peculiarities of the people because what affects the people of Essien Udim LGA, may not be a priority to the people of Ikot Ekpene Udo, in Nsit Ubium LGA, or those residing in the fishing communities in Oron or the rice farmlands of ni LGA or the marginal oil fields of Ibeno in LGA.
The philosophy behind Governor Umo Eno’s proposed Town hall meetings are embedded in its ability to situate everyone within the wider picture, thus ultimately building a sense of community and camaraderie within the political ecosystem because the Governor believes that these Town Hall convergence is a form of participatory democracy model where the citizens can have the power to influence policy decisions.
The convergence emphasizes the broad participation of Akwa Ibom people in the politics of the state with an anticipated outcome that will be used as a tool to address some of the issues that are impacting people’s lives because as far as the Governor is concerned, in order to acknowledge the relevance of public opinion, civic engagement or citizen engagement town hall meetings should be introduced at the federal constituency level to promote transparency and openness.
Umo Eno
The Advantages of the Proposed Town Hall Meetings include; Team spirit and community, boosted motivation,.open dialogue, citizens buy-in, innovation and collective decision making, among others.
Governor Umo Eno believes no one has the monopoly of knowledge and given their local knowledge and lived experiences, a community can have a more accurate perspective on an issue than the government, thus participatory democracy which a Town Hall setting represents gives government and policymakers the opportunity to listen more broadly to the community, gather more information and come up with more robust and resilient solutions.
In order for participatory democracy to work, the ability to shape the future needs to become baked into the community’s psyche.
Governments need to create space for citizens and organizations to voice their opinions while demonstrating effective outcomes to the community so that they trust that their input makes a positive difference.
Governments need to engage people in decisions consistently, considering who needs to be involved, for what purpose, and at what level. Representative groups also need to be given the tools to understand the content of the debate and given equal access through a variety of engagement methods to express their views. These are what the Town hall meetings seeks to achieve.
In the end, these Town Hall meetings will help the Akwa Ibom State Government in information dissemination, alignment of citizens needs with government’s projections, serve as morale building mechanism, foster better relations between the government and the people at the grassroot, serve as a platform for empowerment, enhance inclusion, help build trust, Increase transparency and accountability, foster unity and peace and above all, help gauge and monitor the mood of the people on policy impact and guide government to evaluate its programmes and policies.
Akwa Ibom Governor Pledges Commitment To Tourism, Blue Economy Development
Akwa Ibom governor pledges commitment to tourism, blue economy development… commends Editi Effiong for projecting State’s tourism potentials
As part of his effort to encourage tourism and enhance the State’s blue economy, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to encourage and reward young professionals who are willing to collaborate with his administration in promoting the positive image of the State through the ARISE Agenda.
The Governor made this known while fielding questions from Government House correspondents shortly after embarking on inspection of a locale of a movie, “The Black Book 2” (Old Scores), at Ishiet Beach/Market in Uruan Local Government Area.
He commended the movie Producer and Director, Mr. Editi Effiong, for his talent, vision, inspiration, and creative ability to project the tourism potentials and boost the economy of the State.
Governor Eno charged young Akwa Ibomites to shun divisive tendencies, be inspired, and emulate the creative effort of successful Akwa Ibom sons and daughters by joining hands to develop the tourism and blue economy of the State.
“The impression is amazing, seeing that we have one of our own trying to pull the world down here.
“I would love to thank and encourage him, and to let our young people see that Akwa Ibom has what it takes to drag the world’s attention.
“It depends on what you see. Someone can see this place and write one story about a swamp that has been abandoned and make all the noise. Another person sees this place and makes a great movie out of it that will market this place to the world and is able to attract the attention because of the work he has done here,” he said.
The State Chief Executive pledged his encouragement, support, and collaboration with Editi and other young Akwa Ibomites to enable them rise to the zenith of their calling.
“We are going to work with him. Editi is a young man I have known very well. This is one thing I say to our people in the diaspora, let’s partner. Come back home, whatever you see out there, bring it back here, and let’s work together.
“I think that is the story, and I am really impressed. If you know the number of people that have visited this State in the course of this film, the talents, and the caliber of artists that have been here, then this young man deserves an award and our support,” he added.
Ibom Deep SeaPort
On his part, the movie Producer and Director, Effiong, appreciated Governor Eno for his visionary leadership and passion for tourism development.
He expressed gratitude to the Governor for creating a hospitable and tourism friendly ecosystem to enhance talent exploration through the provision of good road network and quality modern facilities which distinguished the State as one of the most treasured locations in the country.
BREAKING: International Flight Operation – A New Dawn For Akwa Ibom
BREAKING: International flight operation – a new dawn for Akwa Ibom. On a bright Friday morning, a chartered plane descends smoothly onto the runway of Victor Attah International Airport in Uyo. For the first time in years, the airport, upgraded to international standards, welcomes travellers from abroad directly, without the need for cumbersome stop overs. As the passengers step out, they are greeted by warm sunshine, gentle coastal breezes and the promise of adventure in a land long admired but rarely visited.
