The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Umo Eno, has disbursed ₦401million empowerment grants to over 1000 constituents of Eket Federal Constituency.
During the empowement presentations, ₦5 million grants were awarded to small and medium-scale business owners, while farmers benefitted from a separate ₦2 billion agricultural grant initiative
The empowerment aligns with the State Governor’s ARISE Agenda which aims to strengthen grassroots economic development and uplift livelihoods of the State citizens.
Addressing constituents, during ARISE Town hall Meeting of Eket, Esit Eket, Onna and Ibeno Federal Constituency, Governor Eno expressed deep gratitude to the constituents for their unwavering support.
“Let me thank you for the overwhelmingly welcome back to Eket. I know Nsit Ubium and Uyo federal constituency is the constituency of my birth but Eket Federal Constituency is the constituency of my rebirth. It is in this land that I cut my teeth in business and you have been good to us,” he said.
Equitable Development
The Governor reaffirmed his commitment to equitable development of the State, pledging continued prioritisation of the growth and wellbeing of Eket Constituency.
He says, “ I know to whom much is given, much is expected and you can never be forgotten. This is your government. I have recieved the needs assessment , we will look at it. You will see it in our 2026 budget,”
Governor Eno stated that in the last two years, his administration had embarked on over 70 projects in the constituency, reassuring that more was being done ” across all of the state providing jobs for our young people, ensuring that we can try to accommodate them and chart a new course for them,”
While suing for peace amongst warring creek communities to accelerate development, Eno disclosed that the State Government was “partnering and looking for investors”to develop the tourism oppourtunities” and appealed to communities running the longest shoreline in Africa in the State to “be ready to allow investors to come in”.
Quashing insinuations of a rift with his predecessor, Udom Emmanuel, Governor Eno said “We have moved in the best political interest of Akwa Ibom State for today so that we can pull our support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He is still our father and will continue to earn our respect.”
While committing to work closely with the leaders of the constituency, Eno said, “We have about 50 to 60 projects before the end of the first term and we are still spreading it across all of the Federal constituencies.
“The next step is to continue to deliver on the project’s as enshrined in the ARISE Agenda that we have proposed to the people.
“Eket, we are soon starting a sports academy, we are working. Please find something to do and register on the portal.”
Earlier, the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, said the meeting was convened to thank members of Eket Federal Constituency, for the support given to the Governor and to empower the constituents with grants for traders, farmers, and MSME’s.
Uwah says, “He has come to empower you. He has come with grants. Traders grants, farmers grants, MSME’S grants. He has come with cars, he has come with buses, he has come to empower you. He’s also here to hear from you.
He emphasised that “This Governor does not stay in Uyo to know your needs. He knows that if you tell him, this is your need, it is always the best option, that way he’ll be able to give you your needs. He has come here personally to collect your needs documents. This will be incorporated into the 2026 budget…”
Speaking on behalf of Commissioners from the Constituency, the state Commissioner for Local Government & Chieftaincy Affairs, and Dean of Commissioners, Honourable Frank Archibong extolled the Governor’s sense of purpose, duty, compassion and commitment to development and stability of the State.
He says, “You brought development to this Federal constituency even before venturing into politics. You have the governance, Power and Authority in Akwa Ibom State and I am Sure this federal constituency will be the better for it.
He further posited “This is the treasure base of Akwa Ibom State. The wealth of Akwa Ibom State comes from this Federal constituency, the development of Akwa Ibom State is courtesy of this Federal constituency. This federal constituency is very expectant and very hopeful that the beach in this federal constituency will be given a face lift to complement the ARISE Agenda in tourism.
Reaffirming their unalloyed support for the Governor, Archibong said the beach just like Africa’s tourism destinations like Zanzibar and Rwanda, would make Akwa Ibom State a tourism destination hub.
He also appealed for the utilisation of the natural waterfront and shoreline of the riverine communities for the revival of “Qua River Hotel” into a world class five star hotel.
“We are so hopeful your Excellency, that is why we believe so much in you…” He appealed.
Speaking on behalf of the Chairmen of the four Local Government Areas of (Esit Eket)- Uduak Ikot, (Onna)-Kufre Umoren and (Ibeno)- Glory Effiong ; Hon. Akaninyene Tommey – (Eket) , commended the Governor for his impactful Leadership, people-oriented governance and the remarkable transformation witnessed in various communities of the Constituency.
He pledged the continued support of the Chairmen for the success of the Governor and the ARISE Agenda.
Presenting a goodwill message, a former Minister of Lands and Housing, Chief Nduese Essien, applauded Governor Eno’s exemplary innovativeness in grassroots administration, saying, “we look forward to your giving us good governance in the remaining 2 years and in the next 4 years.”
Essien further added “Eket used to be the commercial headquarters of Akwa Ibom and you are one of those that made this Federal constituency the commercial headquarters. Today it’s no longer so. So we expect that you’ll be able to restore that before the end of your tenure,”
Vote of Confidence
Lawmakers of the Constituency, in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Hon. Udobia Udo (Esit Eket/Ibeno), and Hon. Sunny Johnny (Onna), led by Dr. Nsidibe Akata (Eket) passed a vote of confidence on the Governor for his outstanding performance in just two years, and endorsed him as the sole candidate of the Constituency come 2027.
“In all of the town hall meetings, the story has been the same, superlative performance, sterling performance all the way. You have done so much for us but we will not say no to more… We adopt you as our sole candidate in the 2027 general elections,” they declared
Also, the Governor’s Director General of Campaign, Assam Assam, presenting the Constituency’s ” NEEDS Document -a development roadmap from the four LGA’s” to the Governor said; “This is your method of running government. You tell the people, come and tell me your needs and I will do it for you , but you always add on availability of funds but in this one your Excellency funds will be available…”
Other speakers, including political stalwarts and community leaders of the constituency, who hailed his giant developmental strides and inclusive leadership, unanimously pledged their unwavering support for the Governor’s re-election in 2027, and urged him to consolidate on his laudable achievements.
The event also featured a Symbolic presentation of gifts to the Governor from the people of Eket Federal Constituency by the Constituency Leaders led by Asam Asam .
ARISE Agenda
The ARISE Agenda is a five-point development plan for Akwa Ibom State, introduced by Governor Umo Eno to improve the state’s economy and the overall well-being of its citizens.
The “ARISE” acronym stands for: Agricultural Revolution, Rural Development, Infrastructural Maintenance and Advancement, Security Management, and Educational and Health Sector Advancement.
Confidence Okwuchi