RE: PRIORITIZING DEVELOPMENT IN AKWA IBOM STATE:
… Akwa Ibom Community, Abuja sets record straight
The attention of Akwa Ibom Community, Abuja has been drawn to a publication by one Ime Silas in Century Newspaper credited to Ms. Mfon Umana, a US-based Akwa Ibom indigene, addressed to His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno PhD, through the Senior Special Assistant on Diaspora Matters, Ms. Linda Umoh. While every citizen reserves the right to express opinions, it is important that such views are grounded in facts, balanced reasoning, and a clear understanding of governance realities.
Ordinarily, we would not have dignified such a warped postulation for being pedestrian and distorted, totally lacking in fact and logic, but a response is considered germane in order to put things in proper perspective and not allow the unsuspecting members of the public to be drawn into erroneous conclusion.
We therefore wish to state unequivocally and without hesitation that Ms. Umana’s submission lacks merit and is largely predicated on a narrow appreciation of the strategic vision underpinning the Governor’s decision to initiate a housing scheme for Akwa Ibom indigenes resident in Abuja.
In her opening paragraph, she acknowledges and appreciates His Excellency’s commitment to the welfare of Akwa Ibom people wherever they reside. Ironically, that very acknowledgment dismantles the foundation of her argument. Governance is not geographically selective. Leadership transcends borders. A Governor who cares for his people at home and in the diaspora is not misplacing priority; he is demonstrating inclusive responsibility.
Under the ARISE Agenda, His Excellency has consistently pursued people-centered development across critical sectors, agriculture, rural development, SMEs, education, infrastructure, and healthcare, within Akwa Ibom State. These tangible strides are visible and verifiable. To suggest that a diaspora-focused housing initiative amounts to neglect of in-state development is to ignore the holistic framework of this administration.
It is equally important to clarify that the proposed housing scheme in Abuja is not a “freebie” or misplaced generosity. It is a structured, subsidy-based investment model designed to be financially viable. Government participation in such a scheme is expected to generate revenue, stimulate economic activity, and create employment opportunities for Akwa Ibom indigenes within the Federal Capital Territory. Far from draining state resources, it is a strategic investment with multiplier effects, economic, social, and reputational.
Abuja remains a pivotal economic nerve centre in Nigeria and across West Africa. His Excellency, a seasoned businessman with a firm grasp of economic dynamics, recognizes that strategic investment in such a thriving environment empowers Akwa Ibom indigenes with enhanced economic leverage, visibility, and influence. Indeed, visionary leadership is not confined by geography; it expands opportunities beyond immediate borders while simultaneously consolidating growth at home, an approach the administration of Umo Eno has consistently and demonstrably upheld.
Furthermore, taxation and intergovernmental economic participation are fundamental principles of modern governance. Indigenes in the likes of Ms Mfon living abroad contribute taxes to their host countries without abandoning their identity or heritage. By that logic, Akwa Ibom people living in Abuja remain stakeholders of the state, deserving of structured engagement and opportunity. Development is not an either-or proposition; it is both-a responsibility.
It is also worth noting that the administration has consistently encouraged homegrown investments within Akwa Ibom State. The doors remain open to diaspora investors who genuinely wish to contribute to the state’s economic growth. Constructive engagement, not adversarial rhetoric, is what moves a people forward.
However for Mfon’s attention and the under-informed critics, the ARISE Agenda of Governor Umo Eno is not a mere policy document open to careless distortion, it is a bold social contract deliberately crafted to uplift the people of Akwa Ibom State and reposition the state for inclusive prosperity. Its structure, depth, and implementation focus clearly reflect a leadership that understands the needs, struggles, and expectations of the grassroots.
It is therefore both surprising and disappointing that someone like Ms Mfon Umana would attempt to trivialize or misrepresent such a people-centric blueprint. At a time when responsible voices should rally support for transformative governance, resorting to uninformed criticism only exposes a disconnect from the realities and aspirations of the people.
Akwa Ibom people are conscious and can easily distinguish between constructive engagement and commentary driven by misinterpretation or needless sensationalism. Calling on His Excellency to rescind a well-thought-out, people-focused decision is not only misguided but also undermines the collective progress already being recorded across key sectors.
The ARISE Agenda is bigger than individual opinions. It represents hope, economic empowerment, and a clear pathway to sustainable development. No amount of misrepresentation can derail a vision firmly rooted in the will and welfare of the people.
His Excellency represents all Akwa Ibom people, at home and in the diaspora. Leadership demands vision, inclusiveness, and strategic foresight. The housing initiative aligns with these principles and reflects a broader economic blueprint rather than a diversion of priorities.
While we respect the right to dissenting views, we urge commentators such as Ms Mfon Umana and disgruntled ranters to engage with comprehensive facts and a broader developmental perspective before drawing conclusions. Akwa Ibom’s progress requires unity of purpose, not divisive narratives.
The ARISE Agenda remains focused, inclusive, and firmly on course.
Akwa Ibom People in FCT have chosen progress and progress will not be negotiated.
Mkpisong (Barr.) Gabriel Fan
President, Akwa Ibom Community Abuja
