Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has called on political leaders to prioritise good governance over electoral victories, saying the true test of democracy lies in improving the lives of citizens through quality public services.
Governor Eno made the call while delivering the Centenary Lecture of the Yoruba Tennis Club in Onikan, Lagos, themed “Democracy and the Imperative of Good Governance: Renewing Hope in Challenging Times.”
He said democracy should not be measured solely by the conduct of elections but by its impact on people’s daily lives through access to quality healthcare, education, infrastructure, food security and other essential services.
“Elections confer legitimacy; governance justifies it,” Eno said, stressing that governments must be judged by their ability to deliver meaningful development.
The Governor also advocated greater transparency and accountability in public administration, warning that opaque budgeting and procurement processes encourage corruption and weaken public trust.
As part of efforts to promote accountability, Eno said the Akwa Ibom State Government holds monthly Delivery Review Sessions where commissioners and heads of agencies publicly present the progress, costs and timelines of projects before stakeholders, journalists and civil society groups.
He maintained that restoring confidence in democratic institutions requires openness, measurable performance and leadership committed to the welfare of the people.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who joined other dignitaries at the event, congratulated the Yoruba Tennis Club on its centenary, describing it as one of Nigeria’s oldest and most respected social institutions.
Sanwo-Olu commended Governor Eno for delivering a thought-provoking lecture and said the club’s 100th anniversary symbolises a legacy of friendship, excellence and nation-building that has endured for a century.
Earlier, Chairman of the Yoruba Tennis Club, Olawumi Gasper, described the centenary as a historic milestone.
He noted that the club has, over the past 100 years, combined recreation with intellectual discourse, civic responsibility and national development.
Gasper thanked the distinguished guests for honouring the event, saying their presence underscored the enduring relevance of the club’s ideals and its contributions to Nigeria’s socio-political development.
The centenary lecture attracted governors, political leaders, diplomats, captains of industry and other distinguished Nigerians as part of activities marking the club’s 100th anniversary.
