Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has shared a deeply personal account of hardship, revealing that he once hawked soft drinks on the streets of Lagos to support his family after the death of his father, a police officer who died in active service.
Governor Eno made the disclosure while delivering the Convocation Lecture at the seventh convocation ceremony of Mountain Top University in Ibafo, Ogun State. He said his father’s death abruptly changed the course of his life and forced him to confront poverty at an early age.
According to the governor, life became extremely difficult for his family after the loss. He explained that as a senior prefect at Victory High School, he still had to roam Lagos streets selling soft drinks to help his mother sustain the household. He described those years as painful but formative, noting that they laid the foundation for the entrepreneurial mindset that later enabled him to build one of the largest hospitality businesses in Akwa Ibom State.
Eno used the platform to urge graduating students to dream boldly, embrace creativity, and commit to hard work, cautioning against entitlement and the craving for instant success. He warned that the pursuit of quick rewards without discipline often ends in failure.
In a statement issued on Friday by the Press Unit of the Akwa Ibom State Government House in Uyo, the governor said Nigerian youths must abandon the belief that success comes easily. He stressed that the modern world, reshaped by rapid technological change, demands innovation, courage, and the willingness to challenge long held conventions.
He noted that many young people, particularly those of the present generation, have embraced a culture of immediate gratification, believing success can be achieved without sustained effort. He said this mindset explains why many promising pursuits collapse before they mature.
Reflecting on his personal journey, Governor Eno attributed his rise in business and public life to faith, integrity, and divine guidance. He said his progress was driven by a deep trust in God to bring the right people at the right time to help him fulfil his destiny.
Read also:
- Gov. Eno applauds synergy between LG chairmen, councillors in Akwa Ibom
- Empowering local talents is a cardinal objective of my govt- Gov. Eno
- Ex-minister, Udoma, urges Umo to set up think-tank for implementation of devt agenda
He added that success is rarely smooth and can only be sustained through upright conduct, ethical values, and consistency. Recalling his humble beginnings, he said he remains in awe of how his life unfolded, insisting that the same path is open to anyone willing to start small, work diligently, and remain focused.
Despite his roles as a pastor, entrepreneur, and governor, Eno said he has not lost the values instilled by his parents, describing humility and compassion for the poor as central to his life and leadership.
The Chancellor and General Overseer of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, Professor Daniel Kolawole Olukoya, praised Governor Eno for his presence and message, saying his life story offers proof that leadership can be anchored in competence and strong values.
Also speaking, the Vice Chancellor of Mountain Top University, Professor Elijah Adebowale Ayolabi, commended the governor for honouring the convocation ceremony and delivering what he described as an inspiring and thought provoking lecture to the graduating students.
