Governor Eno charts new economic path for Akwa Ibom
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has said that the ongoing State Executive Council (EXCO) retreat is strategically designed to reposition the state as an economic powerhouse beyond its traditional reliance on oil.
The four-day retreat, currently holding in Lagos, brings together members of the State Executive Council, Delivery Advisors, Heads of Departments, and key stakeholders to deliberate on how best to deliver on the administration’s ARISE Agenda.
In his welcome address, Governor Eno emphasized that the retreat aims to instill a culture of accountability and focus on results across all arms of government, as part of his broader vision for economic growth, peace, and shared prosperity in the state.
“We have assembled a great team of speakers drawn from diverse backgrounds, and I know we are going to have a great and exciting time,” the governor said. “Though this is essentially an EXCO retreat, we brought in all our delivery team members and stakeholders to reinforce our commitment to timely project delivery.”
He noted that some members of the current EXCO were part of the 2023 retreat shortly after his inauguration and have a deep understanding of the administration’s performance-based approach. Governor Eno praised the Tony Blair Institute for its continued support, particularly acknowledging facilitators for sharing valuable insights.
Addressing the pace of development, the governor charged participants to approach the retreat with urgency and purpose. “We are running against time,” he said, stressing the administration’s goal to complete major projects within the next two years.
He also clarified the distinct responsibilities of State Delivery Advisors and Commissioners. While the Advisors are tasked with completing inherited key projects, Commissioners are expected to initiate and deliver new projects aligned with the administration’s development blueprint. “If I were to suggest a theme for this retreat, it would be ‘Teaming for Greater Success.’ We need synergy, collaboration, loyalty, and commitment to recording tangible results,” Governor Eno declared.
Day One of the retreat featured presentations from Tuulia Pitkanen, a Senior Adviser at the Tony Blair Institute and former Chief of Staff to the Finnish Prime Minister, who spoke on translating the governor’s vision into actionable policies and prioritizing key interventions. Other speakers included Mr. Emem Bob on budget planning and fiscal outlook, and Mr. Aniekan Umanah on government communication and reputation management.
