ThisDay Award: Gov. Eno Dedicates Award To Deputy, Udom Emmanuel, Other Past Governors

Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, has dedicated the “Governor of the Year Award” bestowed on him by ThisDay Newspapers and Arise TV to his Deputy, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, all past Governors of the State, and specifically to his predecessor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, CON.

Speaking to the Government House Press Corps and a cross-section of Akwa Ibom people who trooped out to receive him on arrival from the event at the Victor Attah International Airport, the governor, who was deeply touched by the overwhelming show of solidarity by the stakeholders and the people of the state across party lines, said the three categories of people largely made the award possible.

He said his deputy, Senator Eyakenyi, has been very supportive while keeping the peace, a virtue that has enabled him to remain focused on developmental issues.

Governor Eno also dedicated the award to his predecessors, beginning with Arc. Obong Victor Attah, to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, GCON, and Mr. Udom Emmanuel, CON, saying they all contributed immensely to building the foundation upon which he is laying more blocks of development that have earned him the accolades he is receiving across the nation.

The Governor, who recalled with appreciation the invaluable contributions of his predecessor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, CON, to his emergence as Governor, specifically dedicated the award to him, saying without his resolute support, he wouldn’t have become Governor and be celebrated as Governor of the Year.

“This award for me is dedicated to three sets of people. The first person is our Deputy Governor, Her Excellency, Distinguished Senator Akon Eyakenyi, PhD. She has given me all the necessary support.

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“The second people are all former governors of this state, from Obong Victor Attah to the Senate President Godswill Akpabio and the immediate past governor, my political father, Deacon Udom Emmanuel. You know that in this state, God has blessed us with governors that have continuously been raising the bar.”

He appreciated the people of the state for their support and for coming out en masse to receive him, saying he has been nominated for other awards, which, he said, will also be dedicated to the people of the state generally.

Recall that the Governor had dedicated the Leadership Newspaper award as The Governor of the Year, 2024, to his wife, Pastor (Mrs.) Patience Eno, who sadly passed on last year, and the immediate past State Executive Council (EXCO) members.

“Standing today, we have about four groups recognising us as the Governor of the Year; the Leadership newspaper, the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), did recognise me as the “Tourism Governor of the Year,” the New Telegraph has recognised us as “The Governor of the Year, Human Capacity Development, 2024, and the Security Watch Africa Initiatives as “Nigeria’s Most Consistent Security Supporting Governor” 2024.

“This harvest of awards could not have been possible without your support. So we thank all of you.”

He appreciated the founding Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of ThisDay and Arise News, Prince Nduka Obaigbena, and the entire management team for identifying and recognising the modest effort of his administration towards delivering the dividends of democracy to the people and for their independent assessment.

The governor said the award was a source of inspiration to him and assured that the government under his leadership will redouble efforts for the development of the state.

“I thank all of those institutions that have recognised what we are doing. Particularly on this occasion, I want to thank Thisday and Arise TV for their independent assessments. But I also understand that to whom much is given, much is expected.

“I promise you that we will continue and put in our effort, double and redouble our effort to the development of our state. We will not stop until we accomplish all of the things that God has put in our hearts through the ARISE Agenda,” he added.