By Solomon Essiet
Saturday, May 02, 2026, was not just an ordinary day. It was a day the good people of Akwa Ibom State waited for earnestly, to witness the inaugural flight from Uyo to Accra, taking off from the Victor Attah International Airport, to give credence to the approval for full International operations, given to Victor Attah International Airport, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, through the goodwill of Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, PhD, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State.
As a member of the special media team set up to report on the progress of several projects in the State, including the just completed international terminal and activities leading to the Inaugural flight, our team was on hand at the Victor Attah International Airport, as early as possible, to relieve the experiences of both passengers, cabin crew and other airport staff.
As we stepped our foot into the departure hall of the Victor Attah International Airport, the first person we came in contact with, was Mr. George Uriesi, the managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Ibom Air. He needed no introduction, at the same time, a key figure to interface with so long as the Inaugural flight at the Victor Attah International Airport is concern. He was asked how he felt about the Inaugural flight and what it portend to Akwa Ibom State and her people. In his response, he said the experience is relieving as he was very emotional about the development. Adding that the Inaugural flight is the beginning of the journey, not an end. According to the managing Director, the services rendered by the management of the Airport must match the level of the State-of-the-art infrastructure, and all other investments put together by the State Government to ensure the success of the International flights as scheduled. He added that Victor Attah International Airport is the best Airport in the Country at the moment.
For Mrs. Ekanem Assam Assam, one of the passengers on the Inaugural flight, “I feel honoured to be on the Inaugural flight from Uyo to Accra, and I can’t wait to be on another Inaugural flight to London, United Kingdom”. She went ahead to say that the Governor of Akwa Ibom State is doing well as he does not ignore people from other political parties. According to her, she has seen people from other political parties who would be with her on the Inaugural flight from Uyo to Accra. This is a demonstration of the fact that Governor Eno is running an all inclusive administration.
According to the Chairman of Uyo Local Government Area, who doubles as the ALGON chairman, Dr. Uwemedimoh Udoh, with the International flights kicking off at the Victor Attah International Airport, Akwa Ibom State has already become the new destination for trade, commerce and Industry. Akwa Ibom people all over the world were happy to be identified with their State. Just as Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, opined that Akwa Ibom State is already an African Aviation Hub, with the introduction of the International Airport and her Inaugural flight.
For Dr. Umana Okon Umana, an elder stateman said, 30 years ago, nobody would believe that an International flights can take off and landed in Uyo. He described the Inaugural flight as a quantum lift. Adding that it was a day of fulfillment for all Akwa Ibom People. The Elder stateman recount how he was a part of the project as a former Commissioner for finance when the idea was first muted.
According to Hon. Patrick Umoh, Member Representing Ikot Ekpene, Obot Akara, and Essien Udim federal constituency, the maiden flight and subsequent ones shall contribute meaningfully to the Gross Domestic Product of Akwa Ibom State, thereby improving the State’s economy. He added by saying that Governor Eno is able to stand on the achievement of all the former Governor’s from Akwa Ibom State, most especially as regards the Victor Attah International Airport, in bringing the longstanding dream to fruition.
In his remarks, Governor Eno said he believes that loyalty is completing some projects that his predecessors in office could not complete. Stating that he is happy to deploy his finishers anointing yet again, to completing the International Terminal, leading to the Inaugural flight that took place on Saturday, May 02, 2026. Governor Eno said leaders should approach governance just like a relay race, where participants exchanges the batons effectively if they must succeed in the race. He reminded the gathering that the Airport project spanned 27 years, even as the dream of having an International flight, takes off from the Victor Attah International Airport is fully realised in his tenure. The Governor thanked God for the privilege to finish what all the other three Governors from 1999, started in the aviation sector. Governor Eno took time to appreciate all the past Governors before him for their very significant contributions towards the development of the Airport.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace, Barr. Festus Keyamo was full of praises for Governor Eno, for his commitment to seeing that the International status is finally added to the Victor Attah International Airport. He corrected the erroneous description of the International Terminal, stating that the State-of-the-art infrastructure is not just a terminal, but a transit hub. According to the Minister, “This kind of services do not exist in any Sub-national anywhere in the Country, but only here in this Airport”.
Keyamo noted that Akwa Ibom State was gradually transforming into a Dubai in Nigeria given its level of infrastructural development.
“This Airport is not just one of those Airports, not just a terminal building, but a world-class transit hub with immense impact.
“With this facility, passengers are afforded the opportunity of transferring their flights from international to international, domestic to international, and international to domestic”, he said.
For Governor Eno, his finishers anointing speaks volume. Not just at the Victor Attah International Airport, but several other projects scattered across the State, including the ongoing construction of the 5000-capacity Ibom Convention Centre, the 200-capacity Ibom International Hotel, including the completion of abandoned road projects around the State from the hills of Itu, Ini, Obot Akara, Local Government Areas to the valley of Ikono, Essien Udim, Nist Ibom, Oron, Etinan and Ikot Abasi, Local Government Areas. Governor Eno, since assumption of office on May 29, 2023, has been seen doing good, anywhere he goes. We must rise up in support of the Golden Era administration.