Among them is Anna, a tourist from Europe curious about Nigeria’s lesser known treasures. She has booked a flight because she read about Akwa Ibom’s serene beaches, rich culture, and vibrant hospitality scene. With her suitcase in hand and camera ready, she hails a cab to the coast, to a place called Ibeno Beach, reputed to be the longest stretch of natural sandy beach in the country.
Elsewhere, a business traveller couple from Asia arrives at night, thanks to the recently restored night flight capability of the airport. The lights of Uyo’s cityscape welcome them. Their plan is not merely tourism. They come to explore opportunities in real estate, hospitality investments and marine port projects, drawn by Akwa Ibom’s emerging infrastructure and connectivity.
Discovering Hidden Treasures, Tourism Blossoms
With the ease of direct access, people like Anna are no longer daunted by complicated travel itineraries. They can touch down in Uyo and in a few hours find themselves sunbathing on Ibeno Beach, exploring mangrove lined creeks, savouring local cuisine, and attending cultural events.
Local hotels and resorts, some recently built, others simply refurbished, begin to fill up. Tour operators, boat ride operators, souvenir craftsmen, local guides and transport drivers see a sudden surge in demand. Families book weekend getaways. Young couples go for romantic beach walks. International guests craving unique tropical culture find themselves drawn to the forested hills, water side villages, and warm hospitality of the people.
Small businesses flourish. The souvenir making artisans produce hand woven crafts, traditional garments and artworks. Restaurants serve local dishes to foreigners curious about Nigerian coastal cuisine. Tour guides offer boat rides, ecotourism treks, historical site tours and even visits to old missionary sites and cultural villages.
From Tourism to Revenue, Jobs and Infrastructure
The inflow of travellers brings tangible income. Payment for airport services, landing fees, tourism taxes, hotel fees, tour operator commissions, local transport fares, dining and souvenirs. The government begins to record increased revenue from airport operations and tourism related levies.
At the same time, businesses spring up to meet the rising demand. New hotels, resorts, restaurants and tour agencies. This creates jobs for hotel staff, cooks, guides, drivers, artisans, maintenance staff, security personnel and many others. Local youth find employment in hospitality and related services.
Investors, seeing the rising interest and improved connectivity, start funding larger infrastructure projects. Roads to beach areas are improved. Leisure facilities, resorts, waterfront promenades and small marinas are built. With increased financial inflows, the state government reinvests into public infrastructure. Roads, electricity, waste management and beautification receive attention.
Having a modern internationally connected airport also strengthens Akwa Ibom’s appeal for trade and logistics. With proposed harbour or deep sea port developments on the horizon, the state is gradually transforming into an integrated logistics and tourism hub.
A Story of Renewal and Possibility
By opening its skies, Akwa Ibom changes from a hard to reach but beautiful coast to a must visit destination with easy access. People like Anna now tell their friends about their unforgettable beach holiday. Business minded visitors arrive to explore investment opportunities. Local entrepreneurs seize new markets.
The result is more jobs, improved livelihoods, rising incomes and increasing state revenue. The revenue helps fund roads, public utilities, coastal development and improvements to public facilities. Over time, the state becomes more prosperous and more vibrant, tourism and commerce leading to real, visible transformation.
International Flight
Why This Matters. Beyond the Story
Analysis shows that airport infrastructure, such as direct international flights, is strongly correlated with socio economic growth, increased tourism, employment and income generation.
With the recent approval for international operations at Victor Attah International Airport, the capacity to bring in foreign visitors without major transit delays is now achievable.
The resetting of night flight operations adds flexibility to travel schedules, boosting the attractiveness for both leisure and business travellers.
The state’s broader plan under the ARISE Agenda envisions tourism and hospitality as major pillars for economic diversification, lessening reliance on oil revenues.
Governor Umo Eno Secures Federal Approval For International Airport Operations
Governor Umo Eno secures federal approval for international airport operations. The Federal Government has approved the commencement of full international flight operations at the Victor Attah International Airport in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
The approval was granted on Thursday during a meeting in Abuja between Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno and the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.
The development places the airport among the few in Nigeria authorised to process international passenger traffic. It is expected to boost regional connectivity, strengthen tourism, stimulate business activity and attract greater foreign investment into the state.
With the new status, the airport will be able to receive international carriers, operate cross-border flights and function as a direct gateway between Akwa Ibom and destinations across Africa and beyond. Full international operations are projected to begin in the first quarter of 2026.
Governor Umo Eno Secures Federal Approval For International Airport Operations
Governor Eno, who has been pursuing the upgrade through sustained engagement with federal authorities, described the approval as a major step forward for the state.
His administration has positioned Akwa Ibom as an emerging aviation hub, driven partly by the expansion of airport infrastructure and the growth of the state-owned airline.
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