Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, Ph.D, has approved the payment of a 13th-month pension bonus for all pensioners in the state, alongside a one-time welfare support of ₦10,000 for the month of November 2026, in what has been described as a major boost to the welfare of retired public servants in the state.

The Governor announced the welfare packages on Thursday at the Ibom Hall Grounds, Uyo, during a well-attended ceremony organised by the State Council of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, NUP, where the union honoured him with a Merit Award and unanimously endorsed him for a second term in office in the 2027 general election.

According to Governor Eno, the gesture was borne out of his administration’s deep appreciation for the sacrifices and invaluable contributions of pensioners to the growth and development of Akwa Ibom State during their years of active service in the public sector.

He noted that pensioners deserve to enjoy the fruits of their labour and live in dignity after retirement, having dedicated the best part of their lives to serving the state, and assured that his administration will continue to prioritise their welfare as a key component of the ARISE Agenda.

The Governor explained that the 13th-month pension bonus is intended to serve as an additional financial relief to enable pensioners meet their personal and family needs, especially in the face of current economic realities in the country, while the ₦10,000 welfare support for November 2026 is meant to cushion the effects of rising cost of living.

He stated that the payment of pensions and gratuities as and when due has remained a top priority of his administration since assumption of office, adding that the state government will not relent in its efforts to ensure that no pensioner in the state suffers neglect or hardship after retirement.

Governor Eno expressed gratitude to the leadership and members of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners in the state for finding him worthy of the Merit Award and for their vote of confidence in his administration through their endorsement of his re-election bid for a second term in 2027.

He described the award and endorsement as a great honour and a morale booster that will spur him to do more for the people of the state, particularly the elderly and retired public servants who have contributed immensely to the development of the state over the decades.

The Governor also used the occasion to call on pensioners in the state to continue to support his administration and to extend the same support to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the forthcoming 2027 general election, noting that sustained federal support is crucial to state finances.

He explained that the continued support for the Federal Government under President Tinubu would help sustain the availability of funds for the prompt payment of pensions, gratuities and other welfare programmes, as a result of improved federal allocations and economic reforms being implemented at the national level.

According to him, the synergy between the state and federal government has been beneficial to Akwa Ibom State, enabling his administration to embark on various people-oriented projects and programmes, including the regular payment of pensions, gratuities and other entitlements to workers and retirees.

Governor Eno assured the pensioners that his administration will continue to run an inclusive and compassionate government that caters for the needs of all segments of the society, especially the vulnerable, the elderly and those who have served the state meritoriously.

He reiterated his commitment to the full implementation of the ARISE Agenda, which places emphasis on agricultural revolution, rural development, infrastructural maintenance, security management and educational advancement, all aimed at improving the living standard of Akwa Ibom people.

In his remarks at the event, the National President of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Comrade Mazi Godwin Ikechukwu Abumisi, showered encomiums on Governor Umo Eno for his exceptional commitment to the welfare of retirees in Akwa Ibom State, describing him as a pensioner-friendly governor.

Comrade Abumisi noted that Akwa Ibom State stands out among states in Nigeria in terms of prompt payment of pensions and gratuities and the introduction of innovative welfare packages for retirees, adding that such gestures are rare and worthy of emulation by other governors across the country.

He stated that the national leadership of the NUP was impressed by the humane disposition of Governor Eno towards pensioners and pledged the continued support and solidarity of the national body for his administration and its people-oriented policies.

Earlier in his welcome address, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Pastor Sylvester Nkodo, commended Governor Eno for what he described as compassionate, impactful and purposeful leadership, particularly his consistent attention to the needs of elderly citizens and retired public servants.

Pastor Nkodo recalled that since the inception of the present administration, pensioners in the state have witnessed tremendous improvement in their welfare, ranging from prompt payment of monthly pensions to clearance of backlog of gratuities and introduction of special welfare interventions for retirees.

He explained that the decision to honour the Governor with a Merit Award was unanimously taken by members of the union in recognition of his outstanding performance and his genuine concern for the well-being of pensioners, which has brought joy and relief to many homes in the state.

The state chairman further disclosed that the union’s endorsement of Governor Eno for a second term in 2027 was informed by his proven track record of performance, integrity and compassion, and the need to ensure continuity of good governance and sustained welfare for pensioners in the state.

According to him, the pensioners are convinced that Governor Eno has more to offer the state and that his re-election would guarantee continued protection of their interests and consolidation of the gains already recorded under his leadership.

The event, which was attended by top government officials, labour leaders, political stakeholders and members of the pensioners’ union from all the 31 local government areas of the state, was characterised by songs of praise, solidarity messages and commendations for the Governor’s people-centred administration.

Many of the pensioners who spoke to our correspondent expressed joy and appreciation to Governor Eno for the 13th-month bonus and the ₦10,000 welfare support, noting that the gesture would go a long way in assisting them to meet their medical, feeding and other personal needs during the yuletide season.

They also pledged their unalloyed support for the Governor’s second term ambition and called on all Akwa Ibom people to rally behind the administration to enable it to continue its good work in the state.

Meanwhile, political analysts have described the Governor’s gesture as not only a demonstration of his humane disposition but also a strategic political move that further solidifies his support base among pensioners and the elderly, who constitute a significant voting bloc in the state ahead of the 2027 general elections.

As the event came to a close, the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners assured the Governor of their continued partnership and cooperation, while urging its members to remain law-abiding, supportive of government policies and committed to the peace and progress of Akwa Ibom State.