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Opinion:
BY EKEMINI JAMES
In a world where political leaders often seem detached from the struggles of the common man, I find Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State completely in a different light; a dimension of discernment, empathy, compassion, and most of all, one who would go all out to make life comfortable for the hopeless and downtrodden.
This, he has actualized through the ARISE Compassionate Home Initiative aimed at uplifting the most vulnerable members of the society. Through this initiative, the Governor has provided shelter, closure and hope to countless individuals in the State.
One of the most heartwarming stories of gratitude comes from Madam Margaret Friday Udo-Udo, a mother of three in Etim Ekpo Local Government Area. Prior to the Governor’s aid, her life was a constant struggle but through the Governor’s intervention, she now has a safe and secure home away from the cold.
Similarly, Pastor Asuquo Udo Eno, a father of eleven from Ebighe Awang, Uquo, Esit Eket Local Government Area, faced immense challenges including his wife who fell ill due to constant rainfall that kept seeping into their dilapidated home. However, the Governor’s support has given them hope for a better future.
In Idua Afaha Edouk Village in Oron Local Government Area, Madam Comfort Etim Edet, a widow who lost her husband to a communal crisis, had been living in dire conditions after her thatched house collapsed, forcing her and her seven children to seek refuge with neighbours. Today, she tells a different tale, one coated in ecstasy and delight, for now, she will in the next two months, take delivery of a two bedroom fully-furnished bungalow to call home.
Madam Rita Effiong from Akai Eboho, Mbo Local Government Area, and Madam Victoria Ufot Willie from Ikot Edor, Onna Local Government Area, are other beneficiaries who have been caught in the net of the Governor’s Compassionate initiatives. Both widows faced immense hardships, but the ARISE Compassionate Home initiative has given them a new lease on life.
The story of Mr. Joseph Asuquo in Ikot Ekpene, who through, the ARISE Compassionate Home initiative has reunited with his beloved family. The family, comprising his wife and five children, had been separated due to the hardships of homelessness. Their struggles began when their thatched home was destroyed in a windstorm, forcing them apart.
Today, through the Governor’s intervention, Mr. Joseph now resides in a fully-furnished two-bedroom bungalow, and has also received a 500,000 Naira business support grant to establish a sustainable means of livelihood. This marks a new chapter in their lives, one filled with hope and promise.
But far from the provision of shelter, Governor Umo Eno’s compassion runs deeper. In Nsit Ubium Local Government Area, Madam Nkereuwem Umoren received not only a new home, but also a business support grant of 500,000 Naira and a comprehensive medical check.
Notably, the Governor’s efforts have also reached Uyo, Itu, Ikono, and Uruan Local Government Areas. Beneficiaries like Madam Bassie Etim Akpan, Madam Nseabasi Linus, Mr. Otobong Okon Edem, and Mrs. Akon Nyong Okon have all experienced the transformative impact of the Governor’s magnanimity. These individuals, who once faced insurmountable challenges, now have safe and secure homes they can call their own and a renewed sense of hope.
In Onna Local Government, a remarkable story of kindness unfolded when a couple, living in a thatched house, donated a piece of land for the construction of an ARISE Compassionate home for a widow, Madam Stella George. Their selfless act caught the attention of Governor Eno, who directed that a three-bedroom bungalow be built for the couple as well.
The Governor commended the couple’s generousity, saying, “I have directed that a brand new compassionate home be built for the couple too, for their good heart. This is the true definition of the Arise spirit.
Safe to say that ours is a Governor who’s compassionate leadership is an emphatic example of what it means to truly serve the people. By addressing the needs of the most vulnerable, he has shown that empathy and kindness can make a profound difference in the lives of individuals and communities.
The Governor’s compassionate efforts have successfully covered all Local Government Areas in the state during the first phase. Building on this momentum, he has approved an additional 164 compassionate homes in the second phase, with a target of 400 homes by the end of his first term in Office.
Notably, this initiative ensures that each of the 368 Wards in the state will have at least one compassionate home, guaranteeing that every community benefits from his humanitarian work. This comprehensive approach will further extend the reach of his efforts, bringing relief and hope to even more vulnerable individuals and families across the state.
Be not deceived by detractors nor smeared by ingrates. The truth remains that Governor Umo Eno is not governing Akwa Ibom State. He is serving the state, just as he had avowed while campaigning across the various Local Government Areas of the State. With the impact he has made in quite a short time, we can only expect more impactful and people-oriented intitivates in the days and months to come.
Still, the Governor’s visionary leadership extends beyond his humanitarian efforts. He has demonstrated remarkable foresight in spearheading economic growth and development across the State. Through strategic investments in key sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure, and industry, he has unlocked numerous opportunities for employment and prosperity. This multifaceted approach has not only lifted communities out of poverty but also laid a solid foundation for a brighter future, ensuring a lasting impact on the lives of residents.
