Akwa Ibom
Umo Eno’s Full Speech At Swearing-In Of New Commissioners, Special Advisers

Umo Eno’s Full Speech At Swearing-In Of New Commissioners, Special Advisers
Umo Eno’s full speech at swearing-in of new commissioners, special advisers into the state executive council, February 24th, 2025 at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Uyo.
PROTOCOL
1. Let me, on behalf of the Government and people of Akwa Ibom State, congratulate the newly sworn-in Commissioners/Special Advisers, who are now members of the State Executive Council.
Again, let me send my special thanks and appreciation to the Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Honourable Udeme Otong, and the Honourable members for the speedy screening and clearance of the then nominees, who are now our brand-new Honourable Commissioners.
2. Permit me to also use this opportunity to express our profound gratitude once again to the members of the immediate past Executive Council for their service to the State. You came, you did your part, and we will remain eternally grateful for your contributions to the development of our State.
3. To the newly sworn-in Commissioners, you have been privileged to be selected out of the 7.9 million people of this blessed State to provide service to your State.
Let me again reemphasize that your selection was the sole prerogative of the Governor, and this was based primarily on your proven capacities and ability to get the job done—not on ethnic or primordial considerations. Your loyalty, therefore, is to the Governor and to the State.
4. This EXCO can be rightly referred to as: THE EXCO OF CONSOLIDATION AND EXPANSION – a Joseph’s Team. Like Joseph, you have been handed a vision as contained in our Arise Agenda. You are to work collaboratively to interpret and deliver on those key planks of our governance blueprint for the betterment of our people and State. Teamwork, unity, and passion are the ingredients we require from you.
5. In 2 Kings 4:38–41, the power of working together and looking out for the mistakes of others, so the common good and fidelity to causes higher than ours can be achieved, is again illustrated.
A near-fatal error by way of accidental poisoning of the meal prepared for collective consumption by one of the sons of the prophet was discovered. Prophet Elisha, showing strong leadership and team spirit, found a solution to what could have been a fatal meal by adding flour to the poisoned meal. That singular solution restored the meal and the lives of the prophets, and the collective good was achieved.
6. The above biblical story illustrates what the spiritual and psychological underpinnings of this EXCO are all about. This EXCO, therefore, must be shaped by love, teamwork, unity of purpose, and the spirit of oneness—carrying each other along as partners rather than adversaries and being very observant so that we do not allow one person to destroy collective attainment.
7. You are to look for solutions and not engage in blame games while also working to tighten weak links and encourage deeper team spirit for the overall success of the team.
8. We have a blueprint, the ARISE Agenda, which in concrete and precise layers contains our dream for the development of our State. Your role, like Joseph, is to help further interpret the dream and vision by working collaboratively to prepare our State and people for years of continuous economic growth and prosperity.
9. This is not a War Cabinet but a Delivery Cabinet. The central and defining element of this EXCO is unity of purpose, teamwork, and positive collaborations to deliver on our campaign promises. Commit this to memory and project it in all your engagements, and you will have a smooth time as EXCO members!
10. Let me again state unambiguously that I am a man of peace and not of confrontation. I say what I mean, and I mean what I say. I do not have ‘body language.’ You must work to maintain the peace we have enjoyed here by showing utmost respect to our elders and leaders.
You have not been appointed as Commissioners to ignite unnecessary fights with your leaders at the Local Government, State, or Federal levels. Our dream and desire is to continue keeping Akwa Ibom an oasis of peace and tranquility, where investors and tourists will continue to come, live, and thrive.
11. The budget has been passed, and the projects to be executed carefully outlined. We don’t have the benefit of time—we are in a hurry to deliver solid democratic dividends in line with the Arise Agenda. Excuses and tardiness will not be entertained.
12. We have created Delivery Units and will soon appoint Delivery Advisors, in line with international best practices. These Advisors will ensure that projects are executed within specific timelines.

