UYO: Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has carried out a sweeping reorganisation of his administration, announcing the appointment of a new Head of Service alongside the immediate dismissal of two senior aides.
The development marks one of the most significant internal shake-ups since he assumed office, signaling what government insiders describe as a renewed push toward strengthening bureaucratic efficiency and aligning his team with emerging governance priorities.
In a statement released on Monday in Uyo by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Enobong Uwah, the governor approved the appointment of Mrs. Elsie Peters as the new Head of Service of Akwa Ibom State.
Mrs. Peters takes over from Mr. Effiong Essien, who officially bowed out of service following his statutory retirement.
Her appointment is expected to bring renewed vigour to the state’s civil service, especially as the governor continues to emphasise professionalism, service efficiency, and merit-based leadership within the public sector.
Peters, a well-regarded administrator with decades of experience in the civil service, is expected to oversee ongoing reforms targeted at improving workflow, digitalising administrative processes, and ensuring effective implementation of government policies across ministries, departments, and agencies.
In a parallel development, Governor Eno relieved two high-ranking officials of their duties in what appears to be a decisive move to restructure key areas of his administration.
Those dismissed are:
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Mr. Joseph Ikpak – Senior Special Assistant on Support Services
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Mr. Felix Ekuri – Special Assistant on Neighbourhood Watch
Their termination, according to government sources familiar with the matter, is part of a broader plan to reposition the governor’s team and eliminate areas of inefficiency that may hinder the smooth execution of his agenda.
Insiders suggest the dismissals may be connected to an ongoing performance review across all ministries and agencies, with emphasis on transparency, discipline, and alignment with the governor’s development blueprint, known as the ARISE Agenda.
Political analysts note that Governor Eno’s latest decisions reflect a growing pattern among state executives preparing for a more intense second half of their first term, where delivery expectations are typically higher.
The reshuffle, they argue, serves several political and administrative purposes:
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Reinforcing internal cohesion in the governor’s team
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Eliminating perceived bottlenecks in key support and security-related roles
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Injecting new energy into the civil service leadership
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Preparing the administration for upcoming projects, budget cycles, and mid-term assessments
With rising public expectations, especially in infrastructure, education, rural development, and security intelligence coordination, observers say the governor is keen to ensure that his aides and civil service executives are adequately positioned to meet targets.
While no official reasons were disclosed for the dismissal of the two aides, early reactions from within the state’s political circles suggest that the move has been welcomed as evidence of the governor’s willingness to hold officials accountable.
Civil servants also expressed hope that the new Head of Service would champion reforms that improve working conditions, streamline promotions, and ensure better welfare provisions.
Governor Umo Eno’s latest administrative overhaul is expected to be the beginning of a more extensive internal restructuring as he consolidates his governance approach.
With the new Head of Service now in place and non-performing aides removed, attention is expected to shift toward implementation of key projects and refining the operational capacity of government ministries.
Observers will be watching closely to see how these changes shape the efficiency of the Eno administration in the months ahead, particularly as the state moves into a period of heightened governance activities.
