22/09/2025
GOV. ENO'S WEEKLY UPDATES: SECURITY, POWER AND EMPOWERMENT THROUGH IBOM-LED
đź”·You and Your Governor
By: Solomon Essiet
"This Electricity Summit must chart a road map and should be seen as a call to action with clear timelines on who to do what, and when such action will be completed." Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, P.hD
Make no mistake, the week under review was a very busy one for the Governor, from setting up a Security Trust Fund to charging up the youth personally on their Entrepreneurial journey at IBOM-LED, then to the much awaited 2-Day Akwa Ibom Electricity Summit. But just as a prepared man he is, the Governor went through all with ease, not minding the rigours. Being a Governor might not be just as easy as people thinks. "Water 'dey' sweet for cup, jumping into the river to swim, 'na' another thing entirely".
Other activities carried out by the Governor within the week under review are as follows:-
âś…Gov. Eno attended the opening session of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria at the Youth Centre, Nto Ekpu, Obot Akara LGA, Sunday, September 14, 2025
âś…Gov. Eno celebrated with Hilda Baci on her bold Guinness World record attempt, Sunday, September 14, 2025
âś…Gov. Eno hosted members of the Directors' Guild of Nigeria, DGN, Sunday, September 14, 2025
âś…Gov. Eno celebrated with Atuekong Don Etiebet on his 81st Birthday, Monday, September 15, 2025
âś…Gov. Eno joined the Judiciary to mark the opening of the legal year, at Believers Assembly, Uyo, Monday, September 15, 2025
âś…Gov. Eno attended the opening ceremony of the 4th Batch of Entrepreneurial Accelerator Programme, (EAP), where he inspired the beneficiaries, Monday, September 15, 2025
âś…Gov. Eno ordered a merit based recruitment of additional 1000 Judiciary Staff into the service, Monday, September 15, 2025
âś…Gov. Eno launched Akwa Ibom Security Trust Fund, Tuesday, September 16, 2025
âś…Gov. Eno played host to Catholic Bishops in Government House, Wednesday, September 17, 2025
âś…Gov. Eno received His Grace, Arch Bishop Nyong Davis Ayakndue, the President of the Mount Zion Light House Full Gospel Church Inc, on a courtesy visit, Wednesday, September 17, 2025
âś…Gov. Eno celebrated with Akwa Ibom PDP Chairman, Elder Aniekan Akpan, on his birthday, Thursday, September 18, 2025
âś…Gov. Eno attended flagged off the Akwa Ibom Electricity Summit, at Four Point by Sheraton Hotel, Ikot Ekpene,Thursday, September 18, 2025
âś…Gov. Eno celebrated with Rt. Hon. Okpolupm Etteh on his birthday, Friday, September 19, 2025
âś…Gov. Eno felicitated with Archbishop Emmanuel Udofia on his 61st Birthday, Friday, September 19, 2025
âś…Gov. Eno appeared at the Day-2 of Akwa Ibom Electricity Summit/Closing ceremony, Friday, September 19, 2025
âś… Governor Eno felicitated with Mkpat Enin LGA Chairman on his birthday, Friday, September 19, 2025
âś…Gov. Eno attended a Special Inter-denominational Service, Government House, Uyo, Saturday, September 20, 2025
♦️ MATTERS ARISING
Though Akwa Ibom State is widely refered to as one of the most peaceful State in Nigeria, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, is not relenting on his effort to maintaining the peaceful ambience of the State. Thus, on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, the Governor launched the Akwa Ibom State Security Trust Fund, at the Government House, Banquet Hall, Uyo, with the Inspector General of Police, Dr. Kayode Egbetokun in attendance, represented by the State's Commissioner of Police, Baba Azare. Other high ranking security personnels and people from the private sector were also in attendance.
Governor Eno said "His administration is launching the Akwa Ibom State Security Trust Fund - a public/private partnership vehicle to put all hands on deck to ensure we continue to live in a safe and secure environment so people may pursue their legitimate undertakings".
This is the proactive nature of Governor Eno in display. One of the bankers, who was an invited guest at the event said she did not understand why the Governor had to push for a security trust fund when Akwa Ibom State is one of the safest State in the Country, but that hearing the original intentions of the Governor regarding the Security Trust Fund, she can't help, but appreciate the Governor for his proactiveness in setting up the Security Trust Fund to enhance continuous peace in the State.
According to the Governor, security is the first order or primary responsibility of Government, drawing a cue from the social contract principle of Thomas Hobbes and John Locke, he spoke eloquently about shared responsibility on the part of government and the governed. The Governor stated that Akwa Ibom State Government have devoted resources to ensuring that we maintain our status as a safe, secure and peaceful State.
