Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno says no Personal Assistant under him earns below ₦1m monthly.
He challenged appointees to show accountability and community impact, rewarding one aide with promotion.
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has said that none of his Personal Assistants (PAs) take home less than one million naira monthly, dismissing claims that their earnings are meagre.
Speaking at a Town Square Meeting with residents of Ikono and Ini Federal Constituency in Ibiaku Ntok Okpo, the governor frowned at complaints from some aides over their remuneration.
He commended his Personal Assistant on Protocol, Blessed Essien, who recently used part of his pay to construct a borehole for his community. As recognition for the gesture, Eno announced Essien’s promotion to Special Assistant on Public Works.
Referencing Essien’s initiative, the governor challenged other appointees to demonstrate similar commitment. “I received a report of a PA who spent his earnings to provide a borehole in his village. That’s worthy of emulation. But others with the same opportunities have not shown such impact,” he said.
Governor Eno stressed that the monthly package for PAs is significant and should not be trivialized. “Let it be clear: no PA to the governor earns below one million naira a month. To call that a stipend is misleading. That is substantial income, and I expect accountability and transparency from all appointees,” he added.
He directed the Secretary to the State Government to publish a comprehensive list of political appointees by local government area in a national newspaper.
Encouraging public scrutiny, the governor urged citizens to question their representatives. “Ask your PAs, your SAs, SSAs, and Commissioners what they have done for your communities,” he told the gathering.
Eno reaffirmed that performance would remain the yardstick for growth in his administration, noting that Essien’s elevation was tied directly to his visible contributions at the grassroots.
