The people of Akwa Ibom State are celebrating 38 years of statehood with Governor Umo Eno declaring that, the Land of Promise has grown from “a glorified village” into one of Nigeria’s shining models of peace, development, and innovation.

In a statewide broadcast, Governor Eno reeled out achievements of his administration under the Arise Agenda — from over 771km of roads, renewed agriculture drive, and emergency reforms in health and education, to the takeoff of a 350-bed Ibom International Hospital, model schools, and elder care centres.

He announced that the state’s tourism sector will soon take centre stage with the commissioning of the Arise Resort, a 5,000-capacity International Convention Centre, and a 200-room Ibom Hotel in December.

Social welfare interventions, including 267 solar homes for the vulnerable, food aid to 500,000 households, and expanded power supply, have also been rolled out.

On security, the governor launched the Akwa Ibom Security Trust Fund to sustain peace and attract private sector investment.

Governor Eno urged unity across political lines ahead of 2027, reaffirming loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and praising Senate President Godswill Akpabio for championing Akwa Ibom’s cause at the national level.

“Let us all Arise to a Renewed Hope for Akwa Ibom and for Nigeria,” he charged, as citizens across the state marked nearly four decades of steady progress from cradle to adulthood.