The minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has applauded the apolitical style of leadership exhibited by Governor Umo Eno, since he took office on May 29, 2023, noting that he has been able to jettison party politics by spreading the message of unity in governance, and for building bridges of development rather than walls of demarcation.
Tunji-Ojo, expressed these sentiments when he led heads of agencies under his ministry on a condolence visit to the governor at the Hilltop Mansion, Government House, Uyo, following the demise of his dear wife, Pastor Patience Eno.
Governor Eno who described his wife as a visionary and virtuous woman, said he was grateful to God that though she, by human standard, did not live long enough, but lived the future she dreamt of when she accepted to marry him 38 years ago.
He reaffirmed his resolve to ensure that all she believed in and lived for were kept alive through the coordination of the office of the first lady, by her eldest daughter, Mrs. Helen Obareki.
He, therefore, appreciated the federal delegation for the gesture, affirming that the visit of the minister with heads of the various agencies under the Federal Ministry of Interior, “speaks volumes and demonstrated the true Nigerian spirit of being your brother’s keeper.”
He noted that the state government has enjoyed support from the various agencies under the Interior Ministry and assured of further collaborations. He announced the official ground – breaking ceremony for the construction of a modern facility for the Federal Correctional Service, in line with his administration’s resolve to intervene in salvaging the Centre in Uyo.
He said: “Yes, it is a Federal Correctional Centre, but to be honest, the larger number of people there are Akwa Ibomites. So, if we keep building this dichotomy, it creates a problem. Where we are now is a valley; it is an erosion site and it is already caving – in. We looked at it and reasoned that one day, it could collapse.”
Governor Eno, therefore, solicited the partnership of the Federal Fire Service (FFS) with the State Ministry of Works and Fire Service to ensure a robust fire emergency response system in the state.
“I am going to interact very closely and very strongly with the fire service, because for our fire service here, I am not again too happy with what is on ground. Fire is fire, whether it is handled by federal or state. All of these things are just nomenclature. At the end of the day, it is service to humanity and our people,” he added.
Speaking further, interior minister Tunji-Ojo, described Governor Eno as a pillar of support for the entrenchment of internal security in Nigeria and lauded his governance disposition in unifying the people and connecting the various levels of government for the good of the people, irrespective of party differences.
He stressed that Akwa Ibom government was the first to have indicated interest and offered to foot the bill of salvaging a Correctional Centre in the state.
“Considering the fact that you’re of the PDP extraction but you understand that regardless of party, we’re Nigerians. I want to thank you for the spirit of unification, for deciding to be a bridge builder rather than a wall of demarcation,” he stressed, and described the death of the first lady as “not just a loss to the family but to the nation and entire humanity,” praying that “the Governor and your immediate family will take solace in the wonderful script her life wrote.”
“It’s a tough one but I want you to know that God is with you and Nigerians are with you, and I want you to know that the President, the father of the nation, is with you in this trying time,” he assured.
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