By Israel Thompson

It was Oliver Napoleon Hill, the American self-help author, who had opined as follow: “whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve”. So much is confirmed by Scripture in Mark 11:23 when it also says: “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them”.

These two respectable authorities seem to adequately justify the current craze in the state not just over the workability of a “Golden Era” here, but its arrival already under the watch of our golden Governor, His Excellency, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, PhD.

Refresher: a “Golden Era” is the apogee or high-point in the developmental evolution of a people; a period designated in socio-political thought as one delivering the greatest good for the greatest number. It is a time of utmost felicity, beatitude and many-sided prosperity. France , currently the world’s most visited country, featuring Paris, the French Riviera , and Alpine regions, had its golden era spanning 1871 to 1914. The United States, Turkey, Italy are top-ranking countries for international tourism. So also, are cities like Bangkok, Istanbul, London, Hong Kong and Dubai consistently making the list of the world’s most visited cities, attracting millions for cultural, business and leisure travels.

Questions are: “Can Akwa Ibom ever make this list? Is this much-desired Eldorado realizable in Akwa Ibom State? As we have seen from our opening quotes, the answer is an emphatic “yes”! As the quotes also infer, its realization is possible when mental conception is backed by such belief that stimulates radical action, driven and rooted in concrete plans, skillful resource deployment and faith in God.

The noble ideals of the ARISE Agenda of the Governor answers to this imperative. Anchored on Agricultural Revolution; Rural Development; Infrastructural Maintenance/ Advancement; Security Management and Educational Advancement, Arise Agenda is delivering the goods. In the spirit of Arise, many construction sites are fast being transformed into show-rooms for completed and inaugurated projects, while other projects are aggressively in the works.

There are however scattered instances of sluggish job performance by some contractors, which the governor himself has complained about.This slow delivery pace obviously does not reflect Governor Eno’s high-gusto body language at all; Speedy and timely projects delivery as envisioned in the ARISE Agenda is the way to go, for only such aligns with the Governor’s vision for the state.

The Governor must accordingly be acknowledged for his unprecedented verve and charism. Every other day, he is on regular project inspection. He has ordered prompt and timely release of funds to contractors from time to time and tasked his delivery advisors on deadlines. A typical case was the ARISE Palm Resort, which was to be inaugurated last December, but was not ready as scheduled – not even a phase to placate the “talknado” enthusiasm of the governor whose desire to have a Happy Hour location opened for the people during the 2025 Yuletide, was fever-pitched.

It is therefore imperative for some fundamental and drastic steps to be taken to address the worrisome possibility that the governor may be frustrated by persons who in spite of being privileged to work for government, are yet to fully key into his vision.
In this connection a new strategy to fast-track delivery will sure perform the magic!

Areas where such recalibration should be directed include a new funding template with adequate legal components to improve payment portfolios for contractors. Similarly, tinkering with the the ARISE Agenda to outline and prioritise details that could be pursued in twos or in threes for the remaining years of the administration might enhance focus with better results. Such strategic expansion would then bring in Farm Mechanisation, Processing, Storage and off – taking and Up-taking of farm products into the State’s Agri-revolution equation.

Also, investment in infrastructure like domestic tourism assets; historic sites; potentials; key tourism infrastructure and greater efforts at ensuring better traveller’s patronage from across the world for our tourism industry, will position our state for the envisioned economic renaissance under the ARISE Agenda.

If our Governor chooses to focus on tourism for the time being, it will be understandable from the point of view of the wisdom of not bitting more than one can chew at a time. And this will be sufficiently rewarding too. For instance, an estimated 8.2 billion dollars revenue and 2.6 million jobs are up for grasps, or at risk of forfeiture, if Nigeria and by extension, Akwa Ibom, does not upgrade its tourism infrastructure to check the dominance of Morocco and Egypt in Africa.
Moreso, making tourism a major revenue earner that will exceed the traditional oil income is fundamental in achieving a golden era in Akwa Ibom. It will also move the state away from the current civil service economy to one diversified and driven by tourism and other economic catalysts.

Interestingly, Governor Eno has earmarked 16 Billion Naira for tourism reforms in the 2026 Budget of the State. The Governor is, also prioritizing key flagship projects for completion, upgrade and embarking on outright execution of other critical tourism projects as a strategy for making our state the preferred destination in its medium and long term tourism master plan.

