Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has been selected for a prestigious national honour, recognising his administration's work in driving sustainable development and empowering local communities.
National Recognition for Grassroots Impact
Pastor Umo Eno will be formally presented with the Distinguished Award for Excellence in Sustainable Development and Community Empowerment at the Nigeria Excellence Awards in Public Service (NEAPS). The ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, 7 December 2025, at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will personally confer the award, following an official communication signed by M. S. Danjuma, FCNA, the Permanent Secretary (General Services Office), acting on behalf of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. The NEAPS programme is organised by The Best Strategic Media in partnership with the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and it highlights public officials and institutions making significant contributions to national progress.
The ARISE Agenda: Foundation for the Award
The nomination directly acknowledges Governor Eno's persistent efforts in promoting sustainable development and strengthening initiatives that focus on community welfare across Akwa Ibom State. A central pillar of this recognition is his administration's ARISE Agenda.
This policy framework prioritises several key areas:
- Comprehensive rural development
- Robust agricultural support for farmers
- Enhancing productivity within the public service
- Improving welfare packages for vulnerable groups in the state
These concerted initiatives have formed a substantial part of the basis for this national honour.
A Growing Collection of Accolades
Since taking office, Governor Umo Eno has accumulated a series of awards from various professional bodies and independent institutions, signalling a rising national interest in his approach to governance. These accolades have consistently highlighted his administration's focus on transparency, swift responsiveness to citizens, tangible infrastructure delivery, and maintaining an open-door policy with the media.
Analysts observe that while these awards vary in their specific scope and criteria, they collectively underscore Akwa Ibom State's increasing prominence in national discussions concerning public sector performance and effectiveness.
Some of the notable recognitions from the past two years include:
- The Nigerian Guild of Editors’ Excellence Award for Good Governance, which praised the government's media-friendly stance.
- The Social Media Governor of the Year Award by NISMA for innovative public communication.
- Governor of the Year (2024) by Leadership Group Limited.
- Best Governor of the Year (2024) by the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, citing fiscal discipline and grassroots impact.
Even security sector organisations have acknowledged the state government's support. The Security Watch Africa Initiative and the Nigeria Police Force, Akwa Ibom Command, have each presented separate awards commending the administration's contributions to operational effectiveness and safety.
On a continental scale, Governor Eno was honoured at the African Business Leadership Awards in London as the African Governor of the Year for Infrastructure Development. This award spotlighted specific achievements in infrastructure upgrades, water sector improvements, and strategic long-term planning.
Symbolism and Scrutiny
As Governor Eno prepares to attend the NEAPS ceremony in Abuja, political observers note that this award will draw further attention to Akwa Ibom's development trajectory. It specifically highlights the administration's concerted efforts to build a governance model that is genuinely centred on community needs and empowerment.
While such honours are largely symbolic, they are often viewed as a reflection of broader national assessments regarding service delivery and administrative performance. This latest award reinforces the narrative of a state actively pursuing impactful, people-oriented policies under Governor Umo Eno's leadership.
