Umo Eno at 60: A toast to a great humanitarian

One of Nigeria’s finest columnists, Haroon Aremu, on April 16, 2024, in an epic article opined that amidst the chaos and corruption in Nigeria, there are still those who stand as beacons of hope. These, according to him “are the leaders who, despite facing a myriad of challenges, remain steadfast in their commitment to uplifting the nation and its people. Their unwavering dedication serves as a deep contrast to the rampant greed and self-interest that often circulate the political arena.”

The above, no doubt, is a perfect description of the people-centric governor of Akwa Ibom state, Pastor Umo Eno who, against all odds, has distinguished himself as a leader who feels what the people feel and understands the language of the poor and the rich.
He has severally suspended protocol and the official security boundaries stripped himself of the governorship regalia and stooped low to meet people, interact with them and encourage them. This is only what a servant-leader who is intoxicated with a sense of respect for humanity can do.

Perhaps, this empathetic disposition of Pastor Umo Eno, which has punctuated his government at every point in time, stems from his humble beginning and the character of placing humanity over personal gains, a virtue he has built and sustained over the years. This has, however, earned him the badge of an advocate of the principle of humanism which places the value of humans above materials and objects.

With all sense of modesty, Pastor Eno is a beacon of hope to people of all classes. He has condemned himself to the service of humanity capped with a level of empathy that has never been heard of by a Nigerian politician. Placing humanity at the centre of his administration has undoubtedly given his leadership a human face; where the rich and the poor, the privileged and the downtrodden, elders and the youth, men and women have a stake and sense of belonging.

Everything about Pastor Eno represents humanity, in line with the age-long truth that the essentiality of human existence is service to humanity, a motto amplified by the Rotary Club- Service Above Self. And without mincing words, on completion of his tenure, he will indeed leave behind a legacy of service and selflessness, all for the sake of humanity.
A few weeks after he assumed office, the governor, without prior invitation apart from being moved by empathy when he sighted two coffins in a compound at Ekpene Ukim, in Uruan Local Government Area, branched the venue of the burial. Imagine the shock and surprise on the faces of the people who never dreamt that the number one citizen in the state would be their guest.

To cut a long story short, Uduakobong Effiong, the only child of the deceased, has since been established with a piece of state-of-the-art sewing equipment and shop, courtesy of the governor’s benevolence.

On several occasions, the governor had stopped to buy fruits from women selling at different locations and equally empowered them. That’s the kind of leader occupying the Hilltop mansion today. He feels the pains of the people and shares in their joy as well.
Just a few days ago when he returned from an official assignment, he was briefed on the unfortunate incident that befell an Akwa Ibom daughter in the boat mishap that claimed the lives of other Nollywood practitioners during a film production in Anambra State. Moved with compassion over the sad story, he went straight to meet the deceased family at Ikot Udoma, Eket.

After consoling the family members, he was moved with compassion when he heard that the deceased ‘s dream was to see her two siblings who are undergraduates become graduates. The governor gave scholarship to the two siblings, offered automatic employment to the elder sister and gave orders for the building of a befitting home for the parents.

Yesterday, the governor’s devotion to the promotion of human welfare moved his milk of kindness, which never runs dry, to flow to the path of a gardener who had served at Government House for over 30 years.
The governor, who consistently rewards diligent service, gave the man’s son automatic employment. Also in appreciation of the staff and security team at the complex, the governor donated a special welfare allowance of N10 Million to all the staff on duty and commended them for their hard work and contributions to the bureaucracy and the security of the State.

With every sense of humility and decency, Governor Eno has honestly demystified leadership and the position of the governor by still relating with the people and humbling himself to the barest minimum at every given opportunity.
As the saying goes, “Charity begins at home”, this summarises the reason why Pastor Eno came back to Akwa Ibom to start a business instead of staying in Lagos where he grew up. It was a strong desire to help the Akwa Ibom people that made him relocate to the state and started with just 5 rooms, and grew consistently to the conglomerate that we see today.

Since the scripture has affirmed that he who is faithful in little, much shall be given to him, heaven smiled on Pastor Umo Eno during the 2023 governorship election and the good people of Akwa Ibom state massively voted him as governor.

Despite the over 25 litigations instituted against him, he wriggled his way out by the grace of God. People had thought that now that his mandate had been sealed through the affirmation of his victory by the Supreme Court, he would pay back. But no, revenge is strange to him. Even the exalted office of the governor and all the privileges, therein, have not taken away who he is, especially the compassionate aspect of him.

Eno’s milk of kindness still flows to individuals, families, groups, associations, civil servants, the political class, students, business people, women, youth, the elderly, the less privileged, the list is endless.

After winning the election, he called on those who lost the election to work with him for the good of the state. How many Nigerian politicians would do that?

That is why many people always opine that Pastor Eno doesn’t behave like a contemporary politician. He is a preacher of love and forgiveness and can work comfortably with people from all walks of life and political affiliations. He has not relented in preaching support for the President, the Senate President, Ministers and others who are from other political parties just for the purpose of humanity and the welfare of all and sundry.

It is humanity that made him set up the Community Watch to complement other security apparatus in the state for the overall safety of the people.

Humanity made him handle intervention projects like the flood control drainage system in some parts of the state. Humanity equally made him show empathy with those that mourn, and celebrate with those that celebrate. Even as a governor, he still has time to visit and attend events of people he had known before, not minding his position now.

It is still his compassionate disposition that inspired him to build houses for the less privileged people in all the 31 Local Government Areas in the state, and some are still under construction. That virtue also instigated him to initiate the bulk food purchase programme, and distribute free food to the poorest of the poor, among others. He did all for humanity.

He has carried out free medical outreaches in all the three senatorial districts of the state and over 10,000 residents of the state have benefited from the initiative.

It did not end there. The governor has consistently paid gratuities and pensions to retired civil servants in the state. He has also initiated a welfare package for the elderly and senior citizens in the state.

There is no gainsaying that most projects embarked upon by Pastor Umo Eno are projects for humanity, just as the summary of the ARISE Agenda is for humanity.

Like our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ who came for the salvation of mankind, Pastor Eno came for the welfare of the people, and this he has passionately performed daily.

Today, as he climbs the 60th floor of life, may his loving, caring and “welfaric” drive usher him into a year full of peace, sound health and more wisdom to serve humanity.

We propose a toast to a great humanitarian.