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My father’s death turned me to Lagos hawker – A’Ibom gov
How My Father’s Death Forced Me to Hawk Soft Drinks in Lagos – Gov Umo Eno
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has shared a touching account of how the death of his father pushed him into hawking soft drinks on the streets of Lagos in order to support his mother financially.
The governor made the emotional revelation while delivering the Convocation Lecture at the 7th Convocation Ceremony of Mountain Top University, Ibafo, Ogun State, on Thursday.
According to Eno, his father, a police officer, died in active service, plunging the family into financial hardship at a very young age.
“Life Became Very Difficult After My Father’s Death”
Recalling his early struggles, Governor Eno said he had to combine schooling with street trading just to survive.
He stated: “Life became very difficult after my father’s death. 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.”
The governor explained that those difficult moments laid the foundation for his entrepreneurial mindset, which later enabled him to build one of the largest hospitality conglomerates in Akwa Ibom State.
Message to Graduates: Reject Entitlement Mentality
In a statement issued by the Press Unit of the Akwa Ibom State Government House in Uyo on Friday, Eno urged Nigerian youths to discard the entitlement mentality and the pursuit of shortcuts to success.
He warned that modern society demands creativity, discipline, and resilience, not a desire for instant gratification.
The statement partly read:
“We are living in a world shaped by new realities, where known boundaries have been breached by technological advancement, and where values once considered sacrosanct are no longer the defining ethos.”
“This is a world that demands daring ideas, originality, and the courage to challenge long-held norms.”
Hard Work, Ethics, and Faith as Keys to Success
Governor Eno stressed that many young people, particularly those he described as belonging to the now-famous Generation X, often seek success without putting in the required effort.
According to him, such attitudes often lead to failure.
He said his own journey was sustained by discipline, ethical conduct, and unwavering faith in God, describing his success as a product of divine grace and destiny helpers.
“You will achieve success only if you are upright in your dealings, guided by ethics and morality, and anchored in faith,” he said.
Remembering His Roots Despite Success
Despite his current status as a clergyman, entrepreneur, and politician, Eno said he has not forgotten his humble beginnings.
He noted that the values instilled in him by his parents, humility, and compassion for the poor continue to shape his leadership style.
“Whenever I remember my small beginnings and how God arranged my path, I am in awe of His mercies and grace,” he added.
University Leadership Commends Governor Eno
The Chancellor and General Overseer of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, Professor Daniel Kolawole Olukoya, praised Governor Eno for inspiring the graduating students with his life story and leadership values.
He described the governor’s presence as dignifying the ceremony and his message as a 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 and delivering what he described as a stimulating and inspiring lecture.
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