Victor Attah International Airport and Gov Umo Eno’s Impressive Interpretation of the Vision

Victor Attah International Airport and Gov Umo Eno’s Impressive Interpretation of the Vision

By Pastor Ephraim Inyang

If you are sincere and familiar with the storyline of what is today the Victor Attah International Airport (VAIA), Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, you would not fail to commend His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, PhD, for his focus and pragmatic adherence to the principle of continuum in governance that has translated into what the airport is today.

While we directly or indirectly have shared in the cumulative outcomes, reaching this moment in the history of the airport easily reminds us of the existentialist patterns of growth: who planted, who watered, and who made it grow over the years. That Akwa Ibom today boasts of Ibom Air, international terminal, and an international status crowns the development dynamics and expansionist dreams of the airport. Indeed, when the vision is right, the masses benefit!

My contextual usage of the word “continuum” in this essay clearly mirrors the relay race experience the three past governors of the State and the incumbent have had on the evolution of this airport. The potent seed and groundbreaking for the Akwa Ibom Airport (as it then was called) was sown by Arc. Obong Victor Attah in 2006. The first phase of construction started in earnest in 2007 under the leadership of Senator Godswill Akpabio and the airport opened officially on September 23, 2009, with Arik Air launching its maiden flight to Lagos on Wednesday, December 2, 2009.

Subsequently, the airport was renamed from Akwa Ibom Airport to Victor Attah International Airport by former governor Udom Emmanuel on November 24, 2018, in deference to Obong Attah’s 80th birthday. To align it with emerging realties, Udom Emmanuel it was who started the international terminal which he did not completely complete before quitting office. Now, Umo Eno has finished it as designed. Perhaps Mr. Udom Emmanuel’s most momentous swansong gift was Ibom Air, first state-owned commercial airline in the country, with its maiden flight from Uyo to Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on June 7, 2019. It sooner became a fleet!

The relay race continued. The Umo Eno era has added fresher historical dimensions to the success story of the airport. The icing on the cake is the granting of full international status to the airport in November 2025, complemented by a maiden international flight to Accra, Ghana, on May 2, 2026.

The Umo Eno administration has effected massive structural overhaul and infrastructural upgrade at the airport, including the second runway, one of the very best I’ve seen so far; apron expansion; and fantastic arrivals and departure halls with the best accessories. For more effective management and deliverables, the governor also created the Ministry of Aviation and Airport. I’m told government has also sponsored pilots and other personnel on training, initiated the aviation village, hospital, modern security surveillance systems, etc, all to add value.

It is my position that, as is very common elsewhere in the country, Pastor Umo Eno could have chosen to manufacture some sophistic excuses not to continue from where he met the airport. Instead, he foresaw the future and sound reasons to expand the footprints towards bigger destinations. This way, the vision and value of the airport are preserved, maintained, and sustained.

Because the evidence is not farfetched but is overwhelmingly realistic, I can argue that the Victor Attah International Airport, as it stands presently, is the best in the country – more contemporary, more functional, more spacious and accommodating, and with latest structural aesthetics.

Amidst challenges and what the future holds, I must say that Akwa Ibom has been blessed with a lineage of visionary leaders, all of whom have left peculiar landmarks to perpetuate their times. The VAIA is one example of continuity and priority that outlives tenures and times.

Let me also commend Umo Eno for showing gratitude and paying tributes to his predecessors with regards to the progressive phases of development at the airport. At every inauguration or inspection of projects he either has completed or is pushing beyond where he met it, I have noticed how he humbly acknowledges the past. This is commendable and worthy of emulation because, in all fairness, no one person could do it all alone.

The fine reports by renowned personalities and organizations on the current status of the Victor Attah International Airport cannot be any exaggeration or sycophancy. This must be emphasized. For the two times I’ve travelled through the airport recently, added to my experience at other airports in the country and across the world, I can say without any sentiments that the VAIA is not just one of the best but the very best in Nigeria presently. From the therapeutic ambiance to safety consciousness to facility to customer care to flight time promptitude, the airport safely fits into the mold of International Best Standards.

Although there is still much to be done to advance this breakthrough, VAIA is a textbook proof of vision effectively interpreted by successive leaders for altruistic purposes. Even the most acerbic cynic would not fail to applaud the current status of this airport.

It is therefore my advice that this is no time for parochial revisionism, mud-slinging and spinning of conspiracy theories out of ignorance, mischief, or political reasons. For instance, the trending arguments on former governor Udom’s purported absence at certain ceremonies at the airport or his not acknowledging current developments therein are all irrelevant – and inconsequential. We should stop criticizing for criticizing sake or creating valleys where there should be none.

It must be mentioned that aviation business is not a ride in the park. It thrives on huge investments and strong mindset that can weather the storm. I therefore would advise His Excellency to do everything within his power not lose focus on his plans for the airport.

In solidarity and appreciation for what’s going on presently, I should love to make the following recommendations. One, now that two of the loading hangars have been completed, His Excellency should work on the remaining three, so as to bring in more airlines, including the Boeing models. That way, Ibom Air shall extend her tentacles to more countries beyond the West Africa subregion.

Two, other airlines should be admitted or partnered with to increase the traffic and revenue for the airport for effective maintenance of facilities. Three, this is an opportunity for the governor to redesign the old terminal building to accommodate private aircrafts, so that the place would not be completely abandoned. Four, there is need to fully complete the airport especially the three remaining boarding gates.

My grand summary is that, for bringing us now much closer to the extant vision and expectations of Akwa Ibom people for the airport, Governor Eno truly deserves commendation and support. People shouldn’t indulge in twisting narratives to gratify mere sentiments. The fact remains that the beauty of the Victor Attah International Airport is too obvious to be denied. Congratulations to His Excellency! Congratulations Akwa Ibom people!

Pastor Inyangeyen writes from Abuja.