My Father’s Death Forced Me Into Street Hawking in Lagos – Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, has recounted a defining chapter of his early life, revealing that the death of his father forced him into street hawking in Lagos as a means of survival and family support. The governor shared the emotional story while delivering the convocation lecture at the 7th Convocation Ceremony of Mountain Top University, Ibafo, Ogun State.
According to Governor Eno, his father, a serving police officer, died in the line of duty, plunging the family into severe financial difficulty. With the sudden loss of the household’s primary breadwinner, the burden of survival fell heavily on his mother, prompting him to contribute to the family’s income despite being a secondary school student at the time.
“Life became very difficult after my father’s death,” Eno told the audience. “I had to help my mother augment the family’s income by hawking soft drinks on the streets of Lagos, even as a Senior Prefect of Victory High School.” He described the experience as humbling, physically demanding, and emotionally taxing, but one that shaped his character and outlook on life.
The governor noted that those early struggles laid the foundation for his entrepreneurial journey, instilling resilience, discipline, and a deep appreciation for honest labour. He explained that these values later guided him as he built what became one of the largest hospitality conglomerates in Akwa Ibom State, before eventually transitioning into public service and politics.
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Addressing the graduating students, Governor Eno urged them to dream boldly and pursue success through creativity, diligence, and perseverance. He warned against what he described as a growing culture of entitlement and the desire for instant gratification among young people, cautioning that shortcuts often lead to disappointment.
In a statement later issued by the Press Unit of the Akwa Ibom State Government House in Uyo, the governor expanded on his message, urging Nigerian youths to discard the notion of easy success. He stressed that the modern world, shaped by rapid technological change and shifting social values, demands innovation, courage, and the willingness to challenge long-established norms.
“We are living in a world shaped by new realities, where known boundaries have been breached and expanded by advancements in technology,” the statement read in part. “Values once considered sacrosanct are no longer the defining ethos, and groupthink is giving way to the need to do something daring, something different, and something that challenges long-held norms.”
Governor Eno observed that many young people, particularly those within the current generation of graduates, are often drawn to immediate gratification without corresponding effort. He warned that such an approach frequently results in failure, emphasising that sustainable success is built through patience, sacrifice, and consistent hard work.
Reflecting on his own journey, the governor attributed his rise in business and public life to faith, ethical conduct, and what he described as divine guidance. He spoke of an “implicit faith in the invisible hands of God,” which he said brought destiny helpers and opportunities at critical moments in his life.
“The road to success is not rosy,” he said. “You will achieve success only if you are upright in your dealings, guided by ethics and morality, and anchored in faith. When I remember my small beginnings and how God arranged my path, I am constantly reminded of His grace.”
Despite his current roles as a clergyman, entrepreneur, and governor, Eno said he has remained grounded in the values instilled by his parents. He noted that humility, compassion for the poor, and empathy for the downtrodden remain central to his identity and leadership philosophy.
The Chancellor and General Overseer of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, Professor Daniel Kolawole Olukoya, praised Governor Eno for delivering an inspiring lecture, describing his life story as a powerful reminder that leadership can be both competent and values-driven. Similarly, the Vice-Chancellor of Mountain Top University, Professor Elijah Adebowale Ayolabi, commended the governor for honouring the institution’s convocation with a thought-provoking and motivational address.