The Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has praised the leadership style of Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno, describing it as purposeful, impactful and people-focused.
Musa made the remarks on Thursday during a courtesy visit to the governor at Government House, Uyo, according to a statement issued on Friday by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Ekerete Udoh.
The minister said he was impressed by the quality of infrastructure in the state, particularly the road network he observed while moving across Akwa Ibom. He noted that the developments demonstrated that effective governance was achievable.
He also said he had been following the state government’s ARISE development agenda and observed that what he saw on the ground reflected a commitment to delivering dividends of democracy to citizens.
“My prayer is that others will also watch and see what has been done, and to know that these things are possible, it’s not rocket science,” Musa said.
The Defence Minister, who was in the state to deliver a convocation lecture at Akwa Ibom State University, thanked the governor for the hospitality extended to him and commended him for what he described as good governance.
He added that Akwa Ibom remained relatively peaceful because residents felt a sense of inclusion and care, and expressed hope that Nigeria could achieve similar levels of stability, particularly in the northern region.
On national security, Musa said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had made progress in addressing security challenges, noting that efforts combined both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies.
He explained that kinetic measures involve the use of force, while non-kinetic approaches focus on governance and welfare delivery, which he said were evident in Akwa Ibom’s development model.
He also called on citizens to support security agencies by reporting suspicious activities, stressing that security management required collective responsibility.
Musa commended the state government for its support to the military, particularly the 2 Brigade of the Nigerian Army and other security formations operating in Akwa Ibom, and assured continued commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the country.
In his response, Governor Eno thanked the minister for accepting to deliver the convocation lecture and for his insights on national security issues. He also congratulated Musa on his appointment and described him as one of the country’s most respected military leaders.
The governor expressed condolences over the loss of military personnel in parts of the country and pledged continued support for security agencies operating in the state.
He attributed the peace in Akwa Ibom to cooperation between government and security agencies, and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening that collaboration.
