By ✍️ Chief Patrick Edeke
The weight of leadership is a burden no human neck was designed to carry alone. In the noise of power where expectations collide and pressures mount, true wisdom is often found not in haste, but in humility. The act of seeking God before acting is not religious sentimentality; it is strategic surrender to divine authority.
The Bible offers a timeless lesson in this direction, in 1 Samuel 23, David faced a military crisis at Keilah yet refused to move on instinct or popularity. Twice he inquired of the Lord, “Shall I go?”, and that obedience preserved both lives and legacy. The message is clear: good intentions are no substitute for divine instruction and Governor Umo Eno being a clergy is a student of this school of thought.
This ancient principle finds modern expression in the leadership of Governor Umo Eno. When governance is anchored in God, policy transcends paperwork and becomes purpose-driven. The ARISE Agenda is increasingly reflecting this truth, a blueprint of an administration guided not merely by political calculus, but by spiritual clarity.
The pace of development under this administration is striking. Like Elijah, who outran Ahab’s chariots by the hand of God (1 Kings 18:46), Akwa Ibom is witnessing what can best be described as accelerated governance. An inherited gratuity backlog once standing at a whooping ₦112 billion has been reduced by over ₦76.6 billion in under three years. Inclusivity has become reality, with every political ward and local government visibly represented in the affairs of state.
At the heart of this progress are the enduring pillars of divine governance.
First is dependence over autonomy. Human strength fades, but divine enablement sustains. This is evident in the administration’s deliberate economic empowerment drive with farmers’ and traders’ grants ranging from ₦450,000 to ₦5 million, IBOM-LED interventions, and grassroots funding that have stimulated the economy, created new wealth, and expanded employment opportunities across the state.
Second is the guardrail of counsel. Divine guidance prevents costly missteps. The equitable distribution of projects (modern Primary Health Care Centres and schools across all 31 local government areas) reflects governance driven by discernment rather than favoritism.
Third is the preservation of life and dignity. Policies informed by compassion do more than function; they heal. Over 300 compassionate homes built and handed over to the most vulnerable, food security initiatives through the bulk purchase agency, and other targeted social interventions demonstrate governance with a human face.
The Psalmist declares, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.” That blessing is evident today in the peace, stability, and methodical progress unfolding in Akwa Ibom State.
When leaders honor the altar, the throne becomes a place of justice and shared prosperity. And when God is put first, He grants the speed to outrun challenges and the clarity to secure a greater future.