Commissioners, Special Advisers
I will personally chair the meetings of the Project Delivery Team twice a month to review ongoing projects and ensure their timely completion. The Delivery Advisors will report to the Chief Delivery Advisor and Executive Assistant to the Governor.
13. In twenty months, we have achieved a lot:
• Revolution in the agricultural sector
• One project per local government initiative
• Improvements in primary healthcare
• World-class model primary schools
• 174 Arise Compassionate Homes completed (out of 400 planned)
• ₦47 billion paid out of ₦98 billion in inherited gratuity backlog
• Economically viable road infrastructure expansion
• New CRJ 909 Bombardier aircraft added to Ibom Air
• 30 major projects planned in the next one year (tourism, road construction, healthcare, education, SME support, etc.)
14. We will commence our Statewide Town Hall and Empowerment Series on March 8, 2025, starting with Abak Federal Constituency. This will help integrate community needs into the People’s Budget for 2026.
We will also provide empowerment schemes:
• 65 businesses per local government to receive equipment support
• ₦2 billion Farmers Grant
• ₦2 billion Traders Grant
• Small Business Grants for local entrepreneurs
15. This EXCO includes a large number of our youths, further showing our commitment to supporting and mentoring the next generation.
16. Our young people, especially in engineering and construction, have been awarded multi-billion-naira projects because they showed capacity.
We have created young millionaires, and we remain committed to creating more opportunities for those who demonstrate competence.
17. As these young people have thrived in infrastructure development, I expect our newly inaugurated Honourable Commissioners to be the voice of their generation in governance.
18. Politics is local. I expect you to celebrate your appointments in your wards—not in Uyo. Your impact must be felt at the grassroots.
19. Only the Honourable Commissioner for Information and my Chief Press Secretary are authorized to issue official press statements.
20. Your job starts now—go and get it done!
Congratulations once again, and Godspeed!
Akwa Ibom
Umo Eno Is Committed To Blue Economy, Maritime Development: Oil , Gas

Umo Eno Is Committed To Blue Economy, Maritime Development: Oil , Gas
Umo Eno is committed to blue economy, maritime development: Oil , Gas . Akwa Ibom Oil and Gas Professionals have been assured of the commitment of the state government to harnessing the potentials of the blue economy and the extensive maritime development.
The Commissioner for Special Duties and Ibom Deep Sea Port, Comrade Ini Ememobong, reiterated the commitment of the state government to harnessing the potentials when he hosted members of the Akwa Ibom Oil and Gas Professionals to a courtesy call in his office on Thursday, March 13.
He said the recent commissioning of the Surge Protections project and development of Surge lines in Oron, was a demonstration of Governor Umo Eno’s dedication to maritime development, emphasising that the action would bring greater focus on maritime transport and recreation in the area.
Highlighting the significance of the Ibom Deep Seaport, which he described as a foundation for future development, Comrade Ememobong acknowledged the importance of a collaboration between the Ministry and the maritime oil and gas professionals and assured them of his readiness to work together with them, in order to drive growth and development in the maritime sector so as to achieve the long-term objectives of the state in the maritime sector.
The Commissioner stated that the industrial city envisioned by the Governor aims to build indigenous capacity and ensure local participation in its development, saying, “This is where the local content law comes into play, requiring that a certain percentage of the project’s workforce, services, and materials be sourced locally.”
“To activate this law, however, there needs to be available capacity among local individuals and businesses.
This is why His Excellency has prioritised capacity procurement, which ensures that the necessary skills and resources are in place before project execution begins. By doing so, the government can guarantee that local communities are well-prepared to take advantage of the opportunities arising from the industrial city’s development,” he emphasised.
Comrade Ememobong seized the occasion to commend the technical committee, led by Mrs. Mfon Usoro, in driving the Ibom Deep Seaport project forward, saying the committee is ready to collaborate with key stakeholders to turn the vision of the Ibom Deep Seaport into a reality.
Earlier, while addressing the Commissioner, the leader of the delegation and Secretary General Port State Control for the West and Central African Region, Captain Sunday Umoren, expressed his team’s enthusiasm in supporting the development of Akwa Ibom State’s maritime sector.
As indigenes of the state, with expertise in various sectors of the maritime cluster, they seek to give back by investing in human capacity building, in view of the upcoming Ibom Deep Seaport.

