Press Week: NUJ to honour Gov Eno, Udom Emmanuel

By the Southern Post

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council will be honouring the State Governor, His Excellency Pastor Umo Eno, and the immediate past governor of the State, Mr Udom Emmanuel, among other eminent personalities at the Annual Dinner/Award Night as part of the activities to mark the 2024 Press Week.

According to the Chairman of the Press Week Planning Committee, Mr. Samuel Ayara, the event, which will be chaired by the National Chairman of Maintain Peace Movement (MPM), Barr. Emmanuel Enoidem, SAN, is meant to celebrate journalists in the State who have performed excellently in various fields through awards.

Mr Ayara further disclosed that there will be special recognition of brands and individuals that have made laudable contributions to the growth of the media as well as the overall development of the State.

The Award/Dinner will hold, Thursday, December 5, at Emerald Event Centre, Edet Akpan Avenue, Uyo.

GOV. ENO HARPS ON CHRISTIAN VALUES AS HOME-GOING CEREMONIES OF FIRST LADY BEGIN

As activities for the home-going ceremonies of the late Akwa Ibom State First Lady, Pastor (Mrs.) Patience Umo Eno, begin, the State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has urged everyone to imbibe Christian values and always forgive one another.

The Governor gave the charge at the church service marking the commencement of the home-going ceremonies held at his country home, Ikot Ekpene Udo, Nsit Ubium Local Government Area.

He advised that the passing of the First Lady should serve as a lesson for all, emphasizing that neither wealth nor social standing can guarantee life.

“We live a borrowed life, and the Owner can call for it at any time. Let us always focus our hearts on God, forgive one another, learn the lessons, and move on. Let this ceremony remind us that unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.”

The Governor expressed gratitude to everyone who attended the event and identified with the family, thanking them for their love and support. He prayed for God’s blessings upon all present.

Visibly emotional, the Governor concluded his remarks with the popular song by Joe E. Parks Jr.:

“It could happen in a moment

In the twinkling of an eye

It could happen in a moment

He could part the eastern skies.”

Earlier, in his exhortation, the Presiding Pastor of All Nations Christian Ministry Int’l, Pastor Ndaeyo Udomfuk, drawing from Psalm 127:1, reminded the congregation that God is the beginning and the end, the builder, protector, keeper, and watchman. He prayed that God would continue to sustain and comfort the bereaved family throughout the home-going activities and beyond.

GOV ENO HARPS ON CONTINUITY, INAUGURATES 13.6KM IBESIKPO ASUTAN,NSIT IBOM LINK ROAD

By Anietie Edet 

The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno has expressed his appreciation to the people of Akwa Ibom State for their unwavering support which culminated in his emergence as Governor, saying it has enabled continuity in projects initiated by his predecessor, Mr Udom Emmanuel. 

He has also assured that as long as communities cooperate with contractors, more projects will be allotted to such communities. 

Governor spoke in a message  delivered on Thursday during the commissioning of the 13.6km Ikot Obio Offong~Nnung Ukana ~Enen Esit Road.

Represented by the Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, the Governor said the decision to vote him, has made it possible to complete all ongoing projects that were embarked upon by his immediate predecessor Mr Udom Emmanuel.  

Governor Eno had previous day inaugurated another road project in Mkpat Enin, which was inherited at 50 percent completion from Mr Emmanuel’s administration. 

He called on Communities in the State to imbibe accommodating spirit to contractors in their communities, saying that this will bring more development to them. 

"The communities should be careful not to vandalize government projects done in their villages, but rather accomodate contractors so that more developments will be brought there.

"I congratulate the benefitting communities on the completion of this road project. The contractor deserves a pat on the back for a job well done while the Commissioner, Prof. Eno Ibanga and officials of the Ministry of Works and Fire Service deserve commendation for being competent supervisors."

The Deputy Governor further stated that the commissioning of the project marks that the administration is geared towards fostering continuity. 

"It is such a fulfilling experience, deploying the resources of the State for the benefit of its people, especially the less privileged and the often neglected rural communities.

