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Akwa Ibom Indigenes Urge Governor to Prioritise State Development
Akwa Ibom indigenes urge Governor Umo Eno to focus on state development, prioritising housing, healthcare, and education over Abuja projects
Residents of Akwa Ibom State have appealed to Governor Umo Eno to prioritise development within the state rather than pursue a proposed housing estate in Abuja, Daily Post Nigeria reports on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.
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The call follows widespread commentary, including from veteran journalist Jimi Disu and Dr Tom Fredfish, Chairman of PDP Advocates for Peace and Justice (PAPA-J).
In an open letter titled “Prioritising Development in Akwa Ibom: A Call to Focus on Home,” Ms Mfon Umana, a prominent Diasporan Akwa Ibomite, described the Abuja housing initiative as “taking from one purse to fill another.” Umana emphasised that residents of the Federal Capital Territory, including Akwa Ibom indigenes, contribute taxes to the FCT administration rather than to Akwa Ibom.
She argued that directing resources to projects within Akwa Ibom would deliver the greatest and most lasting impact, noting urgent local needs such as housing, roads, healthcare facilities, schools, water supply, and employment-generating investments.
“Every naira deployed outside the state is a naira not invested in Uyo, Ikot Ekpene, Eket, and other rural communities,” Umana wrote. She proposed alternative measures, including partnerships with private developers or leveraging existing government housing schemes to benefit Akwa Ibomites living in the FCT.
Umana also urged the government to construct teachers’ quarters across primary and secondary schools, establish general hospitals in larger local government areas, and equip educational and healthcare institutions with ICT tools.
She stressed that such investments would create jobs, stimulate the local economy, and leave tangible, long-term improvements across the state.
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While stressing her respect for Akwa Ibom people living in Abuja, Umana concluded that Governor Eno’s constitutional mandate and fiscal responsibility are clearest within the state’s borders, and that resources should be channelled where they can have the most direct and visible impact.
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Dauda Lawal swears in five permanent secretaries in Zamfara, urging them to follow public service rules, financial regulations and relevant laws
Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has sworn in five new permanent secretaries, urging them to comply with Public Service Rules, financial regulations and other relevant laws in the discharge of their duties.
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The swearing-in ceremony took place on Thursday at the Grand Chamber of the Government House in Gusau, the state capital.
The newly appointed permanent secretaries are Ahmad S. Zamfara, Nasiru Halilu Anka, Mu’azu Jibril Guraguri, Adamu Abdullahi Kanoma and Sani Muhammad Shinkafi.
The Chief Judge of Zamfara State, Justice Kulu Aliyu, administered the oath of office to the appointees, who pledged allegiance to the Federal Republic of Nigeria in accordance with the Constitution and the law.
Speaking at the ceremony, Lawal congratulated the new permanent secretaries, describing their appointments as recognition of their experience, abilities and readiness to take on greater responsibilities.
He said their roles extended beyond personal career advancement, noting that their decisions and conduct would influence government performance and the welfare of residents.
“The Permanent Secretary is central to Government, providing administrative leadership, institutional continuity, and policy advice while implementing approved programs,” the governor said.
He added that permanent secretaries were responsible for maintaining discipline, coordinating their establishments and ensuring that public resources were used for their intended purposes.
Lawal said his administration remained committed to strengthening government institutions and improving public administration to support Zamfara’s development priorities.
He noted that the civil service played a critical role in translating government decisions into practical results, particularly in the delivery of essential services.
The governor urged the new appointees to align their work with his administration’s priorities through proper planning, realistic implementation strategies, effective supervision and continuous assessment of results.
He also called on them to maintain constructive and professional relationships with commissioners and other political officeholders.
According to Lawal, political leaders are responsible for setting policy, while career civil servants provide the institutional knowledge, technical advice and administrative capacity needed to implement it.
He stressed that mutual respect and cooperation between political officeholders and career civil servants were essential to effective governance.
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The governor urged the permanent secretaries to uphold discipline and professionalism while ensuring that their departments supported the administration’s development agenda and served the needs of the people of Zamfara.
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