Catholic Bishops Applaud Gov Eno’s Development Strides

Catholic Bishops in Nigeria have commended Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, for his outstanding vision and innovation in transforming a 70-hectare erosion-ravaged land into a world-class recreation centre to boost tourism traffic and the economy of the State, amongst other development strides.

Rising from a courtesy visit and State reception held at the instance of the Governor at the Government House, Uyo, the Catholic Bishops toured the Arise Resort located along Dominic Utuk Avenue in Uyo, and expressed their happiness at the huge investment of the State administration in the project.

Fielding questions from Government House Correspondents, the representative of Pope Leo XIV and the Vatican Papal Nuncio to Nigeria, Archbishop Michael Francis Crotty, speaking on behalf of the Bishops, described the State’s recreation facility as a great tourism investment by the Governor.

Archbishop Crotty commended Governor Eno for his foresight and creative prowess as translated in the Arise tourist resort project, saying that the resort is “innovative and spectacular.”

Earlier at the reception, the Apostolic Nuncio had described Akwa Ibom as a beautiful State, and appreciated the Governor for the warm reception and hospitality shown him and the other Bishops throughout the period of the conference.

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Similarly, the President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, CBCN, Archbishop Lucius Ugorji, commended Governor Eno for running a people-based governance system, with facilities that impact the lives of the people.

“We can only marvel over the creativity of the Governor and all those who work with him to convert a place that one could consider a wasteland into wealth. So it is a great evidence of creativity, and it is our prayer that this Centre attracts many tourists so that the huge investment which has been sunk into it would be justified. So we pray that all those who work here would do so unhurt, and that this will bring a lot of blessings to the Government and people of Akwa Ibom State.

Archbishop Ugorji said Catholic Bishops hold two strategic meetings every year, first in Abuja, and the second rotated amongst the nine ecclesiastical provinces in Nigeria, adding that the hosting in Ikot Ekpene was a rotation in favour of the Calabar Province which he said has been exceptional, given the unique hospitality of the State, quality infrastructure and the general ambience.

Like Peter in the Bible, Archbishop Ugorji who was visibly elated said, “It is good for us to be here, let us build three tents, one for the Government of Akwa Ibom State, the second for the good people of Akwa Ibom State and the third, for the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria.”

Speaking at the reception, Governor Eno declared that his fulfilment of serving God faithfully would only come from running a people-centric governance propelled by compassion, unity, peace, and the transformation of the quality of living of citizens.

He appreciated the Catholic Church and the entire body of Christ in the State for always supporting and praying for the success of his administration.

“We run a compassionate and people-centric government. We believe that the Government should have a human face. Rather than allowing the trappings of power to mystify us, we have instead demystified power, and wear humility as a badge of honour,” he said.

Governor Eno who enumerated a few of the development strides of the State under his leadership, said he was committed to inclusive leadership where people across party lines are consulted on matters of the State.

“We have made up our minds to work with our leaders, both past and present, and to support the Senate President who is one of us at the National level.

“We believe that we should and must support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his quest to reposition the country by his strategic reforms, and I stand here to say that in the last two years, Akwa Ibom has been blessed. We have funding as a State, released from the federal government, and that has helped us to run our programmes without borrowing from the Banks.

“That’s one of the reasons why we moved. Today we thank God that we are on the threshold of paying all of the debt we have owed, and we are hoping that by the time we finish our first term in office, we will not be owing any bank any debt from previous commitments,” he said.

On their parts, the Archbishop of Calabar Province, Most Rev Dr Joseph Ekwuwem, and the Host Bishop, Bishop of Ikot Ekpene Diocese, Most Rev Camillus Umoh, also appreciated the Governor for his support which, according to them, made the conference possible and successful.

They equally appreciated him for his compassionate and people-centric leadership which, they said, was a pointer to the fact that electing him as Governor was not a mistake.

State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Archbishop Chris Nyong, also appreciated the Governor for hosting the Catholic Bishops, saying that the body of Christ in the state has enjoyed the fellowship of the Bishops, priests and indeed, the entire Catholic bloc, and assured them of continuous partnership for the benefit of all.