Umo Eno sworn in as the fifth democratic Gov in A'Ibom

 

By Freshgist 

Jubilation thrilled as Pastor Umo Eno and Senator Akon Eyakenyi were sworn-in as the 5th democratically  elected governor and first elected female deputy governor of Akwa Ibom State respectively earlier today.

Eno, a successful Entrepreneur, hails Ikot Ekpene Udo in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State took over from Udom Emmanuel who ruled the State from 2015 to 2023.

The Chief Judge of the state, Justice Ekaette Obot administered the oath of office and allegiance on the both of them at  Godswill Akpabio International stadium, Uyo at about 1:30pm.

Eno charged on all political stakeholders to put aside their grievances and join hands with him to move the state forward, appealing that politics must not severe the ties of their common heritage or brotherhood.

The new executive governor of the state Pastor Umo Eno, pledged to be a governor to all citizens and residents not minding their political party affiliations, or ethnicity.  

"Politics therefore must not separate or sever the ties of our brotherhood and common heritage  and aspirations, I pledge to you that I will be governor for all Akwaibomited, irrespective of political persuasions or affiliations.

” I call on our people to come together, and let’s build s State where the pain of one Akwaibomite is the pain of all, and where the success of one Akwaibomite is the success for all.

“We have been too polarized by politics, This should not be. As I said in my Victory Speech, we will set up a bi-partisan reconciliation committee soon, so we can jaw-jaw instead of war-war on critical issues of our development, unity and brotherhood”

The newly sworn-in governor  stressed that he  could  not achieve or actualize his visions for the state  alone adding, “This is a collective responsibility, and I am very sure all of you patriotic citizens of Akwa Ibom State, will join hands with me to further push the developmental strides as handed down by my worthy Predecessor"

"My dear Akwa Ibom people, as I accept this onerous task to open another chapter of the glittering and continuous story of our growth, development, peace and unity of our dear State and our people, I want you to be inspired by my story.

 

"To those of you who may be struggling to put food on the table, if I overcame, you too can! To those who may have given up on life because of the circumstances you currently find yourself, if I overcame, believe me, you too can!

 

"To the youths of Akwa Ibom State, my story is your story. There is nothing you cannot achieve if you put your heart and mind in it. There is no mountain steep or slippery enough that you cannot climb and get to the apex if, to quote the inspirational words of my Political Father and my worthy Predecessor, His Excellency,  Mr. Udom Emmanuel “the passion is right.” 

 

"Today, Hilda Bassey, the Guinness World Record holder in the longest cooking hours by an individual has epitomized the Dakkada Spirit,  Enoh Ebong, the Director, United Sates Trade and Development Agency, who is part of President Biden’s delegation to the inauguration of President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) is of Akwa Ibom ancestry. Ime Udoka, the former Head Coach of the Boston Celtics and now, Houston Rockets, has made us all proud. My administration will work hard to produce more of these great and inspirational Akwaibomites. We will create the enabling environment for our youths to thrive, since every one cannot be given political appointments.

 

" My fellow Akwaibomites, in the last eight years, our State has witnessed monumental developmental strides across all sectors, earning the national acclaim as “Nigeria’s Best Kept Secret.” We owe my Predecessor and Political Father our debt of gratitude. From aviation development, where today we are the only sub national with a thriving airline in the nation, the Ibom Air, to the smartest Airport Terminal building, the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) the longest Taxiway in the nation, with Category 2 Certification, our story has been one where,   as providentially stated in Job 22: 29  “when men are cast down, then thou shall say there is  lifting up,”

"Today, because my worthy Predecessor knew that the provision of world -class infrastructure, especially economically viable road network that connects the State seamlessly will ensure rapid economic development, we,  are blessed and ready to utilize this all- important driver of growth, prosperity and development  to connect the dots and A.R.I.S.E. further with our growth and development.

 

"From investments in agriculture,  healthcare delivery services,  education, where our WAEC pass rate now stands at over 80 percent from 60 percent it was a few years back, to changing our narratives of our State  from a once purely Civil- Service oriented State to one that today has attracted Foreign Direct Investments with over twenty industries that have provided employment opportunities, to human capacity development,  rural and riverine development, sports, tourism, peace and security, my Predecessor has made this State, ready for economic explosion.  We would connect the dots and have our people A.R.I.S.E with us for greater glory and growth.

 

"My worthy Predecessor, H.E. Udom Emmanuel had commenced the digitalization of the Civil Service. We will complete the process of E-governance. We will priotize the welfare of our civil servants and encourage a spirit of entrepreneurship in line with our dakkada spirit.