Gov Eno Emerges Africa’s Safety Leader of the Year at AfriSAFE 2026

Gov Eno Emerges Africa’s Safety Leader of the Year at AfriSAFE 2026

By Goodness Ekpang

Uyo (Core Reporters) – Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has emerged Africa’s Safety Leader of the Year, winning the 2026 AfriSAFE Government Safety Leadership Award after competing against more than 5,000 entries from 42 African countries.

The prestigious continental award recognises the Eno administration’s commitment to institutionalising workplace safety and strengthening occupational health and safety standards across Akwa Ibom State.

The award, organised by HSENations International, was initially received on behalf of the Governor on November 6 by his Senior Special Assistant on Health, Safety and Environment, Mrs Jayne Ufot, at the AfriSAFE Awards ceremony held at Labadi Beach Hotel, Accra, Ghana.

It was formally presented to Governor Eno on Wednesday at the EXCO Chambers, Government House, Uyo.

Presenting the award, Ufot explained that the Governor’s emergence followed a competitive selection process in which his administration’s safety initiatives across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), as well as the ARISE School initiatives, earned him continental recognition.

She identified the establishment of a dedicated occupational safety department within the state civil service as one of the administration’s major achievements in promoting workplace safety.

According to her, the initiative represents a significant step towards integrating safety practices into public administration and ensuring safer working environments across government establishments.

Ufot further explained that AfriSAFE, an African safety organisation supported by international occupational health and safety institutions, recognises outstanding leadership and institutional contributions to improving safety standards across the continent.

Responding, Governor Eno dedicated the award to the people of Akwa Ibom State and expressed appreciation to the organisers for recognising the state’s commitment to workplace safety.

He noted that Akwa Ibom had distinguished itself as the only sub-national government in the region to institutionalise occupational safety within its civil service through the establishment of a dedicated department.

The Governor, however, stressed that the recognition should serve as a motivation for greater commitment to safety standards rather than a reason for complacency.

He urged Ministries, Departments and Agencies to provide adequate support to their safety officers to enable them to identify workplace hazards, address safety deficiencies and promote public safety awareness.

Governor Eno specifically directed safety officers across government establishments to conduct regular safety audits, assess existing workplace conditions and recommend practical measures to prevent accidents and other potential hazards.

As part of efforts to consolidate the achievement, the Governor approved the hosting of a Public