There is no where in the world that business can succeed in a warring environment. Realizing this fact, the Governor understand the fact that no investment is too much in achieving a peaceful environment for businesses to thrive. That reminds me of a book written by my late friend Dr. Ime Nkereuwem Bassey, titled "Where there is no Security". You can answer for yourself what happen in unsecured environment, a lot of atrocities are prevalent in such environment. This is why Akwa Ibom people must appreciate Governor Eno for his unrelenting effort to achieving a secured environment for Akwa Ibom people.
Also, on Monday, September 15, 2025, Governor Eno inaugurated the fourth Cohort of the Entrepreneurial Accelerator Programme, EAP, as part of his administration's commitment to nurturing new business leaders. The fact that the Governor personally went to the venue to address the young beneficiaries of the programme, charging them to take their destiny into their hands, in a very emotional speech, underscores the Governor's genuine intentions to raise young millionaires through Entrepreneurial Development in the State.
Then comes the power summit. Any State that has found a lasting solution to power challenges, may have solve at least 50% of the State's problem. This is why Akwa Ibom State Government is doing everything humanly possible to achieve a 24/7 steady power supply.
Declaring open the 2025 Electricity Summit on Thursday, September 18, the Governor said, "This summit must move beyond being another talk shop to producing a practical roadmap with timelines, clear responsibilities, and measurable outcomes". Adding that for decades, our people have lived with the paradox of great energy potentials, but little to show for it.
According to the Governor, "This Summit should deliver a concrete action plan that ensures every home, every business, and every school in Akwa Ibom State has reliable power".
♦️ON THE LAUNCH OF SECURITY TRUST FUND
Security the world over, has been described as shared responsibility between governments, corporations, individuals, and agencies.
With the launching of the Akwa Ibom State Security Trust Fund, the private sector will be more stimulated to join in maintaining the State’s status as a safe, secure, peaceful, inviting, and serene state to live and thrive.
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno stated this at the official launch of the Akwa Ibom State Security Trust Fund, AKSTF, at the Government House, Banquet Hall, Uyo.
He said his administration has devoted resources to sustaining the peace in the State and appreciated the security agencies for the support and cooperation in maintaining peace in the State.
With the huge outflow of Nigerian tourists, he said, Akwa Ibom is being transformed into the best vacation destination in Nigeria.
For Governor Eno, security is the first order or primary responsibility of government; but drawing a cue from the social contract principle of Thomas Hobbes and John Locke, he spoke eloquently about shared responsibility on the part of government and the governed.
Governor Eno said his administration is, “launching the Akwa Ibom State Security Trust Fund - a public/private partnership vehicle to put all hands on deck to ensure we continue to live in a safe and secure environment so the people may pursue their legitimate undertakings.”
Governor Eno, who acknowledged the status of the State as one of the safest in the country, paid glowing tribute to its “past leaders for their single-minded devotion to this important ideal, of which we are now dedicating ourselves to expanding and deepening.”
He recounted that “we have devoted resources to ensuring that we maintain our status as a safe, secure, and peaceful state.”
This, he said, led him to create the Ministry of Internal Security and Waterways and the Ibom Community Watch - a grassroots initiative aimed at intelligence gathering and sharing with institutional security agencies.
He expressed the “gratitude of the Government and the people of Akwa Ibom State to the various security agencies for the robust collaboration and cooperation we have received from them.
“That we are celebrated for being one of the safest states in the nation is because of the patriotic and passionate work they have done in partnering with government to ensure that criminals don’t have a safe haven here in our dear state.
He expressed the hope that the request of the State for an Army formation along the maritime corridor in Oron, which was;recently made to the Chief of Army Staff, will be granted.
While thanking the former Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba (Rtd.), CFR, for accepting to Chair the occasion and for his glowing tributes, he also appreciated the Police IG, Kayode Egbetokun, who despite being out of the country on official assignment, also sent his message of goodwill.
The Chairman of the occasion, Usman Alkali, a former Inspector General of Police, eulogized the Governor for his humility and passion in tackling security concerns in the State.
Alkali who coined the concept of UmoEnoism from the Governor’s name, said that Pastor Eno was a gift of good governance to the people.
He said the model of security management in Akwa Ibom, gives the citizens a responsibility of contributing to the security of the state, despite government having the primary duty of maintaining law and order.
He however sued for transparency and efficiency in the management of the funds realized and expressed confidence in the quality of members on the board of the trust fund.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Internal Security and Waterways, Gen. Koko Essien ( retd) said Akwa Ibom State has the longest Nigerian coastline of 129km which is 13 percent of the Country’s coastline, and is also bordered by the Imo and Cross Rivers, making it susceptible to activities of sea criminals.
Gen Essien said the intention of Government is to ensure a reorganization of the response team in the State.
