The Akwa Ibom State Government has held a Special Variety Night, themed “Gratitude”, to mark the state’s 39th anniversary, with Governor Umo Eno and Senate President Godswill Akpabio highlighting continuity in leadership and unity as factors in the state’s development.
Speaking at the event, Governor Eno expressed gratitude to past leaders for laying the foundation upon which successive administrations have continued to build.
He said his administration was determined to further advance the state’s development.
“I would like to thank our past leaders, some of whom are here tonight, for the foundation that you laid upon which this state is being built from the military era to the civilian era.
We are building on that foundation that you laid for the state and each and every one of you have brought; I’ve moved this state a little further.
I’m praying that by the time we leave office it will be said that we also moved the needle of development a little bit further when we handed over the baton to the next governor.”
Governor Eno also highlighted his collaboration with Akpabio, describing it as an important factor in maintaining peace and advancing development in the state.
“Many governors fight their senate president. I don’t know why, but I know they miss a lot when they do that because that collaboration means a lot for our people. As is commonly said, when two elephants fight, the grass suffers.”
Akpabio commended Eno’s development initiatives, particularly the transformation of the Arise Palm Resort, which he said demonstrated the impact of purposeful leadership.
“What matters is that they have it, so coming here tonight, I know that this used to be a ravine. I also knew that this was one of the worst erosion sites in Akwa Ibom, but today it is a place for enjoyment; it’s a resort, it’s a place that you can bring happiness to the people. This is the progress that anybody should be very happy about.”
He described the state’s leadership as possessing “sight and vision”, particularly in development and unity.
“Tonight, I welcome you to a state where the leadership has both sight and vision, vision of development, vision of unification, and vision of love for one another.”
The event also featured remarks by the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, who described the state as a hub of infrastructure and human capital development.
Earlier, Uwah said the state had evolved into a hub of infrastructure and human capital development.
“Our state has not only become a national capital for world-class social infrastructure and a reference point for ongoing capital projects but also a beacon of human capital development and a destination of choice.
I commend our past leaders who have contributed significantly to the success story of the state’s evolving narrative.”
The high point of the celebration was the presentation of the 2026 Governor’s Excellence Leadership Award to the Vice Chancellor of Akwa Ibom State University, Professor Otoabasi Akpan, and the redemption of state obligations to two scholars, Dr Joseph Akpan, one hundred and sixty million, and an academic grant of thirty million Naira to Mr Uwakmfon Umana Jacob.
The event also featured the unveiling of the book “Umo Eno: Humanising Politics and Governance”, a compilation of perspectives through the lens of the media, people and critical stakeholders, authored by Abasiama Umoh.
Dignitries present included the Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas) Obongemem Ekperikpe Ekpo, Former Governors and Deputy Governors, Legislators from the Federal and State legislature , Former Ministers of Akwa Ibom Extraction, Advertising Doyen Mr Udeme Ufot, amongst others.
