Unity School Alumni Storm Akwa Ibom, Score Umo Eno High on Tourism Development

Members of the Unity Schools Old Students Association, USOSA, have embarked on a tour of key tourism, hospitality, technology and infrastructure projects in Akwa Ibom State with a verdict that Governor Umo Eno has performed more than they had envisaged.
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The delegation, made up of old students of Federal Government Colleges from across Nigeria, visited the Arise Palm Resort, Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, AKWA-GIS facilities and Security and Command Centre, as well as the newly completed Ibom International Hotel and other strategic projects, as part of activities marking the association’s 49th National Plenary in Uyo.

Led on the tour by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Research and Documentation, Dr Essien Ndueso, the visitors had an opportunity to see first-hand some of the infrastructure and investment projects shaping the State’s emerging tourism landscape.

A major point of attraction was the Arise Palm Resort, one of the flagship projects of the administration of Governor Umo Eno.

The resort, located in Uyo, is part of the State Government’s broader drive to position Akwa Ibom as a major tourism destination.

The project is also linked to the administration’s wider efforts at reclaiming erosion-affected land and converting it into productive infrastructure and tourism assets.

At the different locations, the visitors were taken through the facilities and the ideas behind the projects, with members of the delegation expressing excitement at the scale of development witnessed across the State.

Speaking during the tour, the Team Lead and Coordinator of the USOSA Akwa Ibom State Chapter, Dr. Imoh Ita, described the experience as one that challenged the expectations of many members of the delegation.

He said the excitement visible among members of the group was an indication that many of them were encountering a different picture of Akwa Ibom from what they had previously imagined.

“For many of us who came from different parts of Nigeria, what we have seen today is almost beyond what we imagined. You come with an idea of what a place looks like, and then you arrive and see these things physically for yourself. The excitement is written on the faces of our members.

Everywhere we have gone, people have been asking questions, taking pictures and expressing genuine amazement. It tells you that there is so much in Akwa Ibom that Nigerians need to see for themselves.”

Other members of the team said the tour was particularly significant because the USOSA gathering brought together Nigerians who had travelled from different parts of the country, creating an opportunity for the State to showcase its tourism and investment potential to a national audience.

He noted that tourism could serve as an avenue for people from other parts of Nigeria to discover the State beyond what they might have heard or read about it.

The delegation’s visit to the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium also offered the visitors an opportunity to see one of the State’s major sporting and tourism assets, while the tour of the AKWA-GIS and Security and Command Centre exposed them to the technology and administrative infrastructure supporting the State’s development efforts.

The visit to the Ibom International Hotel and the 5000 capacity Ibom International Convention Center complex further highlighted the State’s hospitality and entertainment ambitions.

The USOSA National Plenary, held under the theme “Fostering the Spirit of Pro Unitate: Advancing Unity, Leadership and Nation-Building in Nigeria,” brought together old students of Federal Government Colleges from across the country in Uyo.

For the visiting delegates, the tour offered more than sightseeing. It provided a direct opportunity to experience Akwa Ibom’s infrastructure, hospitality and tourism assets, while opening another channel for the State to showcase its attractions to visitors from across Nigeria.

The visit therefore added a practical dimension to the USOSA gathering allowing Nigerians from different parts of the country to see, experience and discuss Akwa Ibom beyond the conference venue.

During the tour, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Research and Documentation, Dr. Essien Ndueso, who led the delegation around the Arise Palm Resort, explained the thinking behind the Governor’s decision to turn a once erosion-destroyed area into a one stop leisure and business destination capable of attracting visitors, creating opportunities and contributing to the State’s tourism economy.

“What you are seeing here is a reflection of Governor Umo Eno’s vision of transforming challenges into opportunities.

“This was once an area ravaged by erosion, but the Governor saw beyond the challenge and envisioned a destination that could attract people, create economic opportunities and add value to the tourism potential of Akwa Ibom State. We want people from across Nigeria and beyond to come here, experience what Akwa Ibom has to offer and become ambassadors of the State wherever they go.”

Umo Eno

Dr. Ndueso further explained that the project formed part of the administration’s broader vision of developing strategic infrastructure and tourism assets that would position Akwa Ibom as a destination for leisure, investment and business.

The team was received at the Arise Palm Resort by Mr Thomas, Group Managing Director of Ibom Hospitality Management ltd, Mr Thomas who showed them round the tourism park.
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Governor Eno Flags Off 2026 Akwa Ibom Sports Festival, Pledges More Investment in Talent Development

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has flagged off the 2026 edition of the Akwa Ibom State Sports Festival, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to investing in sports as a platform for discovering, nurturing and promoting young talents.
Governor Eno stated this on Tuesday in Uyo during the opening ceremony of the festival, where he was represented by the Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi.
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The Governor described the State Sports Festival as an important platform for identifying emerging sporting talents, noting that athletes discovered during the 2025 edition went on to distinguish themselves at national and international competitions.

He assured young athletes in the state of continued government support, stressing the importance of creating opportunities for them to discover and develop their sporting abilities.

As part of the ceremony, Governor Eno honoured three Akwa Ibom athletes who won medals at the recent Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.

The honoured athletes are gold medallist Edidiong Umoafia and silver medallist Ruth Nyong, both in weightlifting, as well as bronze medallist Enku Ekuta, who competed in judo.
In another move aimed at strengthening grassroots sports development, the Governor directed the Commissioner for Sports to revive inter-house sports competitions in schools across the state.

According to him, the competitions would provide an avenue for discovering and developing new sporting talents.

“We must also invest in the future of sports. That is why I directed the Commissioner for Sports to revive inter-house sports competitions. This competition would help us to develop and discover new stars. We should revisit the good old days.”

Representing the Governor, the Deputy Governor also announced that the state government would soon award the contract for the construction of a Sports Academy in Eket.
She said the proposed academy would provide a structured environment for identifying, training and grooming sporting talents in the state.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, described Governor Eno as a sports-loving governor and commended him for approving the 2026 edition of the State Sports Festival.

Bassey recalled that the 2025 edition produced athletes who subsequently represented Nigeria at international competitions, including the Commonwealth Games, where they won medals.
He also commended the Governor for approving automatic employment in the Akwa Ibom State Civil Service for the athletes in recognition of their achievements.

In separate goodwill messages, the Chairman of Uyo Local Government Area and Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Hon. Uwemedimo Udo, alongside Supervisors for Sports from the various local government areas, pledged the support of the 31 local government councils towards the successful hosting of the festival.

Akwa Ibom Sports Festival

The opening ceremony featured a colourful march-past by contingents from the 31 local government areas, led by their respective council chairmen.

A total of 27 sporting disciplines are being contested by athletes representing the 31 local government areas, with competitions taking place at 10 designated venues within Uyo and its environs.
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Akwa Ibom Government Moves to Protect new Roads with Truck Toll

Governor Umo Eno has announced plans to introduce toll gates on newly constructed roads across Akwa Ibom State, targeting heavy-duty trucks while sparing regular motorists.
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The Governor made the disclosure during the commissioning of a 14.8 km internal road network and 1.9 km spur, complete with drainage, in Awa Onna Local Government Area, as part of activities marking Akwa Ibom State’s 39th anniversary.

Rural Road

According to the Governor, private cars will continue to enjoy free access to the roads, while heavy-duty trucks conveying goods and exerting greater wear on the infrastructure will be required to pay a toll fee.

He explained that the measure is designed to protect the newly built roads from excessive damage and generate funds for their continued maintenance, ensuring the investments remain in good condition for residents in the long run.
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