By Akaiso Akaiso, Uyo.
Hope for completion of the Guest House project of Akwa Ibom State Council of Nigeria Union of Pensioners, located at Mkpaha – Ibok Street, off Information Drive, Uyo, which is about 60% incomplete, has risen following the humongous donation of N50M by His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, PhD.
He made the donation Friday, October 30, 2026, at the presentation of the Merit Award and endorsement rally for his re – election in 2027 at Ibom Hall ground.
Thousands of Pensioners across the thirty-one local governments of Akwa Ibom State defied the late afternoon heavy downpour to converge on the venue, initially without adequate seating arrangements, thereby making the elderly citizens to mill aimlessly along IBB Venue and adjoining roads like sheep without a shepherd.
According to some of them who were in clutches or propped by their children to attend the event, speaking on condition of anonymity, said they chose to come in person to see a man who has turned their misery into laughter at the time when all hope was lost.
It could be recalled that in the history of Akwa Ibom State since its creation, Governor Umo Eno is the first Chief Executive Officer to attend any event, big or small, organized by Nigeria Union Of Pensioners, Akwa Ibom State Council, so far. This, aside his passion and compassion for these senior citizens, explained the reason for the massive turnout.
Presenting the Merit Award, gigantic plaque, and Certificate to the governor, the National President, Comrade Mazi Godwin Ikechukwu Abumisi, described Governor Umo Eno as one man who has taken the welfare of pensioners to heart as a personal responsibility, which is why Akwa Ibom State Nigeria Union Of Pensioners decided to appreciate him. He promised the governor a bloc of twenty-eight thousand votes by extension, All Progressives Congress in the 2027 general election.
Adding, “If I hear that Governor Umo Eno gets 27,000 votes from NUP in 2027 elections, I will seek explanation for the missing one thousand.”
Presenting address of welcome earlier to the Governor, the state chairman, Pastor Sylvester O. Nkodo thanked the Governor for shelving other important engagements to attend the rally in person, thereby writing his name in gold as the first amongst equals to attain the feat, adding if the constitution has allowed a third term, pensioners would still support him.
“Your Excellency, we sincerely thank you for your exceptional leadership, your compassion, and your unwavering commitment to the welfare of pensioners. May God grant you wisdom, protect you and guide your thoughts throughout your second term in office.” he prayed.
He joined the other outstanding unionists, particularly Comrade Etim Ukpong, one time Akwa Ibom State chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress and Nigeria Union of Teachers, to call on Governor Umo Eno to harmonize payment of gratuity of Primary School Teachers in Itu Local Government, whose gratuity is still remaining unpaid as at 2011/ 2012 till date, while their Secondary school Counterparts have been paid up to 2024/2025. This injustice has negated the Biblical injunction that when a righteous man is on the throne the people rejoice. It didn’t say some people rejoice.
Responding, Governor Eno thanked the Union for organizing what he described as the best rally without asking a Kobo from the government. He called on them to also thank President Ahmed Tinubu for making money available, which made it possible for him to do what he pledged on oath, saying the appreciation rally came to him as a huge surprise.
As a show of solidarity and support, he called on them to vote en masse for Tinubu on Jan. 16, 2027 to return to office so that he will continue to make money available for him to serve them better, promising if voted back to office he will clear the N11bn backlog of remaining gratuity by May 2027.
Apart from promising to continue to pay monthly pension as when due, he directed the Ministry of Labour and Manpower Planning Commissioner, Ikoedem Ekong to ensure that no pensioner of Akwa Ibom State extraction is left out from payment of thirteen month extra gratuity, which has to be known among workers “ENOMBER.”
Meanwhile he announced payment of additional Ten thousand Naira to November pension of all pensioners and other unexpected increments to their monthly stipends to amusement of all who were present, while urging those of them who are 65 years and above to register in the Akwa Ibom State Health Insurance Scheme with their NIN as the only requirement assuring that government will defray their medical bills.
Comrade James Inim moved motion for adoption of Governor Umo Eno as their sole candidate in 2027 general election while Uduak Udohoaya seconded.
