When a Golden Governor’s Ardent Foot-soldier Hits the Golden Age

When a Golden Governor’s Ardent Foot-soldier Hits the Golden Age

_A 50th birthday tribute to the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mkpisong Frank Archibong, who is apparently one of Governor Umo Eno’s most reliable armour-bearers in the fields of politics and governance_

By Inemesit Ina

From all indications, Mkpisong Frank Archibong ranks among Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno’s staunchest foot-soldiers. He has proved his mettle right from the beginning of Eno’s gubernatorial journey on January 31, 2022. Through thick and thin, he has remained fervidly loyal to the Governor. And he is likely to remain so for a long time to come.

Palpably, so enamoured is Frank, as he is popularly called, with the humanitarian ways of his boss that, as he turns 50 today, he is celebrating it with the less-privileged, a standard practice of the Governor which he encourages all his lieutenants to emulate. The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs is organising a five-day free medical outreach which commenced yesterday, August 18, 2025, at Immanuel General Hospital, Eket.

To further mark the birthday, an evening of praise worship and gratitude, tagged Golden Praise, holds today by 6pm at Eket City Hall, Eket.

Interestingly, the ardent foot-soldier is hitting the golden age in the state under the watch of the Golden Governor, as Eno is fondly dubbed by Akwa Ibomites.

Much Ado About Frank’s Reappointment

Clearly one of the poster boys of the present Administration, Frank has been quietly but effectively implementing the Governor’s vision at the grassroots’ ministry after Eno’s inauguration on May 29, 2023.

In February, this year, the Governor reappointed him into his cabinet. However, the reappointment was greeted with disquiet in some parts of the state. No one questioned his competence or capacity. Rather, the issue was that his Local Government Area (LGA), Eket, was given two cabinet slots.

This writer intervened in the controversy then with a feature, *Much Ado About Two Commissioners from One LGA*

Excerpts:

_Speaking during the thanksgiving service by the Akwa Ibom State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) at The Apostolic Church in his village, Ikot Ekpene Udo, on Sunday, January 19, 2025, Governor Umo Eno gave insight into his coming State Executive Council. And he asked politicians and clerics to allow him choose his cabinet members without interference. Eno said much more but the kernel of his speech concerning the cabinet was that competence would be placed above all considerations in his choices._

_Rejecting agitations by some politicians for what amounted to zoning of the commissionership position within their respective Local Government Areas (LGAs), the Governor pointed out that he could even appoint two siblings into his cabinet._

_One of his predecessors, Obong Victor Attah, actually did. Another, Chief Godswill Akpabio, appointed two commissioners from one village and they were said to be cousins. The third, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, stopped at the level of same clan._

_Since the State House of Assembly unveiled Eno’s would-be cabinet list on Tuesday, last week, critics have focused essentially on two issues – nomination of two persons from one LGA, Eket, and inclusion of three former House of Representatives’ Members in the list. They seem uninterested in the competence and capacity of the said nominees._

Zeroing in on Frank with a sub-head, *Why Eket Got Two*, this writer wrote:

_It is easy to pin the nomination of the duo from Eket, Mr. Frank Archibong and Elder Paul Bassey, on competence and capacity._

_In Frank’s case, he has evidently demonstrated maturity, dynamism, dexterity, tact, pragmatism and humility in the management of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs since becoming commissioner in August 2020. It is an unenviable task managing 31 Chairmen, who are chief executives in their respective LGAs, and 31 Paramount Rulers, most of who are elderly men accomplished in various sectors – business, transportation, academia, teaching, civil service, accounting, banking, politics, military, engineering, football and more._

_For a young man of 49 years to work and earn the respect of the revered monarchs, including the Okuibom Ibibio, and three sets of Chairmen, it is difficult to fault his reappointment.

