Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Pastor Umo Eno, has urged indigenes of the state in the Diaspora to deploy their expertise, skills, global exposure, networks and investments toward the development of their homeland, assuring them that Akwa Ibom is steadily positioning itself as a major investment and tourism destination. Governor Eno made the call at the gala night of the 39th annual convention of the Akwa Ibom State Association of Nigeria (AKISAN), held at the Hilton Anatole Resort in Dallas, Texas, on August 8, 2026.
The Governor, who was represented by the Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Noble Lady Helen Eno Obareki, congratulated the newly re-elected AKISAN President, Engr. Dr. Mbong Ekiko, and the executive of the association, commending them for sustaining the annual convention as a platform for unity, networking, cultural celebration and the promotion of the collective interests of Akwa Ibom people in the Diaspora. He described the convention theme, “Unleashing our Full Potential: Transforming AKISAN Together for a Brighter Tomorrow,” as timely and consistent with his administration’s determination to expand the frontiers of development through the ARISE Agenda.
Eno said his administration had recorded significant progress in healthcare, tourism, power, aviation, agriculture, education, security, infrastructure, human capital development and efforts toward the realisation of the Ibom Deep Seaport. He urged the Diaspora to see the development of Akwa Ibom as a shared responsibility, stressing that their professional expertise, exposure and international networks remained valuable assets for accelerating development at home. “You have the training, the skill set, the exposure and contacts — these are areas we expect you to bring back to add value to our development,” he said.
Highlighting the state’s healthcare investments, the Governor cited the recently unveiled 350-bed Ibom International Hospital along the Uyo-Ikot Ekpene Road and the Senator Oluremi Tinubu Elders’ Care Centre. He commended AKISAN member, Dr. Ita Anwan, for responding to the state’s call to contribute her expertise to the hospital project, noting that she supervised the project from inception to completion and developed its management manual. Eno called on healthcare professionals in the Diaspora to partner with the state, particularly as the hospital has 24 specialty departments, including oncology.
On power and tourism, the Governor disclosed the establishment of the Akwa Ibom State Electricity Regulatory Commission (AKSERC) following the liberalisation of the electricity sector, expressing confidence that the state would provide steady and affordable power within the next year. He also said Akwa Ibom was being positioned as a tourism hub, citing the Arise Palm Resort, which he disclosed would be commissioned by President Bola Tinubu during the state’s anniversary celebrations. Describing the facility as “our own Disneyland,” he invited Diaspora investors to explore opportunities in tourism, hospitality and related sectors.
Eno also highlighted the International Convention Centre, Arise Shopping City and Ibom Hotel, all located within the Tropicana axis, while in the aviation sector he described the Victor Attah International Airport Terminal as one of the smartest and most modern in the country. He disclosed that Ibom Air had commenced commercial flights from Uyo to Accra, Ghana, with plans for additional international routes, while work was advancing on the Airport Village and a hospital within the airport complex. He said developments in roads, aviation and the Ibom Deep Seaport reflected the state’s expanding infrastructure base. “Akwa Ibom continues to Rise, and we want you to be a part of this great journey of growth,” he told the Diaspora community.
The Governor further noted the administration’s social investment programmes, including the payment of backlog gratuities and the construction of 461 solar-powered Compassionate Homes for vulnerable residents. He said the government was also investing in agriculture and food security, human capital development, transportation, the blue economy, security, housing and sports, while 85 other audacious projects were being executed across various sectors. He encouraged Diaspora investors to explore opportunities such as the Ewet Luxury Housing Estate.
Pastor Eno urged Akwa Ibom people abroad not to lose sight of developments at home, challenging them to emulate the Indian, Chinese and Irish Diaspora communities whose knowledge, skills, investments and global networks contributed to the transformation of their respective countries. “While you are living and flourishing here, don’t lose sight of what is happening back home,” he said, urging them to become ambassadors of Akwa Ibom and help attract investors and visitors to the state, which he described as “a shining city on the hill, bold, inviting, enchanting and welcoming.”
Earlier, at the Governor’s Town Hall meeting with a cross-section of Akwa Ibom indigenes in the Diaspora, the Commissioner for Information, Hon. Aniekan Umanah, delivered a comprehensive visual presentation detailing the accomplishments of the Eno administration in line with the ARISE Agenda. The presentation highlighted major completed, ongoing and planned projects across infrastructure, healthcare, tourism, aviation, power, agriculture, education, security, human capital development and social investment, giving the Diaspora audience a broader view of the administration’s development trajectory.
The state delegation to the convention, led by Noble Lady Helen Eno-Obareki, included the Commissioner for Information, Hon. Aniekan Umanah; wife of the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Inemesit Uwah; former Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr. Ini Adiakpan; Delivery Advisor, Senior Citizens Centre, Dr. Itawan James; and the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on UK and Europe, Mr. Friday Akpan.
The convention witnessed the swearing-in of Engr. Dr. Mbong Ekiko for a second term as President of AKISAN following his re-election. In his remarks, Ekiko commended Governor Eno for what he described as the numerous developmental strides recorded by the administration across critical sectors of the state, as well as its deliberate efforts to strengthen partnership and engagement with the Akwa Ibom Diaspora. In recognition of these strides and the growing partnership between the state and its Diaspora community, the AKISAN Council announced its resolution to host the association’s 40th convention in 2027 in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital. The decision was received with enthusiasm by delegates and members.
