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Governor Umo Eno’s Betrayal: Unending Hunger And Poverty In Akwa Ibom
Akwa Ibom State, once a beacon of hope and prosperity, has been ruthlessly plunged into darkness and despair under Governor Umo Eno’s tyrannical rule. Despite grand promises to uplift the people, Governor Eno has not only failed but actively sabotaged the lives of Akwa Ibom’s citizens. By withholding state funds and selectively rewarding his inner circle, he has engineered a cash crisis, thrusting the state into unrelenting hunger and poverty.
“The current situation in Akwa Ibom is dire. Governor Eno’s mismanagement and corruption have left the people in a state of despair,” says Mr. John Doe, a concerned citizen.
The state’s economy, once robust and thriving, lies in shambles. Employment opportunities have vanished, leaving the populace in a desperate struggle for survival. Education, the bedrock of future prosperity, has been decimated. Over 3000 schools languish in appalling conditions, while Governor Eno’s feeble attempt to renovate a mere 31 schools is a cruel mockery.
According to a recent report by Staticsense, Akwa Ibom is now considered the poorest state in South South Nigeria, highlighting the catastrophic governance under Governor Eno. “It is disheartening to see our state fall behind in terms of development and prosperity. Governor Eno’s priorities are clearly misplaced,” says Mrs. Jane Smith, a community leader.
Even more alarming is the climate of fear that Governor Eno has instilled. Dissent is met with swift and severe retribution. The recent dismissal of his own Commissioner of Special Duties, Dr. Bassey Okon, for daring to criticize his policies, epitomizes this authoritarian regime. Such actions have muzzled voices of opposition, trapping the state in a cycle of fear and oppression.
“The fear of speaking out against the governor is palpable. We live in constant fear of retribution for expressing our concerns,” says Mr. David Williams, a political analyst.
The suffering of Akwa Ibom’s people is undeniable. Their pleas for relief are ignored, their hopes for a better future continually crushed. This is a stark contrast to the prosperous eras of Obong Victor Attah and Senator Godswill Akpabio, and the progressive path laid by former Governor Udom Emmanuel. Instead of building upon these legacies, Governor Eno has chosen to dismantle them, depriving the people of essential resources and driving them to desperation.
The dire situation has forced some youths into criminal activities like kidnapping, as they see no other means of survival.
“Governor Eno’s policies have pushed our youths into desperate measures. It is a tragic consequence of his failed leadership,” says Mr. Michael Johnson, a social worker.
Despite his attempts to curate a positive media image, the grim reality of Akwa Ibom tells a different story. The governor’s sycophants may sing his praises, but the suffering of the people reveals his true nature. The time has come for Governor Eno to own up to his betrayal, to end the unrelenting hunger and poverty, and to restore hope and prosperity to Akwa Ibom State. The cries of the people must be heard, and action must be taken now.
“In order to move forward, Governor Eno must acknowledge the grievances of the people and take immediate action to address their needs. Only then can we begin to restore hope and prosperity to Akwa Ibom,” urges Mrs. Sarah Johnson, a human rights activist.
Wants More Local Refineries Like Dangote, Others in Nigeria
The Conscience of the Nation, a socio-economic pressure group, has commended President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) for their efforts and policies resulting in reduction in fuel prices.
According to Comrade Gideon Unazi, the group’s head, this development has brought relief to Nigerians, especially during the holy month of Ramadan.
Unazi said with the price reduction, Nigerians can now afford to transport food, goods, and services at a lower cost.
This slash, he said, has also led to a decrease in the cost of food and other essential commodities, making it easier for Nigerians to observe the holy month of Ramadan without financial burden.
Unazi further said NUPRC’s strategic and transparent approach and reforms at the upstream level have ultimately led to the reduction in fuel prices.
He added that the Commission had shown a commitment to the willing-seller, willing-buyer option, which aligns with international best practices and supports the upstream sector’s optimal functioning without resorting to price-fixing.
Unazi further said the Commission has demonstrated its commitment to regulating the industry, fostering growth, and avoiding arbitrary actions that could hinder investments.
He added: “In January, the NUPRC outlined a five-point agenda aimed at increasing oil production in 2025.
“Key initiatives include boosting production by one million barrels, enhancing transparency and accuracy in hydrocarbon measurement, digitalizing upstream regulatory activities, optimizing unit costs per barrel, and conducting licensing bid rounds to revitalize non-performing assets.
