Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has appealed to all stakeholders, indigenes and residents of the state to rally round and support the actualisation of the Ibom Deep Seaport project, following the approval granted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for federal government support for the project.
This appeal was contained in his remarks on Sunday, November 8, 2026, during a special thanksgiving service organised at the All Nations Christian Ministry International in Eket Local Government Area of the state to appreciate God for the successful hosting of President Tinubu and his delegation.
Governor Eno expressed profound gratitude to Almighty God for granting the state a hitch-free and highly successful hosting of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and the entire members of the presidential team during their landmark working visit to Akwa Ibom State.
He said he was particularly grateful to God for touching the heart of the President to approve his request for the development of the Ibom Deep Seaport, describing the approval as historic, divine and a major breakthrough that has broken a jinx that had stalled the project for more than twenty years.
According to the Governor, the presidential approval is not just a political statement but a concrete demonstration of President Tinubu’s love for Akwa Ibom State, his commitment to balanced national development and his determination to unlock the economic potential of the South-South region and the Gulf of Guinea.
He called on all stakeholders, including political leaders, elders, traditional rulers, youth organisations, women groups, community leaders, captains of industry and ordinary citizens to eschew individual differences, bury political hatchets and embrace the project with unity of purpose and patriotism.
The Governor stressed that the Akwa Ibom State Government will not condone any form of interference, blackmail, sabotage, unnecessary litigation or actions capable of disrupting, delaying or truncating the progress and realisation of the Ibom Deep Seaport project which is critical to the future of the state.
He stated, “Let peace and unity reign in our State. Let us all be thankful to God for the Presidential approval for the development of the Sea Port, and work together in love to ensure the project is fully brought to reality for the overall benefit of our State, our region, and the nation at large.”
Governor Eno further declared that this time around, the Ibom Deep Seaport project will commence in earnest and no individual, group, political interest or circumstance will be allowed to disrupt its progress and final realisation, as the state has waited too long for this golden opportunity to become reality.
He said, “This time, I tell you, that project will start, and no one or situation will disrupt its progress and realization. This project will immensely benefit our children and children’s children, so we must support it to work,” adding that the project is a generational asset that must be protected by all.
The Governor explained that the actualisation of the Ibom Deep Seaport project will be executed in stages and phases, with each phase carefully designed, properly funded, transparently executed and monitored to ensure quality, durability, environmental sustainability and maximum benefit to the people.
He noted that the phased approach will allow for proper planning, effective community engagement, environmental impact assessment, creation of thousands of direct and indirect jobs, attraction of foreign direct investment and seamless integration of the seaport with other infrastructure such as roads, rail and airport.
According to him, the first phase will involve dredging, construction of breakwaters, quay walls and access roads, while subsequent phases will involve development of container terminals, industrial parks, free trade zones and other ancillary facilities that will make the port a world-class maritime hub in West Africa.
Governor Eno specifically appreciated the people of Akwa Ibom State for their laudable sense of solidarity, brotherhood, hospitality, love and massive support that made the presidential visit a resounding success, describing the turnout as unprecedented and a clear vote of confidence in his administration.
He said the massive turnout of Akwa Ibomites from all the 31 local government areas to welcome President Tinubu was a demonstration of unity, love and appreciation for the President’s support for the state, and called on the people to continue to live in peace and unity for a greater and more prosperous Akwa Ibom State.
The thanksgiving service, which was filled to capacity, featured special sessions of praise, worship and thanksgiving in acknowledgement of God’s faithfulness, mercy, grace and love for Akwa Ibom State, with the congregation dancing, singing and thanking God for what He has done for the state through President Tinubu’s approval.
Preaching on the topic “We are well able,” drawn from Numbers 13:30-33, the General Secretary and Trustee of the Assemblies of God, Nigeria, Rev. Godwin Amaowoh, admonished believers to always be bold, courageous, confident and positive in life in order to achieve their goals, overcome challenges and attain success.
Rev. Amaowoh encouraged Christians to trust in God completely, resist intimidation, fear and discouragement, stressing that the heart is the engine of every success, and that every success or failure starts from the mind, as a man thinks in his heart, so he becomes and so he achieves in life.
He commended Governor Umo Eno for his courageous, purposeful and visionary leadership, which, according to him, has made it possible for him to reclaim a 72-hectare gully erosion site that had defied previous administrations and transform it into a world-class tourism facility, the ARISE Palm Resort.
The renowned cleric noted that it takes courage, faith and boldness to embark on such a massive transformation project, adding that Governor Eno has shown that with determination, sincerity of purpose and trust in God, nothing is impossible and every gully can be turned into a beautiful garden and tourist destination.
Rev. Amaowoh enumerated some essentials to courageous living and courageous actions, including avoiding too many friends, being careful about who you share your vision with and not sharing one’s dreams and visions with many people, as such could hinder execution, breed envy and attract unnecessary opposition.
He said many visions have been killed prematurely because the vision bearer shared it with wrong people who discouraged them, gossiped about it or went ahead to sabotage it, urging Akwa Ibom people to protect the Ibom Deep Seaport vision and support the Governor to bring it to reality for the benefit of all.
The man of God urged the people to always think success and not failure, victory and not defeat, abundance and not scarcity, possibility and not impossibility, emphasizing that whatever one envisions, believes in his heart, confesses with his mouth and works towards with diligence can become a reality in his lifetime.
He prayed for Governor Umo Eno, his family, his cabinet, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the peace, unity, progress and prosperity of Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria as a whole, asking God to grant the Governor more wisdom, knowledge, understanding, strength and resources to continue to deliver democratic dividends to the people.
Meanwhile, stakeholders, including traditional rulers, political leaders, captains of industry and ordinary citizens who attended the thanksgiving service, described the presidential approval for the Ibom Deep Seaport as a game-changer, a blessing and a major economic breakthrough that will create jobs, boost trade and position Akwa Ibom as the maritime hub of West Africa.
