By Edet Ikotdem
Pastor Umo Eno, the State Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources and a PDP governorship candidate in the coming election, has pledged that if won, he will use the office of Governor to create a favorable atmosphere for more industries that will produce jobs for the state’s teeming youths.
Pastor Eno, a business magnate, was meeting with PDP delegates in the Uyo Senatorial District to seek their assistance in realizing his vision for the state.
Pastor Eno told the participants at the consultation in Ibom Hall, Uyo, that he was not making a political pledge, but rather a mission he had taken upon himself after 30 years in business, establishing jobs and employment for thousands of kids.He said there was the need to further the development of the State and consolidate on the peace and industrialization efforts of Governor Udom Emmanuel.
Pastor Eno, who has 35 years of expertise in banking, marketing, management, and hospitality and is a graduate of Pan African University’s Lagos Business School, believes he is the greatest candidate for the top job.
The PDP governorship candidate stated that he has gained expertise in both the private and public sectors as an entrepreneur who has employed over three thousand people for many years.
He announced that the State Government, through his office as Commissioner for Lands, had signed a Certificate of Occupancy with the BUA Group of Companies, a leading manufacturing conglomerate, for the construction of a petroleum refinery in the state.
Pastor Eno said the people of Akwa Ibom stand to benefit more when elected Governor as he would attract his business partners, investors, corporate bodies and companies to the State.
He described PDP delegates as critical stakeholders in the forthcoming general election, urging them to support the sustenance of peace and development in the State.
starwitness Correspondent reports that Pastor Umo Eno was given a rousing welcome by the PDP delegates, who came in large numbers from the twelve Local Government Areas of Uyo Senatorial District.
Among those in the entourage were the Director General of Pastor Umo Eno Campaign Organization, Chief Assam Assam, his Deputy and International Coordinator of Maintain Peace Movement, Barr. Emmanuel, who described Pastor Eno as an asset to Akwa Ibom, expressing confidence that with him as Governor, the State will witness another round of peace and transformation.
In the meantime, political stakeholders of Uyo Senatorial District, say they don’t have any governorship candidate for 2023 election other than Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, the incumbent Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources.
The Political Leader of the area, Senator Effiong Bob announced the decision yesterday when Pastor Umo Eno consulted Uyo Senatorial District stakeholders in his residence.
Senator Bob, a former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice described Pastor Eno as tested and trusted, stressing that Uyo Senatorial District stands for truth and cannot be intimidated to take a decision that would not bring peace to the entire State.
A motion for the endorsement was moved by former Speaker, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Dr. Anietie Etuk and seconded by another former Speaker, Engr. Ignatius Edet.
Addressing the people, Pastor Umo Eno thanked the people of Uyo Senatorial District for the confidence reposed in him.
He challenged other governorship aspirants to present their blueprint and tell the people how they intend to actualize it, instead of giving people peanuts out of abundance in an attempt to perpetually keep them as slaves.
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Pastor Eno said his government would put good money in the pockets of the youths whom he described as strong pillars of any society.
He said former Governor, Obong Victor Attah laid the foundation for a prosperous Akwa Ibom and was built upon by his successor, Chief Godswill Akpabio and Governor Udom Emmanuel, who expanded it to industrialization of the State with Ibom Air, the first ever in the country.
The governorship aspirant said dark days of killings and kidnappings were over in Akwa Ibom as his government would expand the development strides of past Governors in the area of youth employment, human capital development and wealth creation.
In a remark, the Director General of Umo Eno’s Campaign Organization, Chief Assam Assam said the consultation was necessary because of the critical role of Uyo Senatorial District and delegates play in party politics.
Chief Assam, a former Nigeria’s Ambassador to Russia noted that Governor Udom Emmanuel’s administration has brought stability into the party, assuring that Pastor Umo Eno would sustain the tempo.
Also speaking, the International Coordinator of Maintain Peace Movement, Barr Emmanuel Enoidem said he was impressed with the widespread endorsement and acceptability of Pastor Umo Eno attributing it to his pedigree as a successful entrepreneur and top employer of labour in the state.
Others who also spoke glowingly of Pastor Umo Eno included; a legal luminary, Lady Ime Essien Udom from Etinan Federal Constituency, former Secretary to State Government, Obonganwan Grace Ekong from Itu Federal Constituency, Obong Thomas Akpan from Ibesikpo Asutan who spoke for Uyo Federal Constituency.
