Just Before You Crucify Governor Umo Eno.

By Joseph Udoh Media ABUJA.

On January 6, 2025, the news of Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno hosted and donated an Excellence Encouragement Grant of ₦10 million to a young Nigerian from Edo State, Precious Bodunde, for pronouncing the five longest words in the English language with ease in line with his detribalised and compassionate disposition, broke the internet.

According to Governor Eno, he came across the short video of Precious performance and was thrilled on hearing her pronounce those long and jaw-breaking words effortlessly, noting that it was encouraging to see a young Nigerian girl that is so focused, hence his resolve to encourage such talent.

Surprisingly, the news suddenly spread like wild harmattan fire spreading through the Carribean coastline, attracting both commendation and condemnation in equal proportion, depending on which side of the divide one stands.

But just before you join the mob calling for the crucifixion of the Governor for his benevolence, it is better to get some context.

That Pastor Umo Eno is detribalised and compassionate in nature is not in doubt. That he can go out of his way to offer help, succour and intervention to the poor, less privileged and in the eyes of some, the “undeserving” is also not in dispute. But one thing is clear, you cannot accuse him of ill motive or playing to the gallery.

Every leader has his own style, ideology, philosophy, ‘apostolate’, and vision. No two leaders are same even if they were born of the same Mother.

If you have followed the Governor closely since coming into office, one thing is clear; he is the Governor of the poor, the less privileged, and those at the lower rung of the ladder, to put it biblical, he was sent to the lost sheep of the House of Isreal. It is for their sake that he came.

You can see this in his policies for these special cadre of historically naturally disadvantaged people, in his emphasis on rural development, in how passionate he goes about implementing programmes and policies that gives credence to the fact that his government is indeed government of the people, targeted more at the less fortunate class of people, by the people God has chosen to lead us now.

You can accuse the Governor of anything but you cannot accuse him of neglecting other segments of society. He might not have done much to other demographics with the speed many might have expected but honestly speaking, there is something for everyone under the ARISE Agenda.

So even with the ongoing unjustified rage by some segments of Akwa Ibom youth, an unbiased mind will still see and appreciate Pastor Umo Eno’s effort at creating jobs and opportunities for the younger generation through well laid out mechanisms that will aid the son of a nobody become somebody on merit and with the help and grace of God in Akwa Ibom State.

Precious Bodunde by God’s grace has become the latest beneficiary of both the Governor’s benevolence and the anger of the mob. But if God had destined that she be recognised and helped by Pastor Umo Eno, fate would still have brought her to the attention of the Governor one way or another. We must look beyond the physical manifestation and recognise that the ways of God are not the ways of men.

While some school of thought believe charity begins at home, no one in all honesty can say the Governor has ignored or neglected the home front. While anger is good, being angry at the wrong person and for the wrong reasons is wrong.

When you look into the eyes of the Governor and pierce into his soul, you see a man who certainly is not humanly perfect but one who is sincerely honest about his imperfections with an uncommon sincerity and determination to passionately and patriotically serve Akwa Ibom people whose mandate he holds in trust.

Pastor Umo Eno deserves our prayers, support and solidarity, not vilification and an unjust conspiracy to crucify a man who has not offended us in any way. Why then make it look like helping non indigenes is a treasonable offence?

While political aggression, conspiracy and sabotage may take many form and shape, the Governor is human and its time we halt this transfer of aggression on a man working day and night to make Akwa Ibom State better despite the odds and obstacles on his way.

This Golgotha route a few have taken will do us no good. Rather than join the mob of Jews shouting for his crucifixion, let us be the Simon of Cyrene that supports and help the Governor carry this burden of leadership with grace ana tranquility so that together, we can all reach the promised land and collectively benefit from both the fruits of the 2025 budget of Consolidation and Expansion and the Akwa Ibom of the future we all envisage.source:Daniel Etokidem

Peace to our Fatherland!