𝗔𝗞𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗬𝗘𝗡𝗘 𝗧𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗘𝗬’𝗦 𝗥𝗘𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗞𝗔𝗕𝗟𝗘 𝗢𝗡𝗘 𝗬𝗘𝗔𝗥 𝗜𝗡 𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗘: 𝗧𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗜𝗕𝗟𝗘 𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗦𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗜𝗡 𝗘𝗞𝗘𝗧

𝗕𝘆 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗺 𝗔𝗯𝗶𝗮.

When Mr. Akaniyene Tommey assumed office as Executive Chairman of Eket Local Government Area, not a few doubted his capacity to make a visible difference within a short time. One year after, the narrative has changed. Today, Eket wears a new face of progress, a reflection of focused leadership, prudent management, and a deep sense of purpose.

Despite the cynicism of his critics, the scorecard of the Mkpisong of Eket speaks loudly through tangible achievements that have touched lives and reshaped the image of the oil-rich Local Government Area.

One of the most remarkable accomplishments of the Tommey administration is the completion of a Multi-Purpose Eket City Hall, a rare feat among councils in Akwa Ibom State. The edifice stands as a symbol of quality and vision, a legacy project designed to outlive its initiator.

True to his philosophy of quiet service, Akaniyene Tommey has focused on delivering enduring infrastructure without engaging in needless competition or political showmanship.

Beyond the impressive hall, work is advancing rapidly on a new Legislative Complex for Eket Lawmakers, a structure projected to be one of the finest legislative edifices in the state, second only to the State House of Assembly.
Equipped with smart telecommunication systems and modern working tools, the building is expected to be commissioned by May 2026. This development underscores Tommey’s respect for institutional integrity and his commitment to creating a functional environment for effective lawmaking.

Within just one year, the Eket Council Secretariat has reached an advanced stage of transformation. The once aging and uninspiring administrative complex is being reborn into a modern, serene workspace that embodies the pride of the Eket people. Upon completion, it will provide a comfortable and visually appealing environment that fosters productivity, efficiency, and civic pride.

The Akaniyene Tommey administration has achieved notable success with the annual Eket Festival, repositioning it as a flagship cultural event that promotes tourism, stimulates local economic activity, and strengthens community identity. The 2024 edition of the festival recorded a significant economic impact, with an estimated 40% increase in local vendor participation and a 35% rise in small business revenue compared to previous years. This growth reflects a measurable financial turnaround for residents, particularly among artisans, food vendors, and service providers.

According to Mrs. Ekaette Udoh, a food vendor at the festival:
“The last festival brought more customers than ever before. My sales tripled compared to previous editions, and I’m grateful for the support and organization.”

Similarly, Mr. Etim Bassey, a craftsman, noted:
“The festival has given local artisans like me a platform to showcase our work. People now recognize and patronize Eket-made products.”

Another vendor, Miss Grace Nkan, added:
“The atmosphere was well-coordinated, and security was reassuring. It truly felt like a celebration of our people and culture.”

Economic empowerment has remained a cornerstone of the administration. Recently, ₦50 million has been disbursed as grants to small-scale entrepreneurs across the Local Government, a move aimed at stimulating the grassroots economy and encouraging self-reliance among small business owners. The ARISE Agenda of His Excellency, Governor Umo Eno has been closely replicated by the administration of Akaniyene Tommey.

Education has also received unprecedented attention. Through the Akaniyene Tommey Education Foundation, over 100 indigent Eket students in tertiary institutions across Nigeria are benefiting from scholarships, particularly those pursuing degrees in medicine, engineering, law, cyber security, and the humanities.

In addition, the council has paid bursaries worth millions of naira to hundreds of Eket indigenes in universities and polytechnics nationwide, easing the burden of tuition and academic expenses for many families.

Under Akaniyene Tommey’s leadership, Eket has remained one of the most peaceful and business-friendly areas in Akwa Ibom State. This stability is the result of a well-coordinated synergy between the council and security agencies, from the village level to the urban center.

The chairman’s proactive approach and support to security agencies and community-based surveillance networks have drastically curtailed criminal activities and fostered a sense of safety among residents and investors alike.

Unlike many political leaders who administer their councils from a distance, Mr. Akaniyene Tommey lives among his people. Long before Governor Umo Eno’s directive that all Local Government Chairmen should reside in their domains, Tommey had already made Eket his daily base of operations.

He attends personally to the concerns of citizens, traditional rulers, youths, women, and traders, reflecting a governance style rooted in empathy and accessibility.

A remarkable incident took place some months ago which goes to illustrate the many good deeds of the chairman, without publicity. It was a pitiable sight in the quiet backstreet of Idung Iniang, Eket, where Madam Felicita Okon, a frail widow in her late sixties, lay helpless on a bamboo bed, her weak frame barely covered by a faded wrapper. For days, she had battled a strange illness without help, her cries swallowed by the thick silence of poverty and neglect.

Neighbors whispered in despair, unsure where help could come from. Her only daughter, a petty trader, ran out of money to buy drugs or even food. Hope was fast fading, until the story of her condition reached the ears of the Chairman of Eket Local Government Area, Mr. Akaniyene Tommey.

Without hesitation, the Chairman left his office that afternoon and drove straight to the widow’s home. Witnesses recount how he stooped low beside her, held her frail hand, and promised immediate assistance. Within minutes, he had arranged for an ambulance to convey her to the hospital, where doctors began emergency treatment at his expense.

Tears of relief flowed freely as neighbors watched the convoy pull away. “I thought I would die here,” Madam Felicita whispered weakly. “But God sent me a son in the person of Chairman Akaniyene Tommey.”

True to his word, the Council Chairman not only ensured her medical bills were settled but also directed that a monthly welfare stipend be provided for her upkeep. His visit rekindled hope, not only for Madam Felicita but for many indigent citizens who saw, in that singular act, the heart of a leader who truly lives among his people.

Observers say Mkpisong Akaniyene Tommey’s action exemplifies leadership by compassion, the kind that sees beyond office walls and protocols. “He didn’t send a delegate; he came himself,” said an elderly resident. “That’s what makes him different, he feels our pain.”

For Madam Felicita Okon, her recovery is more than a return to health, it’s a story of mercy, humanity, and the power of a leader’s touch. Such is the nature of a chairman who does not blow his trumpet, as he continues to carter for many on daily basis.

For the second year, plans are underway to upgrade key rural roads across the three geo-political zones of Eket, alongside the provision of portable drinking water in 12 communities. These projects, slated for the coming dry season, will further open up rural economies and enhance the standard of living within the rural populace.

For all the noise of detractors, the evidence of progress under Mr. Akaniyene Tommey is visible, measurable, and people-centered. His quiet revolution in local governance has repositioned Eket as a model of purposeful leadership.

With quality infrastructure, economic empowerment, education support, and grassroots peace to his credit, Akaniyene Tommey’s administration is on course to leave behind a legacy that will take decades to match, a legacy built not on words, but on tangible results.