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By Tony Udoh

When in 2022, a frontline support group for the governorship aspiration of Pastor Umo Eno was launched with the motto: “win for all,” some people dismissed it for the usual political gimmick, while others concluded that every politician is selfish and he would not be different.

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However, 100 days after the inauguration of Governor Umo Eno following his win at the polls, many Akwa Ibomites, including the doubting Thomases have come to the conclusion that “Win For All” was not only an amazing and captivating political slogan, but a clairvoyance-induced summary of the Umo Eno led administration.

For the records, the concept of first 100 days in office is an initiative of the 32nd President of the United States, Franklin D. Roosevelt who in his inaugural address, signaled his intention to move with unprecedented speed to address the problems facing the nation. According to records, Roosevelt’s specific priorities, at the outset of his presidency were getting Americans back to work, protecting their savings and creating prosperity, providing relief for the sick and elderly, and getting industry and agriculture back on their feet.

Like Roosevelt, Pastor Umo Eno, in his inaugural speech as well as in his campaign promises, had pledged to be a governor for all Akwa Ibomites irrespective of political persuasions, strategically vote money for the payment of gratuities, run a labour-friendly government, demystify governance, sustain and further development through the economic development blueprint code named, the ARISE Agenda among others.

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As the Governor marks his first 100 days in office, it is evidence that no one is left in doubt that it has indeed, been a win for all. For the few who may not be fully aware, efforts would be made to chronicle some of the wins which have indeed been for all Akwa Ibom people.

Within one month in office, the obvious bitterness, segregation and disunity which had created some tension in the State has automatically been phased out as Governor Eno personally visited and presented a message of felicitation to Senator Godswill Akpabio of the APC, upon his election as president of the 10th Senate.

The Governor has for the first time in the political history of the state, brought all Akwa Ibomites across party lines under one roof during the ARISE Dialogue to discuss a developement plan for the state as was encapsulated in the ARISE Agenda.

As a compassionate leader, Governor Eno within his first few weeks in office instituted a N100 million intervention fund for physically challenged students in the state, sponsored a physically challenged graduate to the Nigerian Law School, and also appointed a personal assistant on physically challenged students to enable him regularly interface with this sensitive community and to make them understand that his wining was for all.

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The Governor has at different occasions breached protocol by stopping to encourage and patronize petty traders at different locations including: Itreto Junction in Nsit Ubium, Airport junction in Ekpene Ukim – Uruan Local Government Area, Ewet Housing Estate by Mayflower, Etebi Idung Asang Junction in Esit Eket, Ikot Ekpene Aba Road by Ukana West in Essien Udim LGA, Nwaniba Fish Market in Uruan and others.

In line with the ARISE Agenda, the construction of model primary schools as well as primary health centers are in advance stages. Similarly, the governor had flagged off the construction of different road projects including: construction of Ndiya Street, Drainage and Solar Lighting Project in Akpan Andem Market within the Uyo metropolis, and Rural Access Agricultural Marketing Project, RAAMP, And Construction of Owot Uta -Nung Oku Ekere -Afaha Udo Eyop – Edebom 1 By Ekponwa Market Roads connecting Ibesikpo Asutan with Nsit Ibom Local Government Area.

Also in the list are; construction of 1.1km Spring Road project, the dilapidated access route to Goretti Secondary School, in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area, construction of 2.1km Ukpong Street and 2.1km Effiong Essang Street with 800M length of discharge drain in Oron local government area, and construction of 2.2km Tabernacle Road and its environs traversing Uyo and Itu local government areas with 0.97KM underground outfall drain.

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About a fourth night ago, the governor sent four bills to the State House of Assembly with sundry prayers, especially a bill for a law to make the Chairmen of Local Government Councils in Akwa Ibom State to reside in their local government areas of operations during their tenure of office, to help advance the rural development drive of the administration.

In line with the agricultural revolution plans, the State Government recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Songhai Initiative for the management of a model farm in the state. This arrangement is geared towards enhancing food sufficiency, meaningfully engaging the youths, and make agriculture the main stay of the state’s economy.

Most recently, at the September edition of the State Covenant Service, the governor unveiled government decision to support different sectors of the state with palliatives to help cushion the effect of the fuel subsidy removal.

He stated that the state has received the sum of N2 billion and 7,200 bags of rice from the Federal Government, adding that 100,000 bags of rice will be distributed statewide; 40 bags per village to the 2, 272 gazetted villages and other strategic groups.

The Governor noted that the measure is in addition to the over two billion naira gratuity already released and paid to both state and local government retirees, as well as N2billion for government workers and pensioners to cover a period of three months. He said Fridays will become a ticket-free day for transport operators and traders in markets in all the local government areas up till December, 2023, while there will be bursary of N10, 000 each to Akwa Ibom indigenes attending public tertiary institutions across the country after verification as well as free exercise books for primary and secondary schools.

From all the above, there is hardly any group in the state either in the urban centres or the interior villages that have not felt the winning impact of Pastor Umo Eno. While it is true that most politicians are selfish, Pastor Umo Eno has shown, by a clear mark of distinction, that his governorship victory was indeed a “Win for All.”