African Leadership Award Is A Product Of Teamwork – Gov Eno
...Dedicates It To President Tinubu, Udom Emmanuel, Akpabio, Ors
The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, PhD, has described the prestigious African Leader in People-centric Governance Award conferred on him by Security Watch Africa as a product of the intentional teamwork of his administration.
In appreciation, the governor has dedicated the award to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, Mr Udom Emmanuel CON, Senator Godswill Akpabio GCON, members of the State Executive Council, and the people of the state.
The Governor stated this at the State Executive Council Chambers on Monday, July 27, 2026, while being formally presented with the award by his deputy, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, who stood in for him at the presentation ceremony in Banjul, capital of The Gambia, recently.
Governor Eno thanked God for His grace and strength and for raising the needed people to work with him to pursue a common goal, purpose and vision.
“I dedicate this award to people in five categories: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his support for us in Akwa Ibom State and other sub-nationals to achieve our development mandate; Mr. Udom Emmanuel, for discovering, choosing and believing in me to lead our people; the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, for working in unison with us and supporting me; and members of the State Executive Council and the people of the State generally, for their sacrifices, support and collaboration,” he said.
He noted that without the teamwork approach and love for the growth and progress of the state shown by the various categories of people, the achievement and the honour would not have been possible.
The Governor likened governance to a human body where every part of it is very significant and vital to the perfect working of the whole system.
“The State is like a whole body. If you have pain in any part of your body, it will affect the whole body. So, if any of us decides to work contrary to our vision, believe it or not, it will affect the entire system. So I thank you for your support and collaboration,” he said.
Governor Eno appreciated the love and concern for his administration exhibited by the people of the state in one way or the other, stressing that people’s support is very key to the success of any government.
The Governor pledged to continue to serve the people to the best of his ability and ensure that democracy dividends envelope all parts of the state.
The Governor also appreciated the management of Security Watch Africa for the honour done him and Akwa Ibom State.
Presenting the award to the Governor, Senator Eyakenyi described the Governor as the pride of Akwa Ibom State, “recognised within and beyond the shores of Nigeria for visionary and impactful governance.”
The Deputy Governor, who was accompanied to the Banjul event by the State Commissioner for Information, Hon. Aniekan Umanah, also appreciated the Governor for his leadership philosophy anchored on service to God and humanity and attributed the awards and honours to his exemplary leadership style.
The honour came from Security Watch Africa at an elaborate ceremony held at the Sir Dawda Jawara International Conference Centre, Gambia, on July 23, 2026, at which event, the President of the Republic of The Gambia, Adama Barrow, and other distinguished African leaders were also honoured.
