Governor Umo Eno: The Bridge to the Land of Fulfillment

By Aniebiet Francis

As a media aide to the Governor, I’ve cultivated a habit of checking the media office online, whether it’s right after church, following a nap, or even in the middle of the night, to stay updated on the Governor’s activities during any time we may be offline. The reason? Pastor Umo Eno is the epitome of hard work, constantly pushing forward and working around the clock.

It’s common for me to attend a three-hour midweek church service, only to return and find that the Governor has already held three crucial meetings. And I have to report on all of them.

On Friday, February 28, 2025, I woke up from a nap to trending images on social media that nearly gave me a heart attack. These images showed the Governor, along with 80% of PDP and APC stakeholders, in a meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The first question that crossed my mind was, “Has my Governor defected to the APC?” Elsewhere in our country, it’s often easier for politicians to reconcile their differences for political convenience than it is to unite for the collective growth and development of society.

My fears were quickly dispelled by the caption accompanying those pictures. What I thought was a defection meeting turned out to be a delegation led by Pastor Umo Eno to meet with President Tinubu.

This isn’t the first time a sitting Governor from Akwa Ibom has led a delegation to meet with a sitting President, but Pastor Umo’s visit has sparked the most conversation, and it will undoubtedly serve as a positive reference and template for generations to come.

Pastor Umo Eno has made a powerful statement with this single action. He has shown us that he is not only a Pastor by title but also by deeds. He is not a politician in the traditional sense; he is a leader of integrity.

During the 2023 electioneering campaign, the then candidate Umo Eno made a profound statement and I quote: “The Akwa Ibom Project is higher than any political party. I have friends across different parties. I am here as a peacemaker, I will be a governor for all Akwa Ibom people. I have the ministry of reconciliation, and I will reconcile Akwa Ibom across party lines. I am the one that God has given the ministry of reconciliation.” At the time, this may have sounded like the typical rhetoric of a politician. But interestingly, Pastor Umo has steadily embodied those very words.

Today, he exemplifies what he said during the campaign. His actions speak volumes about his ability to foster relationships with every Akwa Ibomite, regardless of political affiliation. He is intentionally reconciling political foes and making everyone feel included, creating a sense of unity that is tangible.

His humility, love, and peaceful nature are like a light that shines brightly, impossible to ignore or hide.

Those virtues have also become the magnet that is pulling people together and creating an atmosphere of unity that has helped foster steady growth in all sectors.

President Ahmed Tinubu has acknowledged Pastor Eno as a good governor with the fear of God and a deep love for his people—qualities that are the foundation of effective governance.

Without love, unity, and peace, there can be no true good governance. Senator Akpabio also praised the Governor, stating, “Akwa Ibom has demonstrated the brotherhood we stand for, and it is the Governor that made it possible.”

In essence, Pastor Umo Eno has not just built a bridge between people; he has become that bridge.

With everyone now united under the banner of Project Akwa Ibom, the vision of a Land of Promise is becoming a “land of fulfillment” – and the entire state is witnessing this euphoria of peace.

Akwa Ibom! We have dwelt in the LAND OF PROMISE for too long, let the exodus begin!

Written by Aniebiet Francis and Published by AKSTRENDING