Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno said none of his Personal Assistants (PAs) earns less than N1 million monthly, in reaction to concerns about the remuneration his political aides collect.
Speaking during a Town Square Meeting with the people of Ikono and Ini Federal Constituency at Ibiaku Ntok Okpo, Governor Eno expressed displeasure over comments by some aides complaining about their earnings.
The Governor praised his Personal Assistant on Protocol, Blessed Essien, for using part of his remuneration to fund a water borehole project for his community.
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As a reward, the Governor announced Essien’s elevation to the position of Special Assistant (SA) on Public Works.
Comparing Essien’s action to other appointees, Governor Eno said, “I received a brochure about a PA who used part of his earnings to construct and reticulate a borehole in his village. That’s commendable. But others with similar opportunities are not engaging their communities meaningfully.”
He added, “Let it be clear: no Personal Assistant to the Governor earns less than one million naira monthly. It’s misleading to describe such as a ‘stipend.’ That’s substantial income, and I expect transparency and accountability from all political appointees.”
Governor Eno further directed the Secretary to the State Government to compile and publish a list of all political appointees, categorized by local government areas, in a national newspaper.
Encouraging constituents to engage their representatives, he said, “Ask your PAs, your SAs, SSAs, and Commissioners — what have they done for your communities?”
He concluded by reaffirming the importance of performance and responsibility in public office, stating that Essien’s promotion was a direct result of visible impact.
Meanwhile, 476 persons in Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency were empowered with over N239 million as farming, trading, and equipment grants.
The cheques for the empowerment packages were presented to beneficiaries at the Town Square Meeting for the Federal Constituency held at Ibiaku Ntok Okpo, Thursday, August 21, 2025.
In his remark , the Governor noted that the beneficiaries were qualified citizens of the Federal Constituency who had registered through the ARISE Youth Employment portal, and were duly selected.
He called on everyone to embrace the digital method of getting jobs, empowerment and other government contracts, adding that it was imperative to do things differently to provide a level playing field for everyone in order to accommodate those who have no one to recommend them.
The Governor noted that his administration was touching lives and raising men and women who have the requisite capacity, are willing to work, and have registered on the ARISE portal.
“We have empowered our young people in Ikono and INI, and one of them is your son, U &K. I didn’t know he is an INI son. So as we see capacity, we continue to encourage it. We will encourage our young people regardless of where they come from. I love everybody, I am Governor for Akwa Ibom State. What I want to see is capacity. Show me that you are ready. When you have a small job, do it and be ready for more. The Bible says, “He that is faithful in little, shall recieve more.
“Let me speak to the young people of Akwa Ibom. We have a portal. The economy of the world today is based on data, and we must be able to show statistics of what any government has done. In God we trust, but for man, show us your data.
“We have opened portals for almost everything; procurement, employment, bursary and we are paying those who have registered. For Ikono and INI, we have empowered 476 of you with the total sum of N239, 150, 000. All their names and phone numbers are here. You can call them. You can find out. These people registered on the portal. Don’t let anybody deceive you, if you don’t register on the portal, nothing for you.
“Any student, or graduate that doesn’t know how to use computer is deceiving himself or herself. In the forthcoming screening, we are going to use computer, and as you finish, you see your result,” he said.
Explaining the reasons for his people – centric governance disposition, he said, “I became a Governor by the grace of God, by the instrumentality of Deacon Udom Emmanuel and I did not know anybody. If we were looking for people to be Governor in this State, I would not have chosen myself, but it is the grace of God that chose me. Now, having been brought by the grace of God, I must allow that same grace to reach other people who do not know anybody.
“You must be able to apply without knowing the Governor, without knowing the Deputy Governor or knowing the Secretary to the State Government and you get a job. That is my mission. Anyone waiting for slots is wasting time. Go to the portal and apply, and when you are invited, answer the questions well and get the jobs or contract.
“I want those who have nobody to benefit from my programmes.I was sent to those who have no one. If it was by having someone, I wouldn’t be here today. God passed through Deacon Udom Emmanuel who stood by me. So I will also stand by others who have no one. I met a young engineer who is working at our Agricultural equipment leasing project, and I asked her: how did you get the job? She said she applied on the portal and they gave her. Those are the testimonies I want to get. So young people, support groups go to the portal, if you are qualified, they would pay you and it reflects in your group.
Stressing on his determination to run a true democracy, he said, “Let us for once run a government of the people, by the people and for the people which is democracy. So that people who have nobody can become somebody. Don’t let anyone deceive you with special projects or others, because we are all special.”
