…Commends Tinubu for funding support to states, charges new employees on excellence and digital skills
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has explained that the recruitment of 4,000 new public servants was aimed at filling identified vacancies and strengthening the state’s public service, rather than unnecessarily increasing its workforce.
Governor Eno made this clarification on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, during the orientation exercise organised for the newly recruited workers at the Ibom Tropicana Event Centre, Uyo.
The Governor recalled that shortly after assuming office, his administration conducted a staff verification exercise which uncovered more than 2,000 ghost workers, alongside several retired personnel who were still on the state’s payroll.
He explained that after blocking the financial leakages and identifying vacancies within the system, the government decided to recruit qualified personnel to fill the gaps and improve service delivery.
According to him, the recruitment was driven by the need to strengthen the public service and make it more efficient.
“There was a huge vacancy gap in the service, so we are not recruiting to bloat the service but to strengthen and make the public service more efficient for excellent work output.
“Governance is serious business, and to be undertaken by serious-minded people. So, the recruitment was done out of utmost exigency and available vacancies to strengthen the system to function effectively. They are fit for purpose,” he said.
Governor Eno reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the prompt payment of workers’ salaries and gratuities, while commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for making funds available to state governments to support project execution and the payment of salaries and other entitlements.
He urged the newly employed workers to demonstrate commitment, professionalism, discipline and excellence in the discharge of their responsibilities.
The Governor also emphasised the importance of digital skills, innovation and respectful working relationships with senior officers, noting that the state government was working towards the full digitalisation of public services.
He challenged the new employees to introduce fresh ideas that would improve government operations and enhance service delivery to the people.
“As our children, the reason we sent you to school was for you to come back with new and better ideas to transform the way we do things in the system. We expect this crop of civil servants to be the brightest and the best that we have ever had.
“We expect you to be committed to your work; be passionate; be transparent in the execution of your responsibilities,” he said.
On digital transformation, Eno stated that the government expected the new workforce to embrace technology and become digitally proficient to accelerate administrative processes.
“We are in the process of full digitalisation of our services. So, we expect you to do everything to be digitally compliant, to enable your work move faster so that we can together serve our people better.
“Do well to keep this job; do well to do the job you asked for; and do well to excel for the best of our state and yourselves,” he added.
Earlier, the Head of Service, Mrs Elsie Peters, commended Governor Eno for his visionary leadership, which she said had positively transformed the state public service.
She expressed confidence in the quality of the newly recruited workforce, noting that the orientation and training provided by the state government would help revitalise the service and position it for greater achievements.
Speaking on behalf of the 4,000 newly employed workers, Miss Etoroabasi Enobong presented a special message of appreciation and a gift to the Governor, describing him as a father and a leader of inestimable value.
Those present at the event included the Chief of Staff, Mr Aniefiok Johnson; members of the State Executive Council; political leaders; government officials and other dignitaries.
