Excitement in Akwa Ibom, as Gov Umo Eno Begins 4- Year Tenure
The Evangelist News Edition, May 31, 2023. By Tony Udoh
In a rare demonstration of love and acceptance, the people of Akwa Ibom State turned out in their numbers with excitement as Pastor Umo Eno took over the mantle of leadership as the 5th democratically-elected Governor for a 4- year tenure.
The electrifying inaugural ceremony which took place at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, saw Pastor Eno fully clad in his clerical collar to underline his calling as a man of God.
Visibly satisfied Akwa Ibomites as well as numerous visitors repeatedly shouted for joy at the mention of Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, probably for what he represents, first the church, his honest and humble disposition, and then the ARISE Agenda, an economic development blueprint that promises to connect the dots of development in the state.
The governor got his first thunderous cheers soon after he took his oath of office, which rounded off with the popular words, “so help me God,” and again when he mounted the special open-air van to greet the mammoth audience at the stadium
The expression of love for the new governor was not only within the stadium as youths, the elderly and children also lined the streets and cheered gleefully as his motorcade drove through the Ibom Connection popularly referred as Ibom Plaza, to the Hilltop Mansion for the handing over formalities.
They all expressed optimism that his tenure will mark a golden era for the state.
That was not all, the new governor was also hailed as he stopped at different locations including; Eket Local Government head quarters, Ikot Ekpene Udo village, Palace of the Oku Ibom Ibibio, Ntenyin Solomon Etuk, and at the Nsit Ubium Local Government council secretariat.
The long- awaited day, as usual climaxed with an inaugural state banquet which had multiple highlights especially the keynote address by the popular Kenyan Scholar, Prof. Patrick Loch Otieno Lumumba a former Director of the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission and Director of The Kenya School of Law.
At the event, Akwa Ibom people were reassured of continuous happy hours as the governor affirmed his commitment to hit the ground running as well as run an all-inclusive governance as contained in his inaugural speech.
