AKWA Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, has shared a deeply personal account of how the death of his father plunged his family into hardship and compelled him to hawk soft drinks on the streets of Lagos to support his mother.
News Point Nigeria reports that Governor Eno made the revelation on Thursday while delivering the Convocation Lecture at the 7th Convocation Ceremony of Mountain Top University, Ibafo, Ogun State.
Recalling his early life, the governor said his father, a police officer, died in active service, an incident that abruptly altered the family’s fortunes and introduced him to the harsh realities of life at a young age.
“Life became very difficult after my father’s death,” Eno said. “I had to help my mother augment the family’s income by hawking soft drinks on the streets of Lagos, even while serving as a Senior Prefect at Victory High School.”
The governor described the experience as a defining moment that shaped his resilience, work ethic, and entrepreneurial drive. He noted that the struggles of his youth laid the foundation for his later success as an entrepreneur, eventually leading him to build one of the largest hospitality conglomerates in Akwa Ibom State before venturing into public service.
Addressing the graduating students, Eno urged them to dream boldly, embrace creativity, and commit themselves to hard work, warning against the growing culture of entitlement and the desire for instant success.
In a statement issued on Friday by the Press Unit of the Akwa Ibom State Government House in Uyo, the governor cautioned Nigerian youths against seeking shortcuts to success, stressing that lasting achievement requires discipline, innovation, and perseverance.
According to the statement, Eno observed that modern society, driven by rapid technological advancement, has disrupted traditional boundaries and created new realities that demand bold thinking and adaptability.
“We are living in a world where known boundaries have been breached and expanded by technology,” he said. “Values once considered sacrosanct are no longer the defining ethos, and groupthink is rapidly giving way to the need to do something daring, something different, something that challenges long-held norms.”
The governor noted that many young people, particularly those of the younger generation, are increasingly drawn to immediate gratification and entitlement, often seeking success without putting in the necessary effort.
“They want to achieve success without corresponding hard work, and most times, they crash and burn,” he warned.
Reflecting on his own journey, Eno attributed his success to integrity, faith in God, and the support of people he described as “destiny helpers.”
“My growth was driven by my implicit faith in the Invisible Hands of God to bring destiny helpers who would propel me to where God had destined me to be,” he said.
He added that the road to success is often challenging and uncertain but insisted that upright conduct, ethical behaviour, and faith remain indispensable.
“You will achieve success only if you are upright in your dealings, guided by ethics and morality, and anchored in faith in God. When I remember my small beginnings and how God arranged my path, I am always in awe of His mercies and grace,” he stated.
The governor encouraged the graduands to take initiative, build capacity, and commit themselves to consistent effort, assuring them that perseverance and faith would eventually yield results.
Despite his current roles as a minister of the Gospel, entrepreneur, and politician, Eno said he has remained grounded by the values instilled in him by his parents, humility which he wears as a badge of honour, and a deep sense of compassion for the poor and vulnerable.
Meanwhile, the Chancellor and General Overseer of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, Professor Daniel Kolawole Olukoya, praised Governor Eno for his inspiring message and exemplary leadership.
“We specially honour and thank our Convocation Lecturer, His Excellency, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State,” Olukoya said. “Your presence dignifies this occasion, your words inspire this generation, and your example reminds us that leadership can be both competent and values-driven.”
Also speaking, the Vice-Chancellor of Mountain Top University, Professor Elijah Adebowale Ayolabi, commended the governor for honouring the institution’s convocation and delivering what he described as a stimulating and impactful lecture.