•Governor Umo Eno
NKENEKE EFO, Uyo reporting
This year’s birthday celebration of Governor Umo Eno turned out an unforgettable experience for orphans, widows, the physically challenged and several vulnerable citizens and residents of Akwa Ibom State.
A cross section of Akwa Ibom people ranging from politicians, public office holders, to ordinary citizens, thronged orphanages, hospitals and homes with beautifully wrapped gifts and festive food items to celebrate the governor with them.
In a statement prior to the birthday, the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Ekerete Udoh, had said “in place of elaborate celebrations and other expressions of love and goodwill through gift items, the governor will appreciate if such resources could be channelled to orphanages and the less privileged; visits to hospitals and other humanitarian acts that would significantly bring joy and cheers to the neediest on his birthday. He wants the occasion of his birthday to be one where the spirit of altruism and kindness resonate throughout the land.”
Accordingly, the day was filled with the spirit of kindness, compassion and benevolence, a trade mark of the governor, throughout the length and breadth of the state.
Leading the charge, Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, alongside aides and staff of her office, visited the Mother Charles Walker Children’s Home to share love with the children.
The Secretary to the State Government, through the Enobong Uwah Foundation, hosted 50 ‘amazing’ but ‘unusual’ guests to a “Birthday Dinner That Touched The Heart.”
The guests, young ones whose daily lives don’t often come with luxury or ease, were treated to sumptuous meals at a top-class restaurant, with warmth, laughter, and love resonating.
According to the Foundation, it was a moment to make them feel seen, valued, and worthy of every good thing that life has to offer.
To crown the night, each child received a special gift box with thoughtful items and a cash token, because little acts of kindness can leave lasting impacts.
The College of Commissioners and Special Advisers, led by its Dean, Hon Frank Archibong, visited the Special Children’s Home where they shared meals, laughter and gifts with the children.
Archibong later celebrated the day with traditional rulers in the State, at the Traditional Rulers Chambers on Wellington Bassey Way, Uyo.
Some other commissioners also had private celebrations in honour of the governor.
Commissioner for Information, Hon Aniekan Umanah, paid a visit to Mfonabasi Orphanage Home in Ikot Oku Mfang, Abak, where he donated essential items, including two sewing machines, to support skills acquisition in fashion designing, other gift items and cash donation to some children of the centre billed to write the University and Tertiary Matriculation Examination during the week.
Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Offiong Offor, met with vegetable farmers at the Technology Incubation Centre, Nung Oku, Ibesikpo Asutan, and empowered them with essential inputs to enhance food production.
She described the empowerment as a symbolic gesture in honor of the Governor’s birthday, adding that the Ministry would continue to implement broader programs to support more farmers in different value chains.
Commissioner for Transport, Dr Anthony Luke, led stakeholders in the sector, to visit the God is Able Bone Clinic, a traditional bone-setting centre in Ibiono Ibom to celebrate the Governor’s birthday with accident victims and bone fracture patients.
The Commissioner offered prayers for the patients’ quick recovery and presented them with cash gifts to support their treatment.
“Our governor is a compassionate leader who deeply cares for the welfare of his people. Today, he has chosen to mark his birthday with you. As officials overseeing transportation in Akwa Ibom, we sympathize with those of you who suffered accidents—whether by bus, car, tricycle, or motorcycle. We pray for your full recovery and restoration,” Luke said.
Some accident victims who spoke with journalists praised the Governor for his kindness and leadership, seeking further support to ease their suffering.
For Hon Emem Ibanga, Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, the day was spent on a special initiative to empower indigent final – year students across tertiary institutions in Akwa Ibom State.
From the University of Uyo to Akwa Ibom State University and the School of Nursing, she identified and supported students from departments including Chemistry, Pharmacy, Nursing, Microbiology, Political Science, Human Kinetics, and Health Education, and also extended support to a student living with disabilities, reflecting the governor’s deep commitment to inclusivity and social equity.
According to her, the initiative “isn’t just a birthday felicitation, it is a reaffirmation of Governor Umo Eno’s people-centric governance style. His leadership teaches us that compassion is not a weakness — it is strategic strength.”
Other commissioners like Dr Ubuo Ubuo, Water Resources, celebrated the day by giving out free fuel to motorcyclists, while Dr Ubong Inyang, Commerce Trade and Industry, visited the Ikot Ambon market in Ibiono Ibom where he bought items from traders. Dr Anieti Udofia, Commissioner for Culture visited Foundation For The Marooned (FOMA) Children’s Shelter at 29 Esa Akpan-Ata, Ikot Obong Edong, Itu LGA where he presented food items, provisions, toiletries and birthday cake to the special children.
