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.
World Teachers’ Day: Governor Umo Eno Declares October 5 Teaching-Free Day in Akwa Ibom
The Akwa Ibom State Government, in collaboration with the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Akwa Ibom State Wing, has declared Monday, October 5, 2026, a teaching-free day across the state to enable teachers to participate fully in the 2026 World Teachers’ Day celebration.
Eereporter.com
The special celebration will take place at the Uyo Township Stadium by 11:00 a.m., with the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, Ph.D., as the Special Guest of Honour.
The event will be held under the theme: “Standing with Teachers: 60 Years of Protecting the Profession, Advancing its Status and Shaping our Futures.”
According to the state government, all public primary and secondary schools across Akwa Ibom will be closed on Monday to allow teachers from the 31 Local Government Areas to attend the celebration.
The government said the occasion would provide an opportunity to honour and appreciate teachers for their contributions to education, human capital development and the overall progress of the state.
It also reaffirmed the commitment of the Umo Eno-led administration to improving teachers’ welfare, professional development, dignity and working conditions.
The government highlighted its interventions in school infrastructure, teacher recruitment and development, human capital development, teachers’ welfare and the provision of conducive learning environments.
Umo Eno
It described education as a major pillar of the ARISE Agenda, stressing that teachers remain central to the success of the education system and the development of the next generation.
The state government also commended the Nigerian Union of Teachers for its partnership in promoting industrial harmony, professional excellence and the dignity of the teaching profession in Akwa Ibom.
The government called on teachers, education stakeholders, parents, students and members of the public to join in celebrating teachers and recognising their contributions to the development of Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria.
Eereporter.com
Gov Eno Flags Off Ikot Ekpene International Market, Targets Trade, Jobs, Economic Growth
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has officially unveiled the design and performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the Ikot Ekpene International Market, describing the project as a strategic investment in trade, employment and economic development.
Eereporter.com
The ceremony, held on Wednesday, September 30, as part of activities marking the 39th anniversary of Akwa Ibom State, took place in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area.
Speaking at the event, Governor Eno said the project demonstrated his administration’s commitment to delivering tangible infrastructure across the state.
He recalled earlier questions from the opposition regarding the number and location of the 39 projects promised as part of the anniversary activities.
“When we first started, the opposition asked, ‘Where are the 39 projects?’
“Today, we can gladly tell them to come and see,” the Governor said.
Governor Eno explained that the project was not merely about constructing a market but about investing in the economic future of Akwa Ibom State.
“Today, we are not just laying a foundation or turning the sod for this market; we are laying a foundation for prosperity, building infrastructure for opportunities, and creating a platform upon which our traders, entrepreneurs, artisans, manufacturers, and young people can build their dreams,” he said.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Captain Iniobong Ekong (Rtd.), said the project reflected the administration’s efforts to position Akwa Ibom as a hub for trade, tourism and industrialisation.
According to him, the first phase of the market comprises 30 blocks of double-deck structures containing 108 shops, alongside two warehouses, restaurants, cold rooms, a police station, asphalt and concrete roads.
Ekong said the strategic location of the market would attract traders and customers from neighbouring states and beyond, particularly Cross River, Abia and Rivers states, as well as Cameroon.
“Upon completion, this market is going to generate income and revenue, create employment, and connect us with the trade hubs of the Gulf of Guinea,” he said.
The Director-General of Campaigns, Ambassador Chief Assam Assam (SAN), commended Governor Eno for initiating the project, noting that its strategic location would make it accessible to communities across the state.
He recalled the Governor’s earlier promise to establish an international market in Ikot Ekpene, describing the project as the fulfilment of that commitment.
“I remember that the Governor was in Ikot Ekpene Stadium when he said he was going to build an international market in Ikot Ekpene. This market is this Governor’s dream child,” Assam said.
Speaking on behalf of stakeholders in the area, Senator Emmanuel Ibokessien said the project was conceived by the people of Ikot Ekpene in 2010 but remained unrealised through successive administrations.
He commended Governor Eno for actualising the project.
“This project started in 2010 when it was conceived by the people of Ikot Ekpene. And through three administrations, this project did not see the light of day, but when you came with the finisher’s anointing, this project is now actualised,” he said.
Earlier, the Chairman of Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area, Hon. Elder Aniefiok Nkom, expressed appreciation to Governor Eno for commencing the long-awaited project.
Nkom recalled previous discussions on the economic importance of the market, noting that its location was expected to redirect commercial traffic and attract traders who ordinarily travel to other commercial centres.
He described the Governor as “a man of his word,” saying the people of Ikot Ekpene were excited by the commencement of the project.
Ikot Ekpene International Market
The Paramount Ruler of Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area, His Royal Majesty, Okuku Okon Udo Ukut, also expressed gratitude to the Governor, describing the project as a significant development for the area.
Upon completion, the Ikot Ekpene International Market is expected to strengthen commercial activities, create employment opportunities and expand Akwa Ibom State’s trade links with neighbouring states and the wider Gulf of Guinea region.
Eereporter.com
2026 NECO: Akwa Ibom Government Rejects ‘False’ Ranking, Says 83 Centres’ Results Pending
The Akwa Ibom State Government has dismissed as false and misleading a report circulating on social media which purportedly ranked the state among the lowest-performing states in the 2026 National Examinations Council (NECO) results.
Eereporter.com
The State Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Umanah, said the report was based on a performance chart that did not represent the official data released by NECO.
Umanah explained that although NECO released the 2026 examination results on September 24, 2026, the performance chart published by Premium Times was not an official NECO document, contrary to the impression created by the publication.
According to the Commissioner, while the published chart placed Abia, Ebonyi and Ekiti States first, second and third respectively, the official NECO data identifies Kano, Lagos and Oyo States as the first, second and third-ranked states.
He further disclosed that NECO was yet to release the results of 83 out of the 214 examination centres operated by public schools in Akwa Ibom State.
He said the examination body was still completing the sorting and verification of the statutory accreditation status of the affected centres.
Umanah therefore described any attempt to rank or assess the overall performance of Akwa Ibom at this stage as premature, noting that the outstanding results could affect the state’s final performance assessment.
The Commissioner urged media organisations to exercise greater diligence when reporting examination statistics, particularly where official results are still being processed.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the administration of Governor Umo Eno to the development of education, noting that the sector remains a major priority under the ARISE Agenda.
Umanah said the 2026 Approved Budget provides more than ₦35 billion for education, while ₦5.9 billion has been released to the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) for basic education intervention projects for 2025 and 2026.
He added that the state government had continued to construct model primary schools across the state to provide pupils with conducive learning environments.
According to him, the government has also paid bursaries to students and covered examination fees for candidates sitting for Placement Examinations, the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) examinations and the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
Beyond infrastructure and institutional support, Umanah said Governor Umo Eno had continued to provide direct assistance to young people pursuing higher education.
He cited the Governor’s recent approval of full overseas tuition support for a young graduate to pursue a master’s degree abroad, as well as an earlier scholarship awarded to a young law graduate from the Government Children’s Home to enable her pursue a master’s degree overseas.
The Commissioner said the interventions demonstrated the administration’s commitment to expanding access to quality education and creating opportunities for young Akwa Ibom people to pursue their academic and professional aspirations.
Umo Eno
Umanah consequently urged members of the public to disregard the Premium Times publication and similar claims based on the purported performance chart, stressing that they do not reflect the official NECO data currently available.
He advised the public to rely on verified and authoritative sources, particularly information released by NECO, for accurate updates on the 2026 examination results.
Eereporter.com
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