Day Governor Umo Eno Received “24-Hour” Police Commissioner, Ezra Obareki

Day Governor Umo Eno Received “24-Hour” Police Commissioner, Ezra Obareki

Friday August 1, 2025 was a rainy day. Like most rainy days, many were reluctant to step out of their homes and offices.

Not so for Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno. His itinerary as usual was full to the brim. It was the day he was billed to commission the ultra-modern Auditorium of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Akwa Ibom State Council, and present brand new cars to members of the State Working Committee of the union.

At about 2pm, the Governor, in his well tailored sky blue long sleeve traditional attire, with other fitting accessories, majestically alighted from the aircraft, having traveled the previous day for some official engagements outside the State, and was warmly received by members of his close team.

As the convoy was about to zoom off the airport, the radio gave a familiar announcement indicating that the convoy was heading to 25 Nwaniba Road, Uyo for the commissioning of Blugrin Fabrics Stores, a private clothing company.

CP Ezra Obareki with Governor Umo Eno

Few minutes later when the convoy moved again, everyone had expected the Governor to head straight to the NUJ Secretariat, but the security radio announced a different destination, his office.

With the curiosity of a Journalist, laced with some preemptive disappointment that His Excellency would no longer attend the NUJ (my primary constituency) event, I reached out to some members of the team to ask, “O’boy what’s happening, are we going to the office ? “Yes. Oga is receiving the New Commissioner of police in his office,” I was told.

This answer was shocking because I wasn’t aware of any transfer of the State Police Commissioner. However, like a typical Nigerian, I just concluded it was another political season where such changes are expected.

“They want to transfer this Commissioner that has shown good faith, commitment and laudable synergy with other security agencies, with a resultant peaceful State?,” I soliloquized.

As our convoy stopped in front of the Governor’s office, and His Excellency, the Governor alighted, I noticed a little above the usual security and protocol razzmatazz. The Governor flanked by his Deputy, Senator Akon Eyakenyi; the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah; other members of the State EXCO and support staff were looking at the direction of the gate, typically, with minds set to receive a very important personality.

As usual, I stood quietly beside my immediate boss, the Chief Press Secretary, Mr Ekerette Udoh.

Few minutes later, a Toyota Prado SUV drove in accompanied by some backup vehicles with the usual security “efizzy.”
No way for NUJ again, I concluded in my haste, and imagined how my Chairman, as he then was, Comrade Amos Etuk would feel.

Though I was dampened in my spirit, as one of the service boys in the media team, I still carried on with my duties, alerting some of my co-labourers to do their bit. “Please set the camera? Where is Uwem?.” As usual, everything was set to roll.

Slowly, the vehicle which was befitting of the status of the expected visitor arrived. The Governor and his team moved close, and one of the Governor’s security aides assisted with opening of the rear door of the vehicle.

Behold, when the VIP stepped down, it turned out to be a young smiling boy, “CP” Ezra Obareki!

He was attired like a Police Commissioner, with all the steez and elegance.

You are welcome Sir, the Governor said in his usual humble style, and then introduced members of his team to him one after another.

The Governor took the guest round his office and painstakingly explained each of the facilities and their usage. Though I couldn’t quite understand what was happening, I held my cool in order not to embarrass my generation.

After about 20 minutes of going up, coming down and moving round, the young Commissioner who was accompanied by his parents, Mr. Onoriode Obareki and wife, Lady Helen, the Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, returned to his vehicle and zoomed off.

Upon enquiry, it was gathered that the special visitor’s school observed its annual Career’s day, and as usual, different pupils dressed according to their desired career.

Ezra who had always admired and loved the dressing of police officers in his grandfather’s team, and possibly, through the photographs of his late grandfather who was a Superintendent of Police, decided to dress like a senior police officer, chosing the epaulette of the CP. After the event, he desired to visit a police station to see what they do as well as check out those in detention.

Through the intervention of the Chief Security Officer to the Governor, the “Original” Commissioner of Police in the State, Baba Mohammed Azare, invited Ezra to his office, an invitation he honoured and there, he perfectly represented his family, the First family in the State.

It was after the visit to CP Azare that he booked an appointment to visit the State Governor before the 24 hours elapsed, and His Excellency gladly received him with the deserved compliments.

As a matter of fact, Governor Umo Eno has been so fond of children, and is doing everything in his power to mentor the next generation. At different occasions, he has breached protocol to stop and carry some babies and also, to address children and encourage them to be focused and responsible.

Many children have received blessings of different kinds, including that which you are thinking of right now.

We hope that the grand reception by the Governor as well as that of the Commissioner of Police would sustain Ezra’s desire to eventually join the service, as Anna Eleanor Roosevelt, an American political figure, diplomat, and activist, rightly said, “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”

Meanwhile, the Governor still kept to all his appointments for the day, including the NUJ event where he was celebrated as media-friendly Governor of the Year by the President, Alhassan Yahya Abdullahi.

© Anthony Udoh