Ahead of his 60th birthday coming up on April 24, Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has announced that he needs no newspaper or television wishes, and neither would he accept any birthday gift.
The governor has urged all his friends, who are planning to celebrate with him on this landmark birthday to forward all the money and gifts meant for him to the underprivileged and vulnerable persons in orphanages and villages, and forward the pictures to him.
“The best birthday gift you may give me would be a visit to orphanages and homes of the vulnerables with food items or any other items that may make their lives more meaningful. You should take pictures with them and give them good cheers, then forward the pictures to me. These pictures would be made into a Birthday Album and would be better appreciated by me, than newspaper advertorials”, the governor said.
According to the governor, this is his inspired way of appreciating God for His grace and benevolence and in line with his life-long attachment and identification with the downtrodden.
Conscious of the economic realities of the times, he said no elaborate celebrations would be done to mark the day.
He said he would use the opportunity of his birthday to commission the multibillion naira 1.3 km underground flood control tunnel, from Atiku Abubakar Avenue to Olusegun Obasanjo Way, the restoration of the surface drains and concrete walk-way, as well as the rehabilitation works on Afaha Ube to Ikot Ekpene Road, which are some of the landmark infrastructural projects he has executed ten months into his administration.
More projects across sectors will be commissioned in the lead-up to the first anniversary of the administration on May 29.
On the same day, there will be a Thanksgiving Service at the iconic International Christian Worship Centre, Uyo, to thank God for all He has done.
