Umo Eno: The Sleek Face of Nigerian Politics by Mike Effiong

Nigeria’s political landscape is witnessing an important shift. Indeed, there is something unusual and distinctive occurring in Akwa Ibom State, and it’s time for the entire nation to rise, applaud, and emulate Governor Umo Bassey Eno.

In barely one year in office, Governor Eno is carving a niche for himself with his leadership and governance style, which is rooted in the values of unity, empathy, humility, integrity, and prudence. Many now refer to him as the new face of Nigerian politics.

For those following Governor Eno’s actions, this nickname is not mere flattery. In words and deeds, he has demonstrated traits that are rare in our political arena. Even those traits previously exhibited by others, he is taking them to a new level. He is the true embodiment of politics without bitterness.

Many politicians claim to have an open-door policy and make decisions without political bias, but their actions often tell a different story. In his inauguration speech, Governor Eno said, “Elections are over, and our kinship should be renewed and deepened. We are all Akwa Ibomites first before politics. Politics must never divide or sever the ties of our brotherhood, shared heritage, and aspirations. I pledge to be Governor for all, regardless of political affiliations.”

Governor Eno understood from the outset that no event has a monopoly of news and that reducing the political temperature in the state would help him succeed. A toxic atmosphere stunts growth, no matter how honest or sincere a person is.

As a “Talk and Take Action” leader, he has extended his hand of friendship across party lines more than any other recent Nigerian politician. This is exemplified by his decision to go to Abuja to congratulate former governor, Senator Godswill Akpabio, just hours after he was elected as President of the Nigerian Senate.

This action drew mixed reactions in the state. Some political leaders in Umo Eno’s PDP were disappointed, feeling the move was unkind to his supporters after a bitter and divisive election season. On the other hand, as a thoughtful, earnest, first-rate, dignified, farsighted, and focused leader, Governor Eno knew that, as a pastor, there is no substitute for Unity and Faith. Even the Nigerian coat of arms shows that what surely follows are Peace and Progress.

This approach has become his principle, he has embraced All Progressives Congress (APC) members who received federal appointments and opened his heart to leaders from other parties. It is no surprise that Nigeria’s Minister of State, Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt Hon. Victor Ekperikpe Ekpo described him as a blessing and vessel of peace. According to the Minister, “As a Pastor, you have not disappointed the pulpit; as a politician, you have not disappointed us. As Governor, you are the champion of unity in Akwa Ibom State. You could very well be a unifier.”

Despite rumours that this birth-hands and fatherly gesture can also unbiased precede a crossover to APC, Governor Eno affirms that his rapprochement with APC political appointees and working carefully with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu makes honest commerce sense, because it would yield fruits and democratic dividends for the impart and its of us. Collaboration and cooperation trump difference any day for the astute entrepreneur.

The dividends of this relative peace are in actuality evident as he is making wide strides in agri-commerce, rural constructing, infrastructural renewal, education and extra, without traducing his predecessors. In rural constructing and street constructing, the governor has continued initiatives started by the closing administration and initiated his dangle in all 31 native executive areas.

Statistics show conceal that over 280 kilometers of street are ongoing, with some performed and commissioned sooner than his first anniversary. On memoir of the quantum of initiatives, some now name him “Mr. Projects Expert Max.”

Some of the street initiatives brought to fore his responsive and empathetic leadership style. Hang for example the 1.3 kilometers underground concrete flood adjust and reconstruction of a section of Atiku Abubakar Blueprint, Uyo, total with walkway, drainage, and photograph voltaic street lights. After receiving a tip about the street’s flood-ravaged impart from a fervent citizen, he verified it for my part and awarded a contract for its immediate reconstruction to forestall a recurrence by the following wet season. The street has since been performed and became commissioned by old style President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

Governor Eno’s empathy shines through his actions. Moved by the inflation biting the land, he established the Akwa Ibom Bulk Buy Company wherein a Food Voucher scheme was launched. Beneficiaries chosen from the current National Social Register now receive 5kg bags of rice, beans, and garri. Emphasizing that the meals voucher programme is a stopgap, he has begun an aggressive “Attend to Farm” programme, where the state is supporting farmers and requiring political leaders to participate in agri-commerce.

To show his seriousness, he is constructing his own farm too while declaring every first and third Friday of the month as work-free days to enable civil servants to engage in farming. Needless to say, one cannot forget his partnership with Songhai Farms. A Model Farm is already sprouting in Nsit Ubium LGA.

Governor Eno consistently states that his mantra is building from the bottom up and touching the poorest of the poor.

Another proof of that is the ARISE Shelter Initiative, fondly called ARISE Properties. In the first phase, 100 poor people across the 31 LGAs will be given brand-new 2-bedroom properties.

His mannequin Most essential Properly being Centre initiatives are a lullaby to rural dwellers. These centres be pleased consulting rooms, a theatre, doctors, nurses, matrons and quarters, a laboratory, ICT and records unit, a unusual kitchen, photograph voltaic-powered electrical energy, a standby generator, and 214 medical equipment and consumables. To make it probably for unbiased staffing, 200 extra medical examiners are to be recruited.

Furthermore, he initiated medical outreach programmes in the three senatorial districts which reached thousands, with hundreds of surgeries and therapies performed on-site.

Ensuring peace is also the motivation for building goodwill with organised labour, rather than offering many perks for workers, he has allocated over N18 billion for gratuities, leave grants and pensions.

People living with disabilities have not been overlooked, with a N100 million facility for students and grants of N250,000 per undergraduate and N300,000 for postgraduate students.

Working out his rags-to-riches narrative, Governor Eno in fact cares about helping people build a better life. This mindset led to the establishment of the Ibom Management and Entrepreneurial Style Centre. Through its Entrepreneurship Accelerator Programme (EAP), the government has trained 800 budding entrepreneurs and given them N400 million in grants. His goal is to train 5,000 entrepreneurs before the end of his tenure, with N2.5 billion in grants. The economic impact of this could well be substantial.

In addition, he has also established the state-of-the-art Dakkada Talents Acquisition Centers (DASAC), reputed to be the first of its kind in Nigeria. This facility, which now has a governing council, will train people in various skills including agri-commerce, woodwork, plumbing, ICT, tailoring and many others.

Governor Eno wants to equip youths with resources to earn their own income and help others, rather than wait for handouts.

In just one year, Akwa Ibom is indeed progressing. As a matter of fact, Governor Umo Eno has shown competence, capacity, and character. He has pursued his economic blueprint, the ARISE Agenda, with such gusto without borrowing a single kobo. So, describing him as the new face of Nigerian politics is not enough; we can also rightly call him “Mr. Performer.”

Effiong, a Senior Special Assistant to Governor Eno, writes from Lagos.