In a bid to take governance closer to the people and showcase the practical impact of the ARISE Agenda, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, PhD, on Saturday, December 13, 2025, officially unveiled the first-ever State Government Pavilion at the ongoing Akwa Ibom Christmas Unplugged 3.0. The unveiling transformed the Christmas Village at Unity Park, Udo Udoma Avenue, Uyo, into a centre of governance, innovation, and citizen engagement.
The pavilion, introduced on the directive of the Governor, brings together Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in one interactive space. Through this platform, residents and visitors engage directly with government agencies to understand state programmes, innovations, service delivery initiatives, and investment opportunities, all anchored on the ARISE Agenda, the development blueprint of the Umo Eno administration.
During a tour and inspection of the pavilion, Governor Eno issued a firm directive aimed at strengthening emergency healthcare delivery across the state. He urged the Head of the Civil Service and the Commissioner for Health to redeploy all medical doctors currently serving as Permanent Secretaries in unrelated MDAs back to the health sector. He said the officers should serve as heads in government-owned general hospitals while retaining their administrative responsibilities, stressing that medical expertise must not be underutilised.
Governor Eno expressed satisfaction with the creativity, coordination, and clarity of vision displayed by the MDAs at the pavilion. He noted that their presentations reflected the people-centred focus and policy direction of his administration.
“I have gone round to see what the Ministries, Departments and Agencies are doing, and I am pleased that they are promoting the ARISE Agenda. This is the first time we are introducing a State Government Pavilion at the Christmas Village, and what I have seen so far is very encouraging,” the Governor said.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to the ARISE Agenda, Governor Eno stressed that all MDAs must continually align their programmes, operations, and service delivery frameworks with the state’s development vision to ensure coherence and efficiency.
The Governor further reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to optimise skilled manpower, strengthen healthcare services, and ensure that governance remains people-focused and results-driven. The unveiling of the State Government Pavilion was a major highlight of Akwa Ibom Christmas Unplugged 3.0, reinforcing the vision of making governance visible during the season of celebration and shared purpose.
