By Jeremiah Edoho
The story of Akwa Ibom is, at its heart, a story of transformation. From the “glorified village” that Uyo once was in 1987, the state capital has evolved into a bustling city of sprawling housing estates, a world-class airline, and a vibrant spirit of enterprise.
On September 23, 2025, Governor Umo Eno used the state’s 38th anniversary broadcast not only to celebrate this journey but to set out a bold vision for the years ahead, a vision anchored on unity, peace, and sustainable development.
“It has been a journey of renewal, of phenomenal growth, of undiluted peace, of the deepening of bonds of unity,” the governor declared, paying tribute to the founding fathers and to General Ibrahim Babangida, whose decree in 1987 birthed the state. “Thirty-eight years ago, Uyo was, for all intents and purposes, a rural backwater. Today, Akwa Ibom stands as a testimony to God’s blessings and the resilience of its people.”
𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗚𝗼𝗹𝗱.
Governor Eno placed tourism at the centre of his economic diversification drive, describing it as the “new black gold” for Akwa Ibom. He announced that the audacious Arise Resort, slated for commissioning in December, alongside a 5,000-capacity International Convention Centre and a 200-room hotel within the Tropicana complex, will transform the state into Nigeria’s foremost tourism hub.
𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆.
Agriculture, another pillar of his Arise Agenda, is being repositioned to secure the state’s food future and create wealth. “We have reignited our passion in agriculture and the need to produce our staple food,” Eno said, unveiling plans for a Tree Crop Development Project aimed at reclaiming Akwa Ibom’s historic place as Nigeria’s leading oil palm producer.
𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗼𝗮𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀.
Road infrastructure remains a key measure of progress. To date, the administration has delivered over 771 kilometres of roads, both new and inherited, across the three senatorial districts. Today, Wednesday, September 24, the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, will commission the 15.8KM Ikot Esu-Otomo-Azumini Road, and 1.53KM Internal Roads in Ikot Udom in Ika LGA, a symbol of the state’s growing collaboration with the federal government.
𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.
Determined to keep Akwa Ibom among Nigeria’s safest states, the governor recently launched the Akwa Ibom Security Trust Fund, drawing private sector support to strengthen security operations.
Healthcare and education are receiving equal attention. With a declared health emergency, the state is advancing work on a 350-bed Ibom International Hospital, an Elders Care Centre, and model schools and health centres in all three senatorial districts. “These are deliberate investments to address gaps in critical sectors,” Eno explained.
𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.
Governor Eno’s compassion-driven governance is evident in practical interventions. Over 205 solar-powered, fully furnished two-bedroom bungalows have been built for vulnerable families, while a massive food distribution programme has reached more than 500,000 households. Just last week, the state hosted a Power Summit to chart a path toward universal access to electricity.
𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀
As the political season approaches, Eno urged Akwa Ibomites to safeguard the peace that underpins development. “Elections will come and go, but the Akwa Ibom spirit of love and brotherhood will remain,” he said, calling on leaders to rise above ethnicity and warning youths against becoming instruments of violence.
𝗔 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆.
Closing his address, the governor expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senate President Godswill Akpabio for their support, pledging continued cooperation with federal reforms. His parting charge resonated with both prayer and purpose: “Let us all Arise to a Renewed Hope for Akwa Ibom and for Nigeria.”
At 38, Akwa Ibom is not merely celebrating its past. Under Governor Eno, it is boldly charting a future defined by peace, progress, and the promise of shared prosperity.
— 𝗝𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗮𝗵 𝗘𝗱𝗼𝗵𝗼 𝘄𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗜𝗱𝘂𝗮 𝗡𝘁𝗮𝗸-𝗜𝗻𝘆𝗮𝗻𝗴, 𝗘𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗘𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝗟𝗚𝗔.
