•Governor Umo Eno receives his award
Many observers have described the focus on rural development in the past two years by Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State as unprecedented. That is the fact and that is the truth. And that is why President Bola Tinubu, December 6, 2025, inside the Conference Hall of the State House, Abuja, singled out Governor Eno, for the National Excellence Award, on Sustainable Development and Community Empowerment.
For more than two years, spanning May 2023 to October 2025, the governor’s commitment to rural development has been nothing short of extraordinary.
Akwa Ibom State has seen in real terms sweeping initiatives that reverberate across the landscapes of our remote villages and hinterlands, unlocking potential and fostering sustainable growth.
At the heart of this progress lies the ambitious and aggressive support for MSMEs and vocational skills training programmes, which have empowered hundreds of thousands of youths not just with skills but a source of livelihoods, self-confidence and self-actualisation.
With generous grants extended to even the vocational trainees in technical institutions, young aspiring entrepreneurs in rural areas are not merely learning trades but are enhancing their futures —cultivating a culture of self-sufficiency that resonates and impacts rural families and communities immensely.
Agricultural support constitutes a key pillar of Umo Eno Administration’s vision known as ARISE Agenda. By investing large sums of monies, ranging from ₦500,000 to ₦5,000,000 into individual pockets of diligent rural farmers, the governor has sparked a rebirth in agricultural productivity, fostering resilience against challenges and ensuring food security.
These investments are not simply funds; they are seeds of hope sowed into the fertile soil of determination, resulting in bountiful harvests that nourish not just bodies but aspirations.
This renewed support of agriculture has been a clarion call, so to speak, to the indomitable spirit of entrepreneurship that thrives within rural Akwa Ibom. Governor Eno’s generous support of agriculture has catalyzed a wave of agric innovation and creativity, allowing individuals in the hinterland to transform their ideas into viable enterprises.
This empowerment not only stimulates the local economy but also cultivates a sense of ownership and pride among our people, invigorating the very fabric of community life.
The Umo Eno Administration also recognises the vital role of local traders in carving out pathways of commercial resilience. With financial assistance ranging from ₦250,000 to ₦450,000, local traders are able to bolster their businesses, enhancing trade relations and ensuring that markets flourish.
This is not merely about financial transactions; it symbolises a commitment to communal wealth and prosperity, breathing life into the marketplace — a space that has always been the heartbeat of rural society.
Youth development has found its champion in the Umo Eno Administration, with the launch of a grant initiative that offers ₦500,000 to young individuals aiming to forge their paths. This gesture is a testament to the belief that the youth are not just the leaders of tomorrow but the changemakers of today.
By equipping them with capital and resources, the Administration is bridging the gap between aspirations and achievements, fostering a generation that is empowered, motivated, and ready to take on the world.
Furthermore, the focus on infrastructural development in rural roads, healthcare, and education has been widely applauded and appreciated. It paints a poignant picture of holistic growth, as each new road paved is a pathway opened to unlimited opportunities.
Healthcare facilities built and well-equipped at the grassroots, along with medical professionals demonstrate real commitment to the well-being of our rural folks, and each model school constructed signifies investment in our future.
The aim is to democratise access to education, healthcare and other services in rural areas. By strengthening rural healthcare infrastructure, Governor Eno has not only improved health outcomes but has also increased life expectancy of rural dwellers, building confidence in the suitability and quality of life in the hinterlands.
Similarly, world class model schools built in each all the 31 LGAs points to the Educational goals of ARISE Agenda as a cornerstone of Akwa Ibom vision for a prosperous future and the understanding that educating our children fosters intellectual growth and equips them with the skills needed in the job market in a rapidly changing world.
To further accelerate the provision of additional projects and programmes at the grassroots, Governor Eno has broken from the mold to ensure funds from the Federation Account meant for the LGAs are not tampered with by the State government. This has witnessed commendable initiatives such as scholarship programs for higher education, vocational training and empowerment of youths by many Council Administrations in Akwa Ibom State.
These initiatives in grassroots empowerment, community engagement and participatory governance, exemplified by the novel introduction of town hall and town square meetings across all federal constituencies in Akwa Ibom State, has set Governor Eno apart and above his contemporaries.
True, visible and concrete progress has been achieved because rural citizens have been given a voice in the processes that affect their lives. Regular town hall meetings have generated feedback mechanisms and participatory budgeting initiatives that ensure that the needs and aspirations of rural communities are assessed, heard and addressed.
These critical initiatives have given credibility and strength to democracy and fostered a sense of participation and ownership of the grassroots development deliverables.
*Anietie Usen writes in from Uyo
