•Governor Umo Eno and Highlife maestro, Flavor ready for the Happy Hour in Uyo
ANIEKAN UMANAH, Uyo reporting
At exactly 8:30pm on Thursday, February 6, 2025, the State Amphitheater along Udo Udoma Avenue, Uyo, erupted in excitement as Governor Umo Eno stepped into the arena. Dressed in a black designer handcrafted shirt with gold lining, jeans, Versace loafers, and a black ARISE beaded face cap, with an excellent accompaniment of accessories, he exuded confidence and charisma meandering through the crowd and exchanging pleasantries, he set the stage for an unforgettable evening.
By his side was his daughter, and Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, Helen Eno-Obareki, and her spouse. He was also flanked by the Speaker of the State Assembly, party chieftains, members of both the National and State Assemblies, and citizens from all walks of life.
The amphitheater was packed to capacity, a testament to the significance of the occasion.
The event, Arise Happy Hour – An Evening of Grants and Empowerment, was designed to reward hard work, foster economic empowerment, and celebrate the rich cultural and entrepreneurial spirit of Akwa Ibomites. It was a night of recognition, celebration, and inspiration.
Setting the tone for the evening, the Secretary to the State Government highlighted the administration’s unwavering commitment to empowerment, entrepreneurship, and inclusive governance. He emphasised the importance of recognising excellence and supporting the state’s diverse talents.
Taking the stage, Governor Umo Eno reaffirmed these ideals. “Tonight is not a night for long speeches,” he declared.
“We are gathered here under this warm and sparkling evening to celebrate, showcase, and reward the can-do spirit of our people across various spheres of human endeavor.”
The evening witnessed the announcement of several empowerment initiatives. Fifty beneficiaries of the Arise Home Farmers Scheme, who had cultivated staple foods in their communities, each received ₦500,000 grants to expand their agricultural ventures. Further strengthening his administration’s commitment to economic inclusion, 400 beneficiaries, particularly female youths and members of the Arise Ladies in White, were awarded ₦750,000 each, bringing the total disbursement to ₦300 million in support of small and medium-scale businesses.
Beyond economic empowerment, the night was also about recognizing excellence in various sectors. Civil servants who had distinguished themselves in service were honored with ₦1 million grants, rewarding the best-performing staff across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). The Governor’s Cup football competition, which saw participation from all 31 local government areas, also reached its climax, with winners recognized for their skill and dedication.
The much-anticipated Christmas Unplugged 2.0, a month-long cultural showcase, came to a grand conclusion. Each local government area received ₦5 million, totaling ₦150 million, in the governor’s effort to preserve and promote the state’s rich heritage.
Taking a moment to discuss governance and accountability, Governor Umo Eno shed light on budgeting and government expenditures, emphasizing the need for transparency and prudent resource management. He proudly announced that Akwa Ibom State had achieved 79% budget performance for the first time, assuring the people that his administration remains committed to responsible financial management.
The atmosphere was electrified by musical performances from some of Akwa Ibom’s finest entertainers. Prosper, Sir Wilker, Mr. Xto, and Ikpa Udo thrilled the audience, while a special Pan-Nigerian musical duet featuring classics like Christy Essien’s “Showurere” and Oliver De Coque’s timeless hits brought a nostalgic and unifying touch to the night.
Then came the night’s headline act, Afrikan Highlife King, Flavour, who took the stage with unmatched energy. Delivering over ten of his biggest hits, he held the audience spellbound, igniting the amphitheater with his infectious rhythms and electrifying stage presence. Song after song, the crowd sang along, danced, and reveled in the celebration, making the night truly worth its while.
Encouraging the audience to relax and enjoy, Governor Umo Eno smiled and said, “So, sit back, grab your snacks, and let the atmosphere of love, excellence, and unity take hold as we look forward to Flavour taking the stage.”
The governor also reaffirmed his administration’s vision for the state, announcing key upcoming projects, including the commissioning of Arise Park in April, which would transform a once gully-erosion-ravaged area into a world-class family-themed park. He also spoke about the planned reconstruction and remodeling of the Ibom International Convention Centre, which is set to become one of the finest in the country.
Additionally, town hall meetings and empowerment series will soon be launched across the 10 federal constituencies, ensuring direct engagement with the people and shaping the 2026 People’s Budget.
“Akwa Ibom is a destination of choice,” the governor declared.
“We are peaceful, hospitable, and blessed with the finest cuisines in the nation. Our road network is among the best in the country, and Ibom Air continues to set the standard in aviation excellence. We invite the world to come, invest, live, and thrive in our beautiful state.”
As the night drew to a close, it was evident that Arise Happy Hour was more than just an event—it was a statement of purpose. It showcased a government that values hard work, entrepreneurship, culture, and excellence.
“This is what Happy Hour represents—reward for hard work, talent, creativity, and industry. When you put in the work, you should also take the time to celebrate your efforts.”
With the promise of continued economic empowerment, infrastructural development, and inclusive governance, Akwa Ibom is indeed rising, its people rising with it. And as the last notes of music faded into the night, one thing was certain: Happy Hour had begun.