Following the Governor

As Governor, Eno has proved to be a tough act to follow. Daily, he mesmerises all and sundry, far and near, with his incredible character, competence, capacity, credibility, practical Christianity, vision, determination, energy, extempore speeches, good governance, hands-on management, wit, humour, intellect, street wisdom, humility, simplicity, discernment, motivation, innovations, reforms, politics of inclusion, popularity, availability, reach, flexibility, colour and even fashion sense.

Strikingly, to boot, the Governor wears compassion as a second skin and has virtually made it a state policy. He has even created a whole institution, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, for it.

Frank is an avid follower of the Governor in many ways. Long before now, friends and strangers, alike, have attested to his legendary generosity. No one associates him with the _mkpo ibaha_ (there is nothing) way of life which the Governor admonishes all his appointees against. The commissioner has been known to be a cheerful giver so much so that he has become one of those the streets venerate and label _eti owo_ (good person). Last year, some of his admirers organised a surprise street party to celebrate his birthday at the entry point of Ewet Housing Estate in Uyo.

Put quite simply, Frank is “not a consumption commissioner”, borrowing the words of the erstwhile Obot Akara Local Government Chapter Chairman of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, Mr. Simon Akpan, who is now the Local Government Chairman. He used those words hilariously but somewhat aptly in January 2022 to eulogise the then Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Sir Monday Ebong Uko, during Eno’s gubernatorial election campaign in the area.

The Archibong Udo Foundation

Now with compassion institutionalised in the state, Frank has followed suit, in his own capacity, establishing the Archibong Udo Foundation. It is this foundation that is organising his free medical outreach.

In a release on Monday, the foundation stated thus:

Frank Archibong @ 50: A 5-Day Free Medical Outreach Kicks Off Today at Immanuel General Hospital, Eket
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‎In celebration of Hon. Frank Archibong’s 50th birthday, the Archibong Udo Foundation (AUF) is launching a 5-day free medical and surgical outreach, scheduled to run from Monday, 18th August to Friday, 22nd August, 2025.
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_This philanthropic gesture marks the second edition of the free medical/surgical outreach and is aimed at providing essential medical services to vulnerable members of the society, demonstrating Mkpisong Archibong’s commitment to giving back.
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_The programme is organized in collaboration with Pastor Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda, providing free medical services to the people.
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Free Medical Services Available:
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– Patient counseling
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– Adult and pediatric consultations
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– Dental consultations and procedures
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– Optometry and eye care services
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– Laboratory services and surgeries
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Take advantage of this opportunity to receive free medical care!
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Kindly visit Immanuel General Hospital, Eket, on Monday, 18th August, 2025, from 8:00 a.m. for your free medical/surgical outreach.
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All services will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis and have been generously sponsored by Mkpisong Frank Archibong.

Birthday Song

The delectable American diva, Diana Ross, holds the record of the Guinness World Records for the greatest female music artist of all time.

At 81, the ageless act still performs round the world, holding audiences spellbound with her delivery and beauty. In February, this year, barely a month before her birthday, she was in Lagos to sing at _Thisday_ Awards, the second time in 19 years. Eno, an awardee, was in attendance. And so was Frank, his lieutenant.

As the commissioner marks his birthday today, this writer adopts the complete lyrics, comprising the verses and refrain, of good old Diana’s timeless song, Forever Young, as felicitous words to celebrate him.

The song goes:

May God bless and keep you always
May your wishes all come true
May you always do for others
And let others do for you
May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung
May you stay
May you stay forever young

Forever young
Forever young
May you stay
Stay forever young

May you grow up to be righteous
May you grow up to be true
May you always know the truth
And see the lights surrounding you

May you always be courageous
Stand upright and be strong
May you stay
May you stay forever young

Forever young
Forever young
May you stay
Stay forever young

May your hands always be busy
May your feet always be swift
May you have a strong foundation
When the winds of changes shift

May your heart always be joyful
May your song always be sung
And may you stay
May you stay forever young

Forever young
Forever young
May you stay
May you stay forever young

To Frank, the staunch foot-soldier of the Golden Governor, who reaches the golden age today, remain forever young.