Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has reaffirmed his confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to the realization of the Ibom Deep Seaport, declaring that the President has personally assured him that the project remains a priority.
Governor Eno spoke on Saturday at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, during the 2026 International Women’s Day celebration. The event, which drew thousands of women from across the state, featured First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu as the Special Guest of Honor.
Governor Eno utilized the occasion to highlight the impact of federal infrastructure projects on the state’s economy. He singled out the ongoing Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway as a transformative project that will drastically reduce travel time and unlock regional commerce.
“Thank you, Mr. President, for the expectation of the Ibom Deep Seaport, because many times when I discuss with him, he tells me, ‘I will give you the Ibom Deep Seaport.’ I hold on to that promise, and I know it shall come to pass,” the Governor told the cheering crowd.
During the visit, the First Lady commissioned the Senior Citizens Center, a facility named in her honor.
Governor Eno announced that this is the first of three such centers planned to provide dedicated care and welfare for the state’s elderly population.
He further noted that his administration is preparing a bill for the State House of Assembly to legislate support for senior citizens, mirroring similar efforts at the national level.
The event served as a major political rally, with women leaders from the state led by Deputy Governor Senator Akon Eyakenyi and the Coordinator of the First Lady’s Office, Noble Lady Helen Eno Obareki, making a formal proclamation endorsing President Tinubu for a second term.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who attended the event, praised the “strong political voice” of Akwa Ibom women and their unified support for the current administration.
He described Governor Eno’s leadership style as “unifying,” noting that the massive turnout was a clear indicator of the state’s readiness to continue supporting the current political leadership.
Minister of Women Affairs, Hon. Hajia Suleman, commended the Federal Government’s unprecedented investment in women, noting that the Akwa Ibom State government’s strategy of organizing women into cooperative societies aligns perfectly with federal plans to distribute empowerment grants.
The celebration was marked by vibrant cultural displays, including a dramatic reenactment of the 1929 Women’s Riot, and underscored the rising influence of women in Akwa Ibom’s socio-political landscape.