He said the fund will enable the acquisition of the latest technology in security and listed pickup trucks, squad cars, communications gadgets, surveillance devices, more rigid gunboats, specialized trainings and the
Safe City initiative, as major requirements earmarked for security operations in the State.
Speaking also, the Inspector General of Police, Dr. Kayode Egbetokun, through the State Commissioner of Police, Baba Azare, said the event was a proactive and visionary step to strengthen its security architecture.
He described the fund as an opportunity for every citizen to play a role in security management and pledged the support of the police in the process to make the State retain its status as one of the most peaceful in the country.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Trust Fund, Mr Paul Usoro, SAN, said the need to use a public/private partnership approach in solving security challenges in the State necessitated the launch of the Trust Fund.
Since insecurity in one locality has adverse effect at the next locality, Paul Usoro maintained that the Governor was making efforts to ensure that security already enjoyed in the State, is sustained.
He added that the Trust Fund will support Government’s investment in security, since security is an expensive business and assured that the a proper private business management approach will be adopted in managing the fund.
The event which had as its theme, “partnership for a safer Akwa Ibom”, was also attended by the Deputy Governor, Sen. Akon Eyakenyi, Speaker, Akwa Ibom House of Assembly, Senators Udoma Udoma, Ekong Sampson, Aniekan Bassey, as well as captains of industry and major players in Corporate Nigeria.
♦️ON AKWA IBOM ELECTRICITY SUMMIT
The 2-day Electricity Summit convened by the Akwa Ibom State Government ended with Governor Umo Eno disclosing plans to set up a State Electricity Regulatory Commission and an Electrification Agency.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the summit at Four Points by Sheraton, Ikot Ekpene, the Governor said the Akwa Ibom State Electricity Regulation Commission (AKSERC) will provide fair tariffs, transparent licensing, and independent oversight, while the Akwa Ibom State Electrification Agency (AISEA) will deliver electricity access to towns, villages, and underserved communities.
Highlighting the priorities from the roadmap, he said, "The boards of the above agencies will be constituted in the next one month. We are clear that while our ambition is long-term, we must set the ball rolling immediately by establishing AKSERC and AISEA, staffed and trained to the best possible standards.
"Let me use this opportunity to invite Akwa Ibomites with requisite technical qualifications and skills to apply for employment through our ARISE Employment Portal. I can’t stress enough the fact that this, is purely a professional assignment and therefore, has no political colouration. The recruitment exercise will be done transparently and only those who are technically qualified will be taken.
"We will rehabilitate and immediately commercialise Ibom Power Company, raise capital and commence its urgent rehabilitation, while also taking steps to establish the Akwa Ibom Electricity Distribution Company and upgrade the State distribution network that it operates.
"We will launch the Akwa Ibom Electricity Market by licensing Ibom Power Company and the new Akwa Ibom State Electricity Distribution Company, with Akwa Ibom holding majority shares," he said
Speaking further, the Governor assured that the State will roll out the first phase of the State Electrification Plan, "bringing sustainable electricity access to unserved and underserved communities; and publish and enforce a Consumer Bill of Rights which will ensure fair treatment for all consumers, accountability by licensees, and protection of electricity assets against vandalism and theft."
He also disclosed plans to pilot renewable energy projects, ensuring that at least 20% of the future power will come from clean sources.
"These are not distant promises—they are immediate, measurable, and achievable at various times within the next 24 months or even less," he added.
The Governor emphasized the need for collaboration saying, "We have listened. We have learned. And we will act. But let me stress this: success will not come from government alone. It will come from partnerships—with the private sector, with our federal counterparts, with development finance institutions, with investors and licensees, and with you, the people of Akwa Ibom.
"We will work hard and purposefully to ensure, that electricity availability will no longer be a barrier to growth in Akwa Ibom State, that industries will flourish, businesses will thrive, and homes will be powered.
"That we will begin to deliver better service to more households and by 2034 God willing, every household in Akwa Ibom will have quality electricity service. And that we will build a model for electricity reform in Nigeria," he said.
Governor Eno appreciated everyone for their attendance and quality contributions especially, representatives of the Governors of Enugu, Abia, Cross River and Bayelsa States; representatives of the Minister of Power, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, as well as the State Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi and other participants.
He specifically appreciated an Akwa Ibom Daughter, Ms Ekemini Umoh who resides in Europe for flying in to attend the conference, and for her quality contributions both before and at the summit, stressing that she exhibits qualities worthy of emulation.
Earlier, the Deputy Governor, Senator Eyakenyi and the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, had presented the roadmap to the Governor for consideration.
♦️This is where I draw the curtain until I come your way again by next week, bringing more exciting activities of the Governor your way from the Governor's office. Stay with me. This is "You and Your Governor".
Pastor Solomon Essiet, ACIA
Special Assistant on New Media to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State