"Today, we are in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area to commission the Ikot Obio Offong - Nung Ukana - Enen Nsit - Afaha Udo Eyop - Afaha Offiong Road which connects and traverses parts of Ibesikpo Asutan and Nsit Ibom Local Government Areas. 

"The completion and commissioning of this road signify a giant stride in our rural development drive and the plan to interconnect our communities through access roads under the ARISE Agenda.

In welcome remarks, the Chairman of Ibesikpo Asutan LGA, Hon Edidiong Inyang thanked Governor Eno for the inclusive politics that he adorned the youths of Ibesikpo Asutan, reaffirming that they will not disappoint him come 2027.

Recalling how Governor Eno flagged off and commissioned a healthcare facility in a space of 6 months in office, Mr Inyang noted that the people of Ibesikpo Asutan are more than grateful to him for the development he has brought to their Local Government Area, adding that the commissioning of the 13.6km Ikot Obio Offong-Enen Nsit road has brought light to the entire community.

“After 3 months, you came back to commission that healthcare facility which is still working today. You have done so well by bringing light to the entire community that we are standing" he said.

Also speaking, Edidem Clement Francis Ekpeyong, the Paramount Ruler of Ibesikpo Asutan, expressed his appreciation for the governor’s dedication to the ARISE AGENDA. He praised the governor as "a man of capacity," acknowledging the governor’s commitment to development and the prosperity of the people of Ibesikpo Asutan.

“Today is a great one for us,” said Edidem Ekpenyong. 

“The governor has not only opened up this critical road but has also empowered the younger generation in office, giving them wings to fly. I encourage these young leaders to maximize this opportunity, following the governor’s example of commitment and hard work.”

Reflecting on the governor's dedication to sustainable growth, Edidem Ekpeyong added, “We thank him very sincerely. This is not the first time he has shown his capacity in Ibesikpo Asutan, and this will certainly not be the last.”

Member State House of Assembly Mr Ubong Attah expressed gratitude to the Governor for meeting the expectation of the people and his constituency by delivering the mandate of his Arise Agenda. 

He noted that the governor has stirred the wheel of leadership in line with his vision of the mandate, and assured of their support. 

The Managing Director of JMK Construction Mr.Faysal Harb appreciated Gov Eno for awarding the contract to his firm, maintaining that the road was in a deplorable state, but that the community cooperated in ensuring safety, efficiency and effectiveness.

The Commissioner of Finance Dr. Linus Nkanga expressed satisfaction towards the project. 

He said the project has great economic impact on the people, as this will touched both rural-urban traders as they traverse the market.

He furthered that the project will enabled farmers to efficiently store and transport their produce to markets, curb the problem of Rural-Urban migration as this is one of the cardinal project on the Arise Agenda of his excellency.

Describing the road, the Commissioner for works and fire service, Prof Eno Ibanga stated that the road was a virgin road with 50% completion and the coming of Pastor Eno took it to 100% completion with a 1.2km drainage to avoid flooding, a roundabout to divert traffic and an accessible road that links to Nsit Ibom LGA.

Speaking on behalf of the women, the Chapter woman leader Anyanime Obot described the governor as a compassionate leader and thanked him for everything that he has done for the people of Ibesikpo and prayed God to bless him.

The deputy governor later inspected the new school blocks in two schools, constructed by the Contractor, as gifts to the communities and lauded him for his love to host communities.

Governor Umo Eno Announces N80,000 Minimum Wage for Workers.

Press Release

Akwa Ibom State Government Announces N80,000 Minimum Wage, Constitutes Implementation Committee

The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, has announced that the State Government will a new minimum wage of N80,000 for all state government employees. 

To ensure a smooth rollout of this policy, the governor has also constituted an implementation committee, which has been given one month to deliver its report on how the wage increase will be executed.

The committee, chaired by the Head of the Civil Service, includes the following as members:

 • Chairman, State Civil Service Commission

 • Chairman, Local Government Service Commission

 • Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance

 • Permanent Secretary, Department of Establishments

 • Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Manpower Planning

 • Permanent Secretary/Solicitor General, Ministry of Justice

 • Permanent Secretary/Accountant General

 • Permanent Secretary, Local Government Service Commission

 • Permanent Secretary, Office of the Head of Civil Service

 • Director of Budget

 • State Chairman, Joint Public Service Negotiating Council

 • Secretary, Joint Public Sector Negotiating Council

 • State Chairperson, Nigeria Labour Congress, Akwa Ibom State

 • State Chairman, Trade Union Congress, Akwa Ibom State

 • State President, Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE)

This announcement is reflective the state government’s commitment to improving the welfare of its workforce.

