Eno awards scholarships, jobs, houses to indigents to mark 62nd birthday 

He appreciated everyone who has reached out to the less privileged, downtrodden or impacted their communities on his birthday.

"Everytime a retired civil servant sends me a text thanking me for receiving gratuity, I feel accomplished. When I see a widow who had lived in a place that could be likened to a rat hole but now a beneficiary of the over 400 compassionate homes that we have built, I feel accomplished . When former political foes, sit to break bread, eat and shake hands across divides and our state remains peaceful, I feel very accomplished. That is the love that keeps us going as a State.

"Thank God for the projects, thank God for the roads and the bridges. But for me, the greatest accomplishment is to make us live in peace amongst ourselves, and live together in unity; learn to forgive one another and move on as a State, that is who we are and that is what gives us joy. 

"So we continue to ask our people to live together in peace even as the political season sets in. Politics will come and go but Akwa Ibom will remain, and so we should play politics with a human face," he said.

The Governor appreciated the Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare and care givers for their good works at the homes.

On the 22 children abandoned by their parents, he said "no child is born by accident, every child has a purpose and God doesn't make mistakes. We have taken these children, we will nurture them and we will help them realize their destinies."

For all the 22 care givers who were volunteers, as well as four others who were fully grown, he directed the Head of Civil Service, Mrs Elsie Peters to give them automatic employment in the civil service.

For  another 15 of them that had finished vocational school, he directed that they be engaged for further training at the Ibom Leadership and Entrepreneurial Development Center, as well as Dakkada Skills Acquisition Centre, further directing that on completion, they be given starter packs and shops accordingly.

He also directed the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare to offer them proper accomodations outside the homes so they can begin their lives.

The Governor also approved an automatic overseas postgraduate scholarship for one of the inmates, Abigail Okon Edet and also directed that two other graduates who were already working with the State Civil Service be given a house each.

He warned against the proliferation of orphanages in the State, stressing that necessary requirements must be met and called on well-meaning Akwa Ibomites to keep supporting the less privileged in the State.

Advising the children further he said, "I came to give you hope, and to say ARISE with Renewed Hope. Your future is guaranteed. God will take care of you. Not to have parents should not deny you of your destinies." 

Governor Eno appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the first Lady, Senate Oluremi Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, colleague Governors and former Governor Udom Emmanuel for their heartwarming birthday messages as well as other felicitations from groups and individuals. 

In her remarks, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, described the Governor as a compassionate and selfless leader who prioritizes the welfare of the vulnerable, noting that his decision to channel birthday gifts to orphanages reflects his lifestyle of giving over personal gain.

She stressed that the Governor’s compassion has translated into tangible impact, with deliberate policies that have improved the welfare of orphans and vulnerable citizens, while restoring dignity across the state.