Remarkably, the large turnout of visitors and residents at the Christmas Park, during the 2025 Christmas Unplugged, Tropicana Market-Square, Ibom Icon Hotels and Golf Resort, Four Point by Sheraton, Ikot Ekpene and other shopping and relaxation spots in the state, showcased the huge tourism potentials in Akwa Ibom and neighbouring states waiting to be tapped.
It behoves all Akwa Ibom people to rise to the occasion and encourage the Governor and his team to succeed.
Contractors, and projects monitoring foot-soldiers of the governor need to redouble their efforts for a timely delivery of all tourism related projects within specification and time allotted.

The Governor had assured that the Uyo City Tourism Eco-system projects, comprising 5000 capacity International Convention Centre; 200-Room Ibom Hotel; ARISE Shopping City and Amusement Park, would soon come on stream. Other key tourism related infrastructure, like the Victor Attah International Airport expansion; Ibom Hotels and Golf Resort upgrade; establishment of a new high standard eco- friendly resort at other cultural and tourism sites, he also said are to be considered.
Apparently, the Blue River, with its river confluence at Ikot Inyang Udo in Ukanafun, if developed, has the potential to be the game-changer for the state’s tourism development agenda.
Similarly, the Ibeno Beach in Ibeno; the Oron Beach in Oron and other historic and scenic sites, can be transformed and made to become critical economic pillars for our economic diversification for overall higher GDP.

What about upgrading the colonial Amalgamation House and the Bridge -of-NO-Return in Ikot Abasi, in addition to re- constructing the Qua River Hotel in Eket; upgrading the Ibibio Museum and Unity Park; the Ikot Ekpene Plaza; and exotic decoration of all flyovers in Uyo – these are all windows for improved tourism-based revenue inflow.

And then the phenomenal aviation access to the state! Fortunately, the Governor has purchased new CRJ 90, A-200 and A-300 Airbuses, thereby establishing Akwa Ibom as a top aviation gateway in the South-South region of Nigeria. Again, the rebranding of cultural and seasonal events like the Christmas Unplugged for qualification into the international tourism calendar could further boost tourists participation in these programs for a greater economic benefits to the state. Investments in security to create a safe environment for tourists and investors will boost the state revenue profile for greater prosperity.

Creative lighting designs that enhance safety and illuminate installations, thereby creating a more scenic night-time vistas are sure tourism boosters.

Public-Private Partnership, (PPP) through collaboration between government, private businesses and local communities could also enable the state emerge as Nigerian’s foremost tourism hub. Global focus that snowballs into a deliberate push towards a projected 1million local visitor outlook, and another 1million international travellers estimate for 2026 – a forecast expected to run into about 5 million tourists sign-ups by 2030, would ultimately make for a sustainably high-impact revenue inflow for the state. Digital technology will help in making travelling a seamless experience; as flights and hotel bookings expedited online; boarding passes processed on travellers’ smartphones, with automated clearance gates and boarding passes validation electronically.
Utilizing smart data driven technology to manage visitor’s traffic; workforce training; and targeted marketing to create safe, accessible and welcoming destinations will help create world class tourism destinations in Akwa Ibom.
Furthermore, excellent legislations promoting healthy competition, tackling seasonality, overcrowding, and ensuring inclusivity along the entire tourism value-chain, before, during and after a trip, should be properly synchronized.

Already, with the new momentum which our compassionate Governor has injected into governance, there is an unwavering hope for the diversification of our economy such that the state would in no time become a leading tourist’s destination and an emerging socio-economic power-house in Nigeria. As the
Governor himself put it when he flagged off the 2025 Christmas Unplugged, in Uyo, “for us as a state, tourism is fast becoming our middle name!” He explained that his administration was advancing the cause of tourism, and that with the approval of International Status for the Victor Attah Airport, the state was making major progress in aviation and tourism development. Speaking of the state’s rich cuisine, Pastor Eno encouraged residents and visitors from all over the world to visit Akwa Ibom and savour its rich cultural and culinary heritage.

All these, in addition to the prestigious Cultural Ambassador Awards on Governor Eno by the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, and the recognition by the World Association for Tourism and Biodiversity (WATB), underscore the fact that tourism can drive economic growth and job creation for the attainment of a Golden Era anywhere, particularly so in Akwa Abasi Ibom State.