Signed:

Comrade Ini Ememobong

Honourable Commissioner

23102024

EXCITEMENT AS GOV ENO STORMS IKOT EKPENE TO INAUGURATE GORRETI GIRLS COLLEGE ROAD

There is general excitement in the air as Akwa Ibom state Governor Pst. Umo Eno storms Ikot Ekpene to commission a1.1km access road and drainage project at Gorreti Girls Secondary School Road. 

The bridge linking the college had collapsed more than 7 years ago while the entire road collapsed four years ago, forcing parents to pull of their children from the only all girls’ public college in the oldest local government in West Africa.

Governor Umo Eno in August last year had awarded the contract for the road to an indigenous contractor, U&K, suing for a reclamation of the road and restoration of a standard road in line with his ARISE Agenda. 

Conducting journalists around the project, Senior Special Assistant on Research and Documentation, Dr  Essien Ndueso said Governor Eno had to intervene on the project to save both students and the community from danger. 

“With the collapse of the bridge, reported incidents of students and even school teachers, sliding into the ravine, was a common sight. 

“Economic and agricultural developments suffered a great deal and the largely agrarian adjoining communities were deserted. 

" This road project links up with the ARISE Agenda, as it addresses the Agriculture, rural development, infrastructural maintenance and educational advancement.  

" Apart from the project itself, the governor is encouraging local contractors in the state . 

" The Contractor U&K Limited is an indigenous contractor and they are doing a good job here. The governor will commission this road with the bridges tomorrow . 

The project contractor and Managing Director of U&K Limited Engr Ukeme Eyo Peters said the road was beyond  deplorable at the time the contract was awarded to his company adding that he was happy as the road has been transformed through his engineering skills displayed during  execution of the project. 

" The dimension of the road is 1.1km while the outfalls of the drain is 0.81. The road is transformed and we now have a brand new access road for both the community and students of Goretti Girls Secondary School , Ikot Ekpene.  

Engr. Ukeme Peter assured on the durability of the road, saying he adhered to stipulated standards. 

Narrating their experiences when the road was in deplorable condition, the compound Master of Goretti Girls Secondary School Mr Itoro Moses said the school had no access road for more than 5 years. 

Moses explained  that the absence of access road had caused parents to withdraw their children from the school in the past adding that the population of the school is now increasing . 

" There was no access road for some years now . Parents withdrew their children but now we are sure that the population is increasing as the road has been constructed by Governor Umo Eno . 

" We thank the governor for constructing this road. God bless him . " 

One of the students Miss Esther John  who said she aspires to study law after her secondary  School appreciated Governor Umo Eno for constructing access road to the college .

" I'm from Abia state . My parents almost withdrew me from this college for lack of access road to this school but I insisted that they should allow me . My hope was that one day, this road will be constructed and I thank the governor for making my hope to be alive . God bless him " she said

Governor Umo Eno engaged Contractors with AKROIMA for Maintenance and Remedial Works on Akwa Ibom State's Intracity Roads.

For the Records

PRESS BRIEFING BY THE HONOURABLE COMMISSIONER FOR WORKS AND FIRE SERVICE, PROFESSOR ENO IBANGA ON THE UPDATE ON ROAD PROJECTS AND INFRASTRUCTURAL EXPANSION INVESTMENTS UNDER GOVERNOR UMO ENO’S ADMINISTRATION.

My Dear Gentlemen of the Press,

In keeping with this administration’s now entrenched practice of constantly engaging and providing precise, useful and strategic information to Akwa Ibom people on the progress, successes and goals of investments by the Akwa Ibom State Government under the visionary stewardship of His Excellency, Pastor (Dr.) Umo Eno, we here today to inform our citizens, through you, key developments and projections of this administration in the area of infrastructure expansion and consolidation.

