The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, has officially declared Friday, November 6, 2026, as a work-free day across all parts of the state in anticipation of the highly publicised working visit of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to Akwa Ibom State.
The Governor explained that the declaration of the work-free day was a deliberate and strategic decision taken by the state government to afford every segment of the society, including civil servants, public sector workers, traders, artisans, students, farmers and all well-meaning Akwa Ibom people from far and near, the opportunity to turn out in large numbers to accord the President a rousing, colourful and befitting welcome.
Governor Eno made the announcement shortly after concluding an extensive, detailed and rigorous inspection tour of key projects, critical infrastructure and strategic facilities that have been carefully selected and scheduled for commissioning, inspection and formal unveiling during the presidential visit to the South-South state.
According to the official itinerary released by the state government through the Office of the Chief of Staff and the Ministry of Information, President Tinubu is expected to commission several landmark, legacy and transformative projects executed by the Umo Eno administration as part of his two-day official working visit to the state.
Some of the flagship projects that have been slated for commissioning during the presidential visit include the newly completed state-of-the-art International Terminal Building at the Victor Attah International Airport, which has been completed, fully equipped, tested and furnished with modern, world-class facilities to boost both domestic and international aviation activities.
The Governor, during the inspection of the terminal building, expressed profound satisfaction, delight and confidence in the quality, standard and level of work done at the International Terminal, describing it as world-class, aesthetically appealing, structurally solid and capable of handling increased passenger traffic while positioning Akwa Ibom as a major aviation hub.
He noted that the International Terminal Building project, which was initiated by previous administrations but completed by his government, is equipped with modern check-in counters, immigration facilities, baggage handling systems, lounges, duty-free shops and other ancillary services that meet international aviation standards and best practices.
Other critical facilities that have been lined up for commissioning by the President include the Aviation Village, a well-planned residential estate built specifically for aviation workers, pilots, engineers and other airport personnel, the Airport Hospital, which will provide 24-hour medical services to airport workers and travellers, and the ARISE Palm Resort.
The Governor explained that these aviation-related projects are part of his administration’s strategic, holistic and forward-looking plan to fully harness the vast economic potential of the aviation sector, create sustainable jobs for youths, attract local and foreign investors and make Akwa Ibom a preferred destination for business, tourism and conferences.
He stressed that the state government under his leadership has invested heavily in the aviation sector because it recognises that aviation is a key enabler of economic growth, industrialisation and tourism, and that with Ibom Air and the new international terminal, Akwa Ibom is set to become a dominant player in the aviation industry in Nigeria.
Also on the list of projects to be commissioned by the President is the 14.5-kilometre Nsit Atai-Okobo Road, also popularly known as the Airport-Okopedi Road, which provides a crucial, strategic and alternative link between the Victor Attah International Airport and neighbouring communities and will ease transportation and movement of goods.
Governor Eno said the road project, which was abandoned for several years, overgrown with weeds and rendered impassable before his intervention, has now been fully completed with standard drainages, culverts, asphalt overlay and solar-powered street lights, and will significantly reduce travel time and boost economic activities.
He added that the road will not only serve as an access road to the airport but will also open up several agrarian communities in Nsit Atai and Okobo Local Government Areas for agricultural development, commerce and rural transformation, in line with the rural development component of his ARISE Agenda.
The President is also expected to commission Ring Road 3, a major, dual-carriageway road infrastructure within Uyo metropolis that is aimed at decongesting traffic, improving urban mobility, reducing travel time and enhancing the aesthetic value, beauty and master plan of the state capital.
According to the Governor, Ring Road 3 is a critical urban renewal project that connects several strategic areas of Uyo and will help to divert heavy vehicular traffic away from the city centre, thereby improving the flow of traffic and reducing the pressure on internal roads within the metropolis.
Another critical and security-related project that will be inspected, commissioned and put to use during the presidential visit is the Command and Control Centre, a sophisticated, technology-driven security and surveillance facility equipped with modern gadgets, drones, CCTV cameras and communication equipment.
The Governor said the Command and Control Centre is part of his administration’s unwavering commitment to the security and safety of lives and property, noting that Akwa Ibom remains one of the most peaceful and secure states in Nigeria due to sustained investments in security architecture, intelligence gathering and inter-agency collaboration.
Speaking during the inspection tour, Governor Eno said President Tinubu’s visit to Akwa Ibom is a testament to the strong, cordial and mutually beneficial relationship between the state and the Federal Government and an acknowledgement of the development strides and giant leaps recorded by his administration in the last three years.
He noted that the state government has made significant, verifiable and tangible progress in critical sectors such as infrastructure, agriculture, education, healthcare delivery, rural development, aviation, tourism and human capital development, and that the presidential visit will provide an opportunity for the President to see first-hand the impact of federal support.
Governor Eno urged all Akwa Ibom people, irrespective of political affiliation, religious inclination or ethnic background, to come out en masse on Friday to welcome the President, describing Akwa Ibom people as naturally hospitable, peaceful, appreciative, supportive and respectful of constituted authority.
He emphasised that the large turnout of residents will not only demonstrate the people’s support, love and admiration for the President and his Renewed Hope Agenda but will also showcase the unity, solidarity and oneness that Akwa Ibom State is known for in the comity of states in Nigeria.
The Governor assured that adequate, watertight and robust security arrangements have been put in place to ensure a hitch-free, orderly, peaceful and successful presidential visit, with all security agencies, including the Police, DSS, NSCDC and the Army, working in synergy to provide maximum protection for the President and all residents.
He also called on residents to cooperate fully with security agencies, obey traffic regulations, follow directives from officials and maintain peace, order and decorum throughout the duration of the President’s stay in the state, while avoiding any act capable of breaching public peace or causing embarrassment to the state.