Umo Eno
“We are here to render our services to you; we will respect your support in planning because the deep seaport is coming: the port is just a notch, but there are other aspects to port development, which if we don’t position ourselves very well, we may end up having a deep seaport in Akwa Ibom but not making the best out of it.” He said.
Other members of the team were the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Project and Director of Project, Ibom Deep Seaport, Engr. Akaninyene Ekong; Former District Surveyor NIMASA, Marine Surveyor Engr. Eyo James; and Project Lead, Shell UK, Adjunct Professor John Moores University, UK, Prof Maurice Asuquo.
Also on the team were the Chief Engineer, Jad Construction limited, Warri, Engr. Iniobong Ebong; Marine Pilot, Nigerian Ports Authority, Bonny/Port Harcourt Pilotage District, Rivers Port Complex, Nkopuyo Abraham.
Akwa Ibom
Uniuyo Theatre Arts Presents ‘Dance Of The Ghosts’, Haunting Commentary On Nigeria’s Social Ills

Uniuyo Theatre Arts Presents ‘Dance Of The Ghosts’, Haunting Commentary On Nigeria’s Social Ills
Uniuyo Theatre Arts presents ‘dance of the ghosts’, haunting commentary on Nigeria’s social ills. The University of Uyo’s (UNIUYO) Theatre Arts Department, recently, presented a thrilling performance of Ben Binebai’s “Dance of the Ghosts,” directed by Sunday Umanah-Tusi.
This impressive performance was a practical component of the Year One course, THA 113 – Practical Orientation Production.
In the thought-provoking play “Dance of the Ghosts,” Ben Binebai crafts a powerful political allegory that reflects the Nigerian state’s struggles with leadership, mistrust, and the pursuit of power. Set in the fictional Ebiogbo Kingdom, the play exposes the harsh realities of a society where many live in fear, poverty, and frustration.
Through the lens of Ebiogbo Kingdom, Binebai shines a light on the disconnect between the people and their leaders, as well as the mistrust and backstabbing that often characterize the pursuit of power.
The play advocates for collective action and protest against irresponsible and autocratic leadership, promoting a message of social change and conflict resolution.
Overall, “Dance of the Ghosts” was a captivating production that left the audience spellbound. With its talented cast, creative team, and eerie atmosphere, this play is a must-see for anyone interested in the supernatural and the unknown.
The production was a masterclass in collaborative storytelling, with a talented team of creatives bringing the world of ghosts to life.
The set design, crafted by Umanah-Tusi, Edikan Samuel, Emmanuel Alexander, and others, transported the audience to a realm beyond the living. Dora Nnanake and Emmah Edet’s costumes added a touch of eeriness to the proceedings, while Katty Otioro and Sylvia’s makeup designs made the ghosts look eerily real.

Uniuyo Theatre Arts
The lighting, designed by Uwem Nesfield, cast an otherworldly glow over the stage, immersing the audience in the world of the ghosts.
The choreography, crafted by Jackyafricana Abasiodiongo Ekomabasi, Precious Ammang, and Queendalyne Effiong, added a dynamic energy to the performance.
The stage management team, led by Blossom, Jeffrey, and Sarah, ensured a seamless transition between scenes, keeping the pace of the play steady.
The playwright, Ben Binebai is a renowned Professor of Drama, Dramatic Theory, and Criticism at the Niger Delta University (NDU) in Amasoma. A prolific writer, Binebai has penned numerous works that showcase his expertise in drama and theatre arts. His play “Dance of the Ghosts” is a testament to his ability to craft thought-provoking stories that reflect the complexities of Nigerian society.
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.
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