“Promises Made and Promises Fulfilled, Onward to Arise 2.0.”
Governor Umo Eno has declared that his administration has fulfilled the major promises made to the people of Akwa Ibom State over the past three years and is ready to launch a new phase of development under the Arise 2.0 agenda.
Speaking during his third anniversary address at Government House, Uyo, on May 29, 2026, Eno said his administration had recorded significant achievements across agriculture, infrastructure, healthcare, education, aviation, tourism, housing and youth empowerment.
The governor, who titled his speech “Promises Made and Promises Fulfilled, Onward to Arise 2.0,” thanked Akwa Ibom people for their support, prayers and confidence in his administration.
“I make bold to state unequivocally that we have ticked all the boxes and are rearing to do even more when, by the Grace of God, you return me for another four-year tour of duty next year,” he said.
Eno credited the successes recorded by his administration to the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senate President Godswill Obot Akpabio, saying federal reforms had increased resources available to sub-national governments for development projects.
The governor also thanked stakeholders, civil servants, religious leaders, youths, women, traditional rulers and members of the media for their contributions to the state’s progress.
Agriculture, Rural Development Receive Major Attention
Highlighting achievements in agriculture, Eno said the state recently launched an Oil Palm Tree Crop Revolution aimed at restoring Akwa Ibom’s status as a leading oil palm-producing state.
He noted that the government had also established an Agricultural Equipment Leasing Company to provide subsidised farm equipment to farmers and distributed N2 billion in grants, seedlings and farming implements.
According to him, the administration has focused on opening up rural communities through road construction, wet markets, healthcare centres and model primary schools.
He disclosed that the state recently approved N7.3 billion to support women cooperative societies across the 369 wards in the state, with each ward expected to benefit from solar-powered borehole projects in partnership with GIFA.
Road Infrastructure Expands Across State
The governor said his administration had either completed or commenced work on approximately 1,300 kilometres of roads and 40 bridges across the state.
He explained that the projects were designed to improve connectivity, facilitate economic activities and enhance access to rural communities.
Education Sector Records Growth
In education, Eno said the state had sustained its free and compulsory education policy for primary and secondary school pupils while continuing to pay bursaries and grants to students and tertiary institutions.
He announced that the Akwa Ibom College of Education, Afaha Nsit, had been upgraded to a University of Education following legislative approval.
The governor also revealed that 1,000 teachers had already been recruited, while another 1,000 would soon be employed.
He further disclosed plans to establish three model secondary schools equipped with modern facilities across the state’s three senatorial districts.
Healthcare, Insurance Coverage Expanded
On healthcare, the governor said his administration had recruited 2,854 health workers and enrolled more than 200,000 residents into the state’s health insurance scheme.
He added that work was ongoing on a 350-bed Ibom International Hospital, alongside the construction and renovation of primary healthcare facilities across the 31 local government areas.
Tourism, Aviation Projects Gather Momentum
Eno said tourism remained a key pillar of his administration’s economic diversification agenda.
He announced that the Arise Palm Resort was nearing completion and would soon be commissioned, alongside other tourism assets including the International Convention Centre, Ibom Hotels and the Arise Shopping City Centre.
In the aviation sector, the governor highlighted the state’s maiden international flight from the new terminal to Accra, Ghana, and disclosed that two CRJ900 Bombardier aircraft had been acquired for Ibom Air.
He also revealed plans to add an Airbus A220-300 aircraft to the airline’s fleet later this year as preparations continue for international flight operations.
Gratuities, Youth Empowerment Programmes
The governor said his administration inherited over N111 billion in unpaid gratuities and related obligations dating back to 2012.
According to him, more than N83 billion of the backlog has been paid, with efforts ongoing to clear the remaining balance before the end of his first term.
He added that over N6 billion had been disbursed through grants and empowerment programmes targeting youths, farmers and small business owners.
Eno also highlighted the recent launch of a Youth Development Centre in Oron Local Government Area, describing it as part of efforts to equip young people with digital, creative and entrepreneurial skills.
Deep Seaport, Housing and Power Projects
The governor said the Federal Government had recently granted approvals relating to certification and compliance processes for the proposed Ibom Deep Seaport project.
He expressed optimism that the long-awaited project would become a reality with continued support from stakeholders.
On housing, Eno disclosed that his administration had delivered more than 1,048 housing units through various schemes, including Compassionate Homes, Aviation Village, Medical Village, Judiciary Village and Legislative Village projects.
He also said efforts were ongoing to improve electricity supply and expand off-grid solutions to rural communities.
Arise 2.0 Targets 85 New Projects
Looking ahead, Eno unveiled the Arise 2.0 development blueprint, which he said would guide governance and development between 2027 and 2031.
The governor said the next phase of his administration would focus on completing 85 additional strategic projects across key sectors.
“We will take into consideration the things that you so desire that we bring into governance, and we guarantee that it will form our step-by-step blueprint,” he said.
As political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 elections, Eno urged politicians and supporters to embrace issue-based campaigns and avoid divisive politics.
“Politics will come and go but the spirit and bond of our brotherhood will remain unbroken by the temporary passion of partisan politics,” he said.
Reaffirming his commitment to inclusive governance, the governor stated that he had remained a governor for all Akwa Ibom people and pledged to continue promoting peace, unity and development in the state.
