Former Nigerian President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan said that Akwa Ibom State has been blessed with choice leaders as governors over four consecutive dispensations.
Jonathan, who stated this at the special thanksgiving held at the International Worship Centre in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital, on Wednesday, to mark Governor Umo Eno’s 60th birthday anniversary, extolled the incumbent, Pastor Umo Eno, as apparently demonstrating focus and ingenuity in less than a year in office.
Joined him at the thanksgiving service were wife of the Senate President, Unoma; Obong Godswill Akpabio, former governor of the state, Mr Udom Emmanuel , Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Obongemem Ekperikpe Ekpo and other Nigerians and Akwa Ibom dignitaries.
The former President congratulated Governor Eno on his 60th birthday and for attainment of outstanding feat in governance within his first few months in office, making particular reference to the model primary schools he visited, the 3-in-1 Atiku Abubakar erosion reclamation projects he commissioned earlier in the day and other life-touching projects he has seen in the state during his visit.
The one-time Nigerian Vice President, therefore posting that a governor does not need to complete first four years to prove his worth to the people as a great leader, said Governor Eno has justified his mandate by the choice people to work with, initiation and completion of need-based projects and programmes, including inherited ones, in less than a year in office.
According to him, the model for primary schools in the state, he saw at the Christ the King Primary School he visit clearly pictures Governor Umo Eno’s vision for Education in Akwa Ibom State.
In his words, “I must say one thing, not because Udom is here, from Victor Attah down to the current Governor, Akwa Ibom have chosen people that are focused. The Governor we are celebrating today is focused.
“In the first 100 days, you can assess somebody by the calibre of the people he has appointed to work with him, with competent characters and policies. By the time it gets to one year, what I call the house clearing jobs, how he fared with some of the projects that they inherited and the projects that are critically important to the welfare of the people.”
“With you, the little I have seen, I am quite confident you will do very well and you will be a good example and somebody that the church will be proud of. So, I join every other person celebrate and congratulate you on your 60th birthday. May God continue to give you the wisdom and the understanding to handle to state affairs,” the former President stated.
The Senate President and former governor of the state, Senator Godswill Akpabio, represented by his wife, Unoma, congratulated Governor Eno on his attainment of the diamond jubilee and prayed for God’s blessings of good health, sound mind upon him and direction for his administration in the state.
Also, immediate past governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, in his goodwill message, expressed gratitude to God for the life of Governor Umo Eno at 60.
He opined that his life encounters so far must have been a preparation to bring him to where he is today, urging him to make the most of his season of foresight, which is now, and continue to build a harmonious focused and balanced Akwa Ibom.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Obongemem Ekpo, on his part, described Governor Umo Eno as the champion of Akwa Ibom unity, who has not only lived up to his calling as Pastor, but has also shown himself as a people-centric leader, thereby making the church proud.
The celebrator, Governor Umo Eno, in his response to the numerous good wishes and accolades, expressed his deepest gratitude to God for taking him and his family through the various phases of life to prominence.
Eno said he was happy especially to have surpassed his father’s 50th years’ age mark and Akwa Ibom people for giving him a chance, reaffirming his pledge to serve Akwa Ibom people with utmost humility and penchant for unity.
The Governor thanked former President Jonathan for honouring him with his presence at the event as Special Guest of Honour, particularly expressing appreciation to the immediate past governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, for standing by him through all the rigours of politics to becoming his successor, as well as the penultimate past governor and President of the 10th Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio and former Governor Victor Attah, whom he described as grandfather of the present Akwa Ibom State.
In his words, “you know, the history of Akwa Ibom is like, Attah begat Akpabio, Akpabio begat Udom Emmanuel and Udom Emmanuel begat Umo Eno; that is the genealogy of Akwa Ibom and we thank God.
Governor Umo Eno marking his 60th birth anniversary
“We can work together; we can stay across party lines and we can work harmoniously because when there is a problem, we will not be able to gather like this. For me, this is the greatest testimony after my health, after my wife’s health and after my children and grand children. The fact that Akwa Ibom State is united and we are making progress is a great testimony.”
