Akwa Ibom State governor, Pastor Umo Eno has expressed delight at the prestigious LEADERSHIP newspaper award bestowed on him as the Governor of the Year 2024.
Governor Eno said the excellence leadership laurel remains an elixir for more dedication and commitment to delivering the dividends of democracy to the Akwa Ibom people.
He, therefore, charged members of his team to redouble their efforts in ensuring that more impacts of good governance were felt by the people of the State.
According to Governor Eno, the avalanche of accolades on him by several media and non-media organisations, showed that he was being more closely watched and that his positive trajectory of development programmes passionately followed across the globe.
Governor Eno was speaking at the ongoing State Executive Council (SEC) Retreat in Lagos, shortly the award was received on his behalf by his deputy, Dr. Akon Eyakenyi.
Welcoming back the delegation from Abuja, the Governor said he took the difficult decision of being represented at the award ceremony, because of the high premium he placed on the ongoing retreat, and again thanked the management of LEADERSHIP Newspaper for finding him worthy.
He said, “I was meant to be in Paris for a very important international engagement today, and I was also meant to be in Abuja for the LEADERSHIP Newspaper award. But I couldn’t attend any of them because this retreat is very serious business which we had already planned.
“I thank God for the award and it is to God’s Glory that we are being celebrated and honoured.
“I dedicated the previous award on me by ThisDay Newspaper and Arise News TV to my political father, Deacon Udom Emmanuel, for identifying me and supporting me all the way.
“When I didn’t have confidence in myself, he stood by me and urged me on. A good child dances and receives accolades and brings honour to his parents.
“I dedicate this particular award to all members of our team, both past and present.
“It is a call for more work and I believe we all know that the world is watching us. God forbid we drop the ball, they are also watching.”
The deputy governor who stood in for his principal at the award ceremony, extolled Governor Eno for making the State proud through his achievements.
“Akwa Ibom people are proud of you. So many Akwa Ibom people came to Abuja to identify with you.
“I walked out proudly as an Akwa Ibom person to receive this award on your behalf.
“The organisers spoke glowingly of you and you were highly regarded in the order of precedence”, she said.
On her delegation to receive the award were the Commissioner for Information, Elder Aniekan Umanah; Political Adviser to the Governor, Chief Godwin Ntukudeh; the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ekerete Udoh; House of Assembly member representing Nsit Ibom, Hon Eric Akpan and Honourary Special Adviser to the Governor, Mrs Owoidighe Ekpoattai.
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