With three decades and eight years of Statehood, Akwa Ibom ranks among Nigeria’s fastest-growing destinations of excellence in most sectors.
It all began on September 23, 1987, when the foundation of statehood was established via the carving out of Akwa Ibom from Cross River State by the Military Administration of General Ibrahim Babangida.
From day one, the State has been blessed with forward-thinking leaders who have had the rare privilege of piloting the affairs of the State and steering the ship of state in the right direction, whether during the military rule or the democratic dispensation.
The leadership journey started with Military Administrators – Colonel Tunde Ogbeha (1987-1988), Colonel Godwin Abbe (1988-1990), Wing Cdr. Idongesit Nkanga – the very first son of the soil to lead the State (1990-1992) and then a short democratic experience that produced the ever-vivacious Obong Akpan Isemin as the first democratically elected Governor of Akwa Ibom State (1992- 1993).
Following the disruption of the democratic era in 1993 by the General Sani Abacha regime, leadership again returned to the hands of ‘Milads’ with Lt. Col. Yakubu Bako taking over between 1993 and 1996. Navy Captain Joseph Adeusi (1996-1998), and Group Captain John Ebiye (1998-1999) completed that cycle of military rule leading to the return of democracy in 1999 when Obong Victor Attah, the man commonly referenced as the Father of the Modern-Day Akwa Ibom State held sway as Governor between 1999-2007, laying a solid foundation for the development of the State. The trajectory continued to the Godswill Akpabio “uncommon transformation” era between 2007 and 2015.
The Udom Emmanuel legacies in 2015, which came with a redefined philosophy – DAKKADA, aimed at awakening the giants in Akwa Ibom people. It bears necessary stating that the strides recorded by these successive leaders at different times they had the privilege to sit at the Hilltop Mansion are what have shaped Akwa Ibom State to its present glory.
What’s more? The trajectory is getting more glorious with the Golden Era of Pastor Umo Bassey Eno. Today, time and season beckon, and in two years and four months since Pastor Eno came on board as the fourth democratically elected Governor of Akwa Ibom State, he has evolved a new blueprint for the rapid development of the State. The diligent implementation of the ARISE Agenda, which has become a model for sustainable growth and development beyond the borders of the State, is a testament to the pragmatic leadership style of the present governor, Pastor Umo Eno.
As Akwa Ibom State marks her 38th year of statehood, we have been blessed with great and visionary leaders, each building on sustainable legacies, laudable impacts, and giving value to society with good governance.
The development of Akwa Ibom State, currently under Pastor Umo Eno, has been carefully guided by a well-articulated compilation and detailed implementation of the ARISE Agenda, along with sectoral needs, which continues to attract rave reviews and accolades.
At 38, the establishment of model schools across the 31 Local Government Areas, with state-of-the-art learning facilities, a good ambience for learning and better welfare package for teachers, is a strong motivation for our youngsters to fulfil their educational aspirations and walk the paths of their careers.
The completion of quality roads in hundreds of kilometres across the State, consciously designed to connect those in the rural areas and boost socio-economic activities from rural to urban areas, is yet another milestone of the Pastor Umo Eno administration.
Also, the ongoing health sector reforms, as captured in the recent declaration of a State-of-Emergency for the next 12 months with priority attention to overhaul primary health care across the local government areas, are another well-intentioned act of good governance. Besides all these, the Ibom International Hospital, with its proposed specialised services, will, upon completion, open a new medical corridor, complementing the Ibom Specialist Hospital as well as the Elderly People’s Home. All these deliberate interventions and many others still at the conception stage will obviously position Akwa Ibom State as a destination for quality health service delivery.
At 38, Sports under Governor Umo Eno has been a harvest of victories. The reintroduction of the Governor’s Cup competition, hosting of the first ever Niger Delta Games, the Zonal elimination of the National Youth Games, and the successful participation of Team Akwa Ibom at the National Youth Games with a top ten finish, are fares added by this administration to better and transform the subsector.
It is noteworthy that for over 14 years, there were no approvals for the purchase of sports equipment, but the present administration has changed that narrative with the acquisition of new sports equipment. Beyond these, the successful hosting of the just concluded maiden Akwa Ibom State Sports Festival with futuristic prospects, the creation of a standalone Sports Ministry, and sustaining the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium as the home of the Super Eagles, have made the State the first choice for sports tourism in Nigeria.
The aviation sector remains our pride in the development of the State, as Ibom Air continues to expand its fleet with a record-breaking revenue, timeliness in satisfactory service delivery to customers, and now rated as Nigeria’s best airline.
Tourism has been given the greatest attention in the 38 years of the Statehood of Akwa Ibom under the Governor Umo Eno administration. There are projects completed to boost tourism, including the Amphitheatre at the Unity Park, where the State Christmas Carols are held, and the “Christmas Unplugged” with Season 3:0 loading this December. The reactivation of historical sites across the State, the Tourism Summit coming up, and the biggest of them all, the unveiling of the ARISE Park in December 2025, will be the biggest tourist attraction in Nigeria.
The greatest legacy Akwa Ibom State celebrates at 38, is the unity, peace, togetherness and love that Pastor Umo Eno has brought to chart a progressive synergy with the Federal Government for more attention and commitment to our various needs.
The novel idea of a Town Square Meeting across the ten federal constituencies in the State has not only brought governance closer to the people and receiving their requests (inputs) for more democratic dividends, but also serve as a platform that will guide the State Government in the preparation and presentation of the 2026 Peoples Budget estimates later this year to the State House of Assembly.
The commitment to a stronger data-driven economy in all sectors remains commendable under the Pastor Umo Eno administration, as it continues to guide the formulation and implementation of government policies. The commitment to workers’ welfare with the new minimum wage, payment of gratuities and a peaceful working relationship with the Labour workforce for greater efficiency and productivity are reckoning milestones in Akwa Ibom State. Likewise, there is synergy with the Legislature and Judiciary.
In the areas of security, agricultural renaissance and infrastructural upgrade, the massive revolutionary strides of the Ibom Model Farms and other food sufficiency programmes; the revamping of the Ibom Convention Centre, Ibom Hotel, ongoing Luxury Estate, the signing of the Electricity Law and Summit, which has positioned the State for her industrial growth and socio- economic leap with affordable and universal access to electricity-for-all-residents, kick-starts a comprehensive march in achieving sustainable development and growth.
The prudent management of financial resources without any external borrowing since the Umo Eno administration came on board is a very deserving trademark that is holding up a prosperous future for generations.
The overwhelming endorsements of the governor for a second term in Office, global and national recognitions and awards from reputable institutions, and his inclusive leadership are a clear acceptance of a renewed mandate at the polls in 2027 for another four years, with more opportunities for more achievements.
Today, Akwa Ibom State shines at 38 under the leadership of Pastor Umo Eno, and in fulfillment of the vision of our forebears, a united Akwa Ibom State has come to birth that we may speak with one voice, in strength and unity, to build that future we own and cherish.
At 38, Pastor Umo Eno is leading Akwa Ibom State to new heights in governance and in development. He is concertedly etching Akwa Ibom on the global Hall of Fame of States that have chosen to demystify governance in its truest form.
Therefore, as we continue to march to greatness, with the ARISE Agenda on course, Akwa Ibom State is indeed rising exponentially and will continue to rise to the chasm of development.
Happy anniversary, Akwa Ibom State!
- Comrade Etuk is the immediate past chairman of the Akwa Ibom State council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists.