The Arewa Journalists Forum, an umbrella organization of all journalists of Northern Nigeria extraction spread across the country with its National Secretariat in Abuja, has congratulated Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State for his accomplishments within a year in office.
In a statement jointly endorsed by the President of the body, Hassan Galadima and Secretary General, Abraham Awodi, the forum said the Governor has distinguished himself in leadership in all the criteria deployed for selection, including development efforts, inclusivity in governance, education, agricultural programmes, care for the vulnerable and general approach to governance.
The Arewa Journalists Forum praised the Governor for changing the narrative, and ‘giving a practical definition of democracy by taking power to the people, spiced with aggressive rural development’.
The statement reads in parts; “Based on the reports from our partnership with NISMA, and our members, most of whom are resident in the respective States, and the media reports we have monitored over time, we are thrilled by the accomplishments of the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency, Governor Umo Eno”.
“He has distinguished himself in leadership in all the criteria we deployed for selection”.
“First of all, Governor Umo Eno has shown clearly that he stands for the unity and progress of Nigeria beyond the rubric of rhetoric. Governor Umo Eno has not only appointed non indigenes into his government, he ensures that each ethnic group in Nigeria has been brought into his administration. This is not just novel, but has the capacity of strengthening the chords of Nigeria’s unity, dispelling distrust and unnecessary ethnic tension. It is not that others may not have brought in non-indigenes into their governance, this is the first time each ethnic group has its own representative in a government of another State in Nigeria”.
Appraising the Governor’s one year in office, the forum declared that Umo Eno stands out as a true leader, pacesetter in development, a detribalized Nigerian and a model for others to emulate.
“We are advocates of good governance and responsible leadership, and strive to keep leaders on their toes, commending those who merit it to encourage others, and objectively criticizing those who fall below expectations in order to make them sit up. Hence, we continue to track developments and highlight such wherever they are found irrespective of region and religion”
“Based on the reports from our partnership with NISMA, and our members, most of whom are resident in the respective States, and the media reports we have monitored over time, we are thrilled by the accomplishments of the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency, Governor Umo Eno”.
“He has distinguished himself in leadership in all the criteria we deployed for selection, including development efforts, inclusivity in governance, education, agricultural programmes, care for the vulnerable and general approach to governance. In all ramifications, Governor Umo Eno has changed the narrative, and given a practical definition of democracy by taking power to the people, spiced with aggressive rural development”.
“First of all, Governor Umo Eno has shown clearly that he stands for the unity and progress of Nigeria beyond the rubric of rhetoric. Governor Umo Eno has not only appointed non indigenes into his government, he ensures that each ethnic group in Nigeria has been brought into his administration. This is not just novel, but has the capacity of strengthening the chords of Nigeria’s unity, dispelling distrust and unnecessary ethnic tension. It is not that others may not have brought in non-indigenes into their governance, this is the first time each ethnic group has its own representative in a government of another State in Nigeria”.
“As if that was not enough, we have also been informed that Governor Umo Eno has given grants to the non-indigenes doing business in Akwa Ibom State to help them grow their businesses, and keep them afloat during the economic hardship of the country. We do not think that Governor Eno owed them this gesture, it is done out of love and commitment to service. This is a portrait of a truly detribalised Nigerian”.
