Nine months after a midnight fire razed a residential building in Atabong community, Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Governor Umo Eno has rebuilt a home for a widow and her children who were left homeless by the tragedy.
The inferno, which occurred in the early hours of the night, destroyed a 15-room compound housing several families and properties worth millions of naira. Although no life was lost, the fire displaced residents and plunged affected households into months of hardship.
For Mrs Comfort Eshiet Daniels, a widow and mother, the fire marked one of the darkest moments of her life. With her home reduced to ashes, she and her children were forced to rely on temporary shelter and community support. That painful chapter, however, came to a close with the official handover of a newly rebuilt home by the Akwa Ibom State Government.
The commissioning ceremony, held in Atabong, drew government officials, community leaders and residents who gathered to witness the formal presentation of the completed building to the family.
Representing Governor Eno at the event, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Dr Frank Archibong, said the intervention reflected the governor’s compassion-driven leadership and commitment to protecting the most vulnerable citizens.
He noted that the governor’s approach to governance prioritises people over politics, especially those affected by unforeseen disasters.
“This intervention speaks to the heart of this administration,” Archibong said. “Governor Umo Eno believes governance must be felt at the grassroots, particularly by widows, children and families facing hardship.”
An emotional Mrs Daniels expressed deep appreciation to the governor for restoring stability to her household after months of uncertainty. She described the gesture as life-changing and pledged continued support for the administration.
“I had almost lost hope,” she said. “But today, my children and I have a place to call home again. This is more than a building; it is dignity restored.”
The newly completed structure consists of a three-bedroom bungalow alongside seven self-contained apartments, offering improved living conditions, safety and long-term comfort for the family.
Dignitaries present at the event included the Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey; Chairman of Eket Local Government Area, Akan Tommy; the Village Head of Atabong, His Royal Majesty Ferdinand Ikwang; and Dr Essien Ndueso, Special Senior Assistant on Research and Documentation, alongside his wife, the spouse of the Paramount Ruler of Eket.
Community leaders praised the governor for what they described as a timely and humane intervention, noting that the rebuilding effort has strengthened public trust in government. Several speakers also pledged continued political support for Governor Eno ahead of future elections.
Residents of Atabong community said while memories of the devastating fire remain vivid, the rebuilt home now stands as a symbol of compassion, responsive leadership and renewed hope.
They added that the governor’s action has sent a strong message that victims of disasters are not abandoned once media attention fades.
Governor Eno’s intervention aligns with his broader social welfare agenda, which focuses on inclusive development, community support and targeted assistance for vulnerable groups across Akwa Ibom State.
As the family settles into their new home, the project serves as a reminder that governance, when driven by empathy, can change lives and rebuild futures long after tragedy strikes.