Beginning from May 29, 2023 when the ship of the present administration captained by  His Excellency Pastor Umo Eno set sail, an impressive mileage has been covered, in this voyage to expand the frontiers of infrastructure and consolidate on existing ones.

We have categorised rise infrastructure into two sets:

1.    FUNDING OF PROJECTS INHERITED FROM PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS

Governor Umo Eno has so far injected N47.93 Billion into Thirty-Six (36) of the inherited FGPC projects and N4.04 Billion into Fifty-One (51) of the Emergency intervention Projects inherited from the immediate past administration. A total of 51.96 Billion has been spent in this category. 

2.    ARISE PROJECTS

The Governor has initiated/flagged off Sixty-One (61) Arise Agenda Projects. Some of such projects have been completed, like:

■Akpan Andem Market

■Amphitheatre Christmas Village Arena 

■Atiku Abubakar underground tunnel and

■Goretti secondary school road

These projects have already been completed and commissioned while others are at various stages of completion. N151.66 Billion has been released by this administration to finance Fifty (50) of the FGPC ARISE Agenda Projects while N4.54 Billion Naira has been spent on the Eleven (11) Emergency Intervention ARISE Agenda Projects. In all, a total of N156.20 Billion has been spent on the ARISE Agenda Projects.

For both the initiated and inherited projects, this administration has spent an accumulative sum of N208.16 Billion as at October 18th 2024.

UPDATE ON MAJOR ONGOING/ RECENTLY AWARDED ROAD CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

1.    TABERNACLE ROAD:  The greater part of the work needed for the swift completion of the Tabernacle road has been the excavation which from professional advice from certified civil Engineers should go at least 11 meters deep. This of course is a very deep excavation work which unfortunately was slowed down by perennial rainfall and the absence idbthe the usual August break which we have experienced in Akwa Ibom State this year.  The reality remains that if the contractors had ignored the rains and continued with the excavatuon, there is a tendency of accidents or poor project delivery.

However, we understand the challenges faced by commuters in seeking for alternative routes as a result of this construction. Unfortunately, against Government directive, Heavy Duty trucks refused to ply the approved diverted routes for instead they joined other lighter vehicles to use these intra-city roads thereby exerting incalculably harmful pressure on these roads.  It is cogent to explain that these intra-city routes were not meant for constant use by these heavy duty trucks. Intra-city Roads like Ikpa Road and Uyo Village road have been badly affected.

However, this administration, being a responsive one, has immediately swung into action with the immediate award of contract for the construction of Uyo village Road and Ikpa Road stretching up to Udoette Street.

UPDATE ON ROADS TO BE INAUGURATED BY GOVERNOR UMO ENO

Soonest , His Excellency Governor Umo Eno will officially inaugurate some strategic road projects in furtherance of this administration’s avowed pledge to expand and consolidate on existing road infrastructure in the State. These roads include:

The  6.97km Ukpana - Akpabom - Ikwe road with 30m span bridge in ONNA and Mkpat Enin LGA

The  2.45km internal roads at Block G, Anua Ifa Ikot Okpon Housing Estate, Uyo.

3.6km Ikot Obio Offong-Nung Ukana (Spur I to Ikot Obio Odongo) - Abaukpo - (Spur II to Afaha Ikot Owop) - Obetok - Obongntong - Enen Nsit - Afaha Udoeyop - Afaha Offong Road in Ibesikpo Asutan LGA.

10.519km Mkpat Enin-Ikot Ubo-Ikot Ntot-Nkikara Road in Mkpat Enin/Ikot Abasi LGA

9.76km Anciliary Roads with 60m Bridge in Nsit Ubium LGA with additional Road measuring 2.3km

4.95km Ekparakwa - Ntak Ibesit Road in Oruk Anam LGA.

2.9km Secretariat Okuko II - Events Road with Spur in Urue-Offiong/Oruko LGA

22.75km Ikot Ekaide - Ikot Okoro - Ibritam Road with two bridges in Oruk Anam LGA

We invite you and all Akwa Ibom people to be a part of these historic events, when the Minisitry of Information publishes the dates and venues. 