*Aniekan Umanah is a former member of the House of Representatives and writes from Abak, Akwa Ibom State
Akwa Ibom to host maiden Niger Delta Sports Festival •Governor Eno assures quality hosting
•Governor Umo Eno (L) and NDDC boss, Samuel Ogbuku
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has assured the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief Samuel Ogbuku, and its management that the state is willing and ready to ensure quality hosting of the maiden edition of the Niger Delta Sports Festival.
Addressing a delegation of the commission led by Ogbuku in Government House, Uyo, the governor noted that sports remains a veritable source of strengthening the existing bonds amongst Niger Delta States and its people.
Governor Eno conveyed the gratitude of the government and people of the State for the visit, and particularly for choice of Akwa Ibom State as venue for the first ever Niger Delta Sports Festival.
He assured the delegation that the state will set up a working team to drive the process with the NDDC team towards ensuring a grand event.
The governor appreciated the NDDC boss for acknowledging the development strides of the state government, and attributed it to efforts of successive leaders of the state.
He expressed optimism that the sports festival, beyond fostering unity and collaboration among the component states of the region, will launch budding talents in the region to limelight and boost the local economy in the state.
Addressing the governor earlier, Ogbuku described the diversity in the region as its beauty and said the regional commission is a common identity that showcases the beauty in its diversity as well as the shared needs of the people of the area.
He said that beyond infrastructure development in the area, the Commission has resolved to further foster unity and promote the abundant sports talents in the area by initiating a regional sport festival.
The NDDC boss explained that the unanimous adoption of Uyo as venue for the event by the board was occasioned by the serenity of the State and availability of requisite infrastructure, especially the Goodwill Akpabio International Stadium, adding that the event is scheduled to hold from April 1- 8, 2025, to commemorate the Commission’s 25th anniversary.
“It is not only because Akwa Ibom is the Promise Land, but Akwa Ibom has also been able to provide the right facilities to accommodate the 20 sporting events that we’re putting together for the Niger Delta Sports Festival.
“So the Goodwill Akpabio International Stadium is the venue for this sports festival. So Your Excellency, we are here to let you know that we the Board, Management and Staff of the NDDC came together to say, we are giving the hosting right of the maiden edition of the Niger Delta Sports Festival to Akwa Ibom State,” Ogbuku stated.
Athletes, sports lovers and stakeholders across the nine states of Nigeria’s Niger Delta region are expected to converge on Uyo, for the one week the festival will hold, to share brotherhood and showcase talents.
Christmas Unplugged 2.0: Winners smile home with N155 million as governor declares all 31 LGAs winners
•Governor Eno
In a spontaneous pleasant surprise, winners in the 2024 Christmas Unplugged Season 2.0, Sights and Sounds of Local Government Areas competition, have smiled home with an unexpected staggering winning prize of N155 million.
The winners as declared by the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno PhD, are all the 31 local government areas that participated effectively and committed towards clinching the prizes hitherto lined-up for the Top 3 LGAs in the Sights and Sounds segment of the Christmas Unplugged Season 2.0.
This Winning Prize presentation brings officially to an end, the 32 days 2024 Christmas Unplugged Season 2.0, celebration, which lasted from December 01, 2024 to January 01, 2025, featuring a showcase of the cultural heritage and tourism potentials of all the 31 Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State.
Announcing the Winning Prize sum of N155m, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Mrs. Grace Akpan said, the surprise declaration of all the 31 LGAs of the state winners in the Christmas Unplugged Season 2.0, is a demonstration of the large heart, benevolence spirit and the all inclusive governance disposition of Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno PhD.
•Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Culture and Tourism Mrs Grace Akpan
The tourism ministry permanent secretary disclosed that, with the whopping prize sum, each of the 31 LGAs will be carting home the sum of N5m as reward for participating effectively in the competition.
Akpan who was speaking at the Evening of Grants and Empowerment organised by the state government at the Amphitheatre, Unity Park, Uyo, expressed deep gratitude to the governor for his show of love and magnanimity towards the people of Akwa Ibom State since assumption of office.
She had earlier in her presentation explained the modalities involved in the selection of winners in the Christmas Unplugged Season 2.0 where she enlisted the A-List team put together to carry out the process and enumerated the criteria used in selecting winners to include: Organisation and Coordination, Contingent Appearance and Number of Cultural troupes, Local Cuisine on Display, Major Economic and Cultural Activities showcased and Functional Use of Local Dialects in presentation.
The permanent secretary said the Christmas Unplugged programme is part of measures enunciated in the ARISE Agenda of Governor Umo Eno geared towards the development of entrepreneurship and tourism in the state.
The evening which witnessed presentation of different categories of grants to different groups was spiced with performances by Flavour, Misto Xto, young professionals, among others.
The evening was graced by the governor, Pastor Umo Eno, the Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, Lady Helen Obareki, the political class as well as d’ creme of Akwa Ibom society.
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