•First Lady Remi Tinubu and Governor Umo Eno
IMA-OBONG AKPANTUEN, Uyo reporting
Akwa Ibom State governor, Pastor Umo Eno, says President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has not forgotten his promise to support the realisation of the Ibom Deep Seaport, assuring Akwa Ibomites that the federal government remains committed to projects that will boost the economic fortunes of the state.
He spoke when thousands of women from across the state gathered yesterday at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium for the 2026 International Women’s Day Celebration.
The event, held with the global theme “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls”, had as Special Guest, wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Governor Eno expressed gratitude to the president for key federal projects impacting the state, most outstanding of all, the ongoing construction of the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway.
According to him, the coastal highway project and the promised Ibom Deep Seaport would open up new economic opportunities for Akwa Ibom and the Niger Delta region.
“Your Excellency, please convey the greetings of Akwa Ibom people to the president for the coastal road that he is doing and is passing through Akwa Ibom. In no distant time, we shall go to Lagos within five hours. Thank you so much.
“Thank you, Mr. President, for the expectation of the Ibom Deep Seaport, because many times when I discuss with him, he tells me “I will give you the Ibom Deep Seaport”.
“I hold on to that promise and I know it shall come to pass.”
Governor Eno thanked the president’s wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for visiting the state to commission the Senior Citizens Centre, one of three such facilities planned to provide succour for elderly citizens in the state.
“Thank you, Your Excellency, for honouring my wife today by commissioning the Elderly Citizens Center that we have named Senator Oluremi Tinubu Senior Citizens Center.
“This is just one of three that we will do, and we are sending a bill to the House of Assembly to pass a law, even just as the National Assembly is about to do so, to be able to take care of our elderly.”
In her address, the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, commended Akwa Ibom women for their massive turnout and vibrant participation at the event.
She thanked them for their continued support for President Tinubu and assured that the administration is working hard to ensure Nigeria’s economy grows stronger while improving the welfare of women and families across the country.
In his remarks, the Senate President, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, said the large turnout demonstrated the strong political voice of women in Akwa Ibom state, noting that the women of the state had clearly expressed their readiness to support President Tinubu’s return to office.
Senator Akpabio also told Governor Eno that the women had affirmed their support for his leadership in the state, alluding that “when the righteous is on the throne, the people rejoice”, while commending the governor’s unifying leadership style.
The wife of the Senate President, Mrs. Ekaette Unoma Akpabio, said women across Nigeria are increasingly clamouring for their rights and recognition.
She was happy that women in Akwa Ibom State have thrown their support behind President Tinubu, Senate President Akpabio and Governor Eno.
In her speech, the Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, recounted that women turned out massively during visits to the 31 local government areas of the state during their rounds of sensitization tour.
She, alongside Lady Obareki, led other women in the state to make a public proclamation endorsing President Tinubu for a second term in office, citing what she described as result-driven projects aimed at stabilizing the nation.
According to her, the president has also promoted women’s participation in politics, recognizing them as a vital force in national development.
She also added that the women equally pledge their unalloyed support for Senate President Akpabio and Governor Eno for their outstanding leadership and commitment to women’s participation in politics.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, Akwa Ibom state, Noble Lady Helen Eno Obareki, said it was an honour for Akwa Ibom State to be selected to host the celebration.
She explained that the theme of the celebration highlights the need to promote women’s rights, ensure justice and take concrete actions to support women and girls.
Lady Obareki also highlighted some achievements of the Golden Initiative For All (GIFA) and commended Governor Eno for adopting the Senior Citizens Initiative, which currently supports more than 10,000 elderly citizens in the state.
Delivering a goodwill message, the Minister for Women Affairs, Hon. Hajia Suleman, praised the administration of President Tinubu for what she described as unprecedented investment in women. She said Nigerian women are pleased with the government’s policies and programmes.
The Minister also commended the initiative of Akwa Ibom state to form women into cooperative societies as it aligns with the federal government plans to empower them through cooperative grants and collective initiatives.
In her vote of thanks, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Akwa Ibom State, Hon. Inibehe Silas Etukudo, thanked the First Lady for choosing the state to celebrate this year’s International Women’s Day. She noted that women across the state had spoken with one voice in endorsing the leadership of President Tinubu, Senator Akpabio and Governor Eno.
The event featured several cultural and artistic performances, including a welcome song by women from Uyo Senatorial District, presentations by the Women Association of Local Government of Nigeria (WALGON), cultural displays by women from Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District, a drama presentation by women from Eket Senatorial District on the 1929 Women’s Riot, a special talk by Mrs. Mfon Ekpo, and the presentation of a proclamation and endorsement of President Tinubu, Senator Akpabio and Governor Eno by Senator Eyakenyi alongside Lady Helen Obareki.
Women leaders, political stakeholders and community groups from across the state were also in attendance to mark this year’s International Women’s Day celebration.
