Governor Umo Eno – Leading for Posterity, Not Applause

Governor Umo Eno – Leading for Posterity, Not Applause

By Aniebiet Francis

How did we end up in a society where clout often trumps clarity and misinformation spreads faster than facts? It has become too common for social media personalities to peddle half-truths and outright falsehoods for views and validation. A recent outburst by a content creator known as “Local Man” is the latest example, a reckless and uninformed tirade that targeted the person and office of Governor Umo Eno, abusing him and accusing him of frivolously sharing billions of naira with indigenes in the name of a cash transfer programme.

The cash transfer initiative he referenced is a Federal Government scheme, part of the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP), designed to offer support to Nigeria’s poorest and most vulnerable. The beneficiaries were not selected by the Akwa Ibom State Government, but through the existing National Social Register, developed and maintained by the federal authorities. Governor Umo Eno’s role in the process was not that of initiator or funder, but of a responsible leader who, in line with his values, provided institutional support to ensure smooth implementation for the benefit of selected Akwa Ibom indigenes.

To misconstrue this federally-funded and implemented humanitarian intervention as a state-funded “waste of billions” is either a willful manipulation or a worrying demonstration of ignorance.

Governor Eno is not a man driven by popularity contests. His vision is rooted in sustainability, structure, and impact. He is focused on institutional development, rural revitalization, agricultural expansion, healthcare improvement, and human capital development, social welfare, real work, not optics. Pastor Umo Eno is building a legacy, not chasing clout.

This is a Governor that has deployed over ₦5.1 billion in direct empowerment to traders, farmers, artisans, and young entrepreneurs through federal constituency-based town hall engagements.

Through the Ibom Leadership and Entrepreneurial Development Centre (Ibom LED), several young people are undergoing trainings in business development, leadership, and financial literacy. More than 2000 youths have graduated from this scheme. Each graduand empowered with cash ranging from Five hundred Thousand naira to Seven Hundred and fifty thousand naira respectively. Simultaneously, more youths are being trained at the Dakadda Skills Acquisition Centre (DAKSAC) which has been positioned to offer practical, market-relevant skills in different sectors. After the initial graduation of 200 youths in the first batch of the scheme, more opportunities are gearing up for the next batch.

Beyond attracting the Bank of Industry to Akwa Ibom State and setting aside N2billion as State’s counterpart seed in the financial institution, the Umo Eno is empowering business men through the Arise Entrepreneurial Support Scheme, while farmers also receive a boost through the Arise Farmers Initiative of the administration.

This administration is currently undertaking the construction and rehabilitation of critical rural roads that link farming communities, schools, markets, and healthcare centres. This effort is not just infrastructural it’s economic and humanitarian.

Strategically located modern model schools are being equipped with ICT labs, science classrooms, libraries, and secure learning environments. Ensuring that children, regardless of background, have access to quality education that prepares them for global competitiveness.

To ensure that healthcare is accessible, affordable, reliable and responsive to the need of every Akwa Ibom resident, Primary Health Centres are being revived across the state, and ambulance services have been deployed to improve emergency response and referrals.

In the ARISE Compassionate Social Investment Programme, widows, orphans, persons with disabilities, the elderly, and the extremely poor are receiving targeted support food, medical care, rent assistance, and sometimes even shelter renovations. This is governance with a human face, rooted in compassion, not showmanship.

Sadly, people who equate silence with incompetence, will miss the essence of true leadership in Governor Umo Eno . His governance style may lack the theatrics that excite influencers, but it overflows with quiet, impactful results that are reaching real people in real time. His policies are strategic, people-focused, and future-forward. In less than two years, he has redefined governance from a game of grandstanding to a mission of service.

It is unfortunate that a man who is carefully laying the foundation for a debt-free, opportunity-rich Akwa Ibom is being maligned by a few who neither understand the process of governance nor respect the patience required for legacy building.

Thankfully, many citizens of Akwa Ibom are beginning to see the clear direction and measurable impact of this administration and from all indications, posterity will judge him kindly.

I end with this: Dear critics, do your research, check your facts, and understand the difference between federal programmes and state policy. More importantly, recognize that true leadership often wears the garment of quiet diligence, not dramatic display.

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