Society
Touch Lives Of Downtrodden And Send Videos To Me – Gov Umo Tells How His Birthday Should Be Celebrated
while reiterating his appreciation for the goodwill he has continued to receive.
Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has asked friends, associates and well-wishers to channel goodwill intended for his 62nd birthday into acts of compassion for the less privileged, rather than personal gifts.
A day ahead of his birthday on April 24, 2026, the governor made the appeal in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Ekerete Udoh, where he expressed gratitude to the people of the state for their sustained support and prayers.
“Tomorrow, April 24, 2026, it has pleased God to make me witness another year,” Governor Eno said, acknowledging what he described as a moment of reflection and gratitude.
He added, “Let me thank the people of Akwa Ibom State for your continuous prayers and support,” while reiterating his appreciation for the goodwill he has continued to receive.
The governor, however, made it clear that he would not accept personal gifts, urging those who wish to celebrate him to redirect such gestures toward humanitarian causes.
“To those who may desire or wish to express their love on the occasion of my birthday through gifts, I thank them for their kind thoughts and sentiments, but no personal gifts will be received,” he insisted.
Adding, “However, as in previous moments, I ask that they convert such gifts to touching the lives of the poor, the downtrodden, widows, and those on the far reaches of the ladder of life, or to orphanages of their choice.”
The state chief executive further encouraged individuals and groups carrying out such acts to document them and share the moments with his office.
“Please take pictures and videos of such show of compassion and send them to me through my Chief Press Secretary, Ekerete Udoh, or my Chief Photographer, Idara Adiakpan,” he said.
Framing the gesture as a core philosophy of service, the governor stressed the importance of impact-driven living, especially in moments of personal celebration.
“The essence of our lives is to impact and touch the lives of the less-privileged and give them a reason to be hopeful. The occasion of my birthday represents one of such moments,” he emphasised.
He concluded with a message of hope for the state, saying, “May God bless our State and our people as we continue our work to usher in the Golden Era of our growth and development.”