Dr. Anieti Udofia also visited the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, UUTH, where he stopped by the delivery suites of the Hospital to present cash donations to mothers of newborns to assist them to settle their medical bills.
At UUTH, Dr. Udofia congratulated the new-born who shared the same birthday with Governor Eno and presented Cash gift to the mother of the newborn as well as other newborns mothers in the delivery suites.
Local Government Chairmen, led by the State Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON, Dr Uwemedimo Udo, visited the Leprosy Hospital, Ekpene Obom, Etinan, where they donated food and other items to the inmates.
Udo who is also the Chairman of Uyo Local Government Area, said funds used in buying the gift items came from members of the association who have all seen the need to follow the footsteps of the Governor who is an unrepentant lover of the common man.
“We are here today to celebrate the birthday of our dear Governor, Pastor Umo Eno PhD, whom you know has love for the people.
“The chairmen here feel your pains and have come to identify with you. It is our prayer that God will continue to keep our Governor healthy to continue in his good works for the people. I also pray that you will enjoy good health as well,’ Udo said.
In Nsit Ubium Local Government Area, the Chairman, Hon Alfred Charles, declared open a 3-day free medical outreach for his people to celebrate the day. Holding at the premises of Cottage Hospital, Akai Ubium, the outreach, themed “Spreading Love Through Medical Healthcare,” was focused on surgical operations, eye care/provision of eye glasses and medication. On the first day, 54 major operations were carried out, while over 600 persons received free eye care and others treated for malaria and other minor diseases, according to the Medical Superintendent of the hospital, Dr Afia Archibong.
Chairman of Esit Eket Local Government Area, Mrs Uduak Ikemesit Ikot, celebrated the birthday with orphans at the Shalom Orphanage Home in Ikpa Town.
Personal Aides to the Governor visited the Salvation Army Children/Orphanage Home, at Akai Ubium, Nsit Ubium. Led by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Research and Documentation, Dr Essien Ndueso, the aides presented various gift items to the children. Matron of the Home, Lt. Esther Anietie Samuel expressed appreciation to the Governor’s aides, describing Governor Eno as a compassionate leader who is renowned for his consistent support for vulnerable children.
Another group of the Governor’s aides, led by Special Assistant/ Chief Photographer to the Governor, Idara Adiakpan, visited the Qua Iboe Church Leprosy Hospital, Ekpene Obom, Etinan, where they presented gifts items to the inmates. Some other aides also marked it privately with visits to homes of the less privileged. Special Assistant on Protocol to the Governor, Bassey Archibong, visited the Divine Children’s Home, Atan Offot, Uyo, while Special Assistant on Religious Matters, Pastor Ini-ima Umoh, visited Government Children’s home at Chubb Road, Ikot Ekpene, where they shared love with the children there.
Special Assistant on Media, Emma Akpabio, visited his hometown, Ikot Akpan Eda, Ekparakwa, Oruk Anam where he gave wrappers to 50 women.
Members of the legislature were not left out, as, aside congratulatory messages, some held ‘courts’ with the poor and needy, to celebrate the Governor’s birthday.
Rt Hon Okpolupm Etteh, member representing Eket/Esit Eket/ONNA/Ibeno, in the House of Representatives, marked the day with persons living with disabilities from his constituency where he shared 250 bags of rice and cash to each of them.
Member representing Etinan State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Hon Uduak Ekpo-Ufot, presented N10,000 each to the first 61 people from his constituency who visited his office that day.
Female Councillors under the aegis of the Akwa Ibom State Female Councillors Forum, led by Comrade Idongesit Micah Eno, visited St Anthony of Padua Destitute Centre in Uyo, to celebrate the day with the children.
Agencies of government like the Akwa Ibom State Health Insurance Agency also celebrated the Governor by commiting to enrolling children in all the motherless babies homes in the state during the presentation of Android tablest to 10 ‘high burden’ health facilities for proper data collection to enhance their delivery, to mark the day.
Impressed by the outpouring of love for the needy on the day, Governor Eno, in a note of appreciation, said he was “hugely grateful,” and remains ‘dedicated to the prioritization of the security and welfare of our people.”