‘The Commission has also developed a template to identify the needs of participants within the value chain, fostering collaboration and operational optimization.
“Furthermore, significant regulatory actions have been put in place to enforce compliance with the Domestic Crude Supply Obligation (DCSO), ensuring a consistent supply of crude oil to domestic refiners.”
The group also urged the government to continue to support the establishment of more local refineries, which will not only reduce our reliance on imported fuel but also create jobs and stimulate economic growth.
Unazi stated: “The importance of having more local refineries like Dangote cannot be overstated. With the Dangote Refinery, Nigeria is poised to emerge as one of the largest crude oil refining hub by 2025.
“The refinery’s capacity to produce Euro-V quality gasoline and diesel, in addition to jet fuel and polypropylene, is expected to eliminate Nigeria’s petroleum import requirement, thereby bolstering the country’s current-account position and foreign-exchange reserves.
“The establishment of more local refineries will not only reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imported fuel but also create jobs and stimulate economic growth.”
A 14-year-old girl, Elizabeth Peter, from Korokpa in Paikoro Local Government Area of Niger State, has drowned in the Chanchaga River while fetching water.
Miss Peter was an SSS1 student of Saint Andrew Academy, Tunga Minna. Witnesses said she was at the river with her siblings when she was swept away while fetching water.
Her aunt, Abigail Idoko, said the teenager was at the river for the first time on Saturday. She had gone there with her siblings because the family could not find water vendors to buy from.
She said it took about two hours to recover her body from a deep pit in the river.
When our correspondent visited her bereaved family at Korokpa, her mother was in shock. Her father, Mr Peter, a soldier, was said to be in Zamfara State on official duty.
Korokpa, like many communities in Paikoro Local Government Area of Niger State, has long struggled with access to clean water. Residents rely on water vendors, boreholes, or natural sources like the Chanchaga River to meet their daily needs.
However, with limited availability and rising water costs from vendors, many families resort to fetching water directly from the river despite the danger.
The Chanchaga River, a major water source for nearby communities, is notorious for drowning incidents. Deep pits within the river make it hazardous, especially for children and inexperienced swimmers.
Residents say fatalities occur almost every year, yet there has been little intervention to provide safer alternative water sources.
Miss Peter’s tragic death highlights the ongoing water crisis and the risks that residents, especially children, face in their daily struggle for access to clean water.
An ally of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai has confirmed the defection move of the former governor of Kaduna State amid a viral social media letter.
In a letter making the rounds on social media, El-Rufai purportedly announced his resignation from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), a party which he is a founding member.
Parts of the letter entitled: “Onwards to the future”, reads: “As a founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), I have fond memories of working with other compatriots to negotiate the merger of political parties that created the APC. It had been my hope since 2013 that my personal values and that of the APC will align up to the time I choose to retire from politics.
“Developments in the last two years confirm that there is no desire on the part of those who currently control and run the APC to acknowledge, much less address, the unhealthy situation of the party. On my part, I have raised concerns in private and, more recently, in public regarding the capricious trajectory of the party. Therefore, at this point in my political journey, I have come to the conclusion that I must seek another political platform for the pursuit of the progressive values I cherish. Today, the 10th of March 2025, I have submitted a letter resigning my membership of the APC to my ward in Kaduna, effective immediately. Subsequent to this, I had concluded consultations with my mentors, colleagues and loyalists alike about the future, and have decided to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP), and adopt it as the platform for our future political engagements and activities.”
Muyiwa Adekeye, spokesperson of El-Rufai, did not respond to multiple messages seeking his reaction to the letter.
But sources in El-Rufai’s camp confirmed that all arrangements have been made for the former governor to submit his resignation letter to the APC at his ward in Kaduna.
An ally, who served as a commissioner under El-Rufai’s administration told Daily Trust that El-Rufai would be leaving the APC for the SDP today.
“Yes, we are all aware that he (El-Rufai) will tender his resignation from APC today, Monday, 10th March 2025, and join SDP. That is all we have been waiting for,” the source said.
The source further stated that El-Rufai’s supporters were not surprised by the leaked letter, as they were already aware of the development.
He said having worked closely with the former governor, he could vouch for the authenticity of the letter, which is yet to be posted on any of the social media platforms of El-Rufai, an avid social media user.