SUNDRY ISSUES

Gentlemen of the Press, as we move ahead in our journey of road infrastructure expansion and consolidation as encapsulated in the ARISE AGENDA, it is important that we remind ourselves that roads have a lifespan and as it inches closer, the need for maintenance and remedial jobs becomes inevitable. The noticeable potholes on our intracity roads have already received government's attention as the Governor had directed our Minsitry to immediately engage two contractors, in addition to AKROIMA, to undertake maintenance and remedial works on intracity roads. They are only waiting for the rains to stop, before work commences

We continue to plead with citizens of the State to complement Government investments in infrastructural expansion by not erecting structures on waterways, drainages and right of ways.

We also appeal with Akwa Ibom people to desist from constituting themselves into emergency road construction experts through initiating additional designs like speed breakers on the roads, as these can cause early damage to the road infrastructure. The right thing to do is to approach the Ministry of Works with such requests.

THE JOURNEY AHEAD

Let reiterate the firm and sincere commitment by the administration of Pastor Umo Eno to complete the road infrastructure projects he inherited by previous administrations in Akwa Ibom State as well as completing the ones initiated by his administration. As the rainy seasons end, I assure you that this government through the Ministry of works and Fire Service is set to swing into action and exert the needed pressure on contractors handling road projects to complete them within scheduled timelines. Armed with the perfect understanding of the centrality of road  and other critical infrastructure to the actualization of the ARISE Agenda, we will continue to make strategic investments that will benefit our state development trajectory in the short, medium and long term.

Thank you for your attention.

GOVERNOR ENO RECEIVES GOVERNORS' FORUM ON CONDOLENCE VISIT

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has expressed gratitude over the soothing gesture of his fellow governors and other kind-hearted Nigerians towards him as he grieves the demise of his wife, Her Excellency, Pastor (Mrs) Patience Umo Eno.

Governor Eno expressed this sentiments when state Chief Executives under the auspices of the Nigeria Governors' Forum (NGF) paid him a condolence visit at the Hilltop Mansion, Government House, Uyo.

Reflecting on the sacrifices made by the governors to travel all the way from their different states to condole with him and the family, as well as messages, calls and visits from the President, and the nation's First Lady and other well-meaning citizens across Nigeria, Governor Eno described the gestures as warm and comforting, adding that he and his family have drawn a lot of strength from the expression of love.

He reiterated that the late First Lady, Her Excellency, Pastor (Mrs.) Patience Eno, who has been his wife for 38 years lived a successful and fulfilled life and by all standards, was a great achiever.

"It is something that we cannot easily come to terms with. For me, when I talk to people, I tell them this is a lifetime of mourning, you mourn in stages. It is not something you just finish mourning and it is over because as long as you live, you will keep seeing that there is a vacuum. 

"But the truth is, the encouragement, the comfort and the support we have received from very well- meaning Nigerians gives us that hope, strength and the ability to continue to look forward.

"It is amazing how this has touched people across party lines. The other day, apart from the press release of His Excellency the President, he also made a personal call. He spent quite some time on phone with me. So the interest that people are taking gives us that comfort and that encouragement and it helps us manage the pain.

"So we want to thank you for coming all the way. To travel from one point to the other and to finally make it to Akwa Ibom is stressful. If people don't love you, they won't do all of that. So this is an indication of that love, and we do not take it for granted," the Governor said.

Expressing the sentiments of the Nigeria Governors' Forum, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq of Kwara State and Chairman of the Forum described the late Mrs Patience Eno as a household name in humanity, describing the feeling of having to lose her as devastating to both members of the Forum and its staff.

He therefore expressed the wish of the Forum that God will grant Governor Eno the fortitude to bear the huge loss and their daughter, Mrs. Helen Obareki, the grace to pilot the pet project and other programmes of the Office of the First Lady.

Speaking earlier, the Governor of Edo State and Chairman, South-South Governors' Forum, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, said with the kind disposition and positive energy the deceased First Lady exhibited, it will be difficult to forget her.

He pleaded with the Governor to be consoled by the values she represented and what she stood for in her life time, while he conveyed the condolence of the governors of sister states in the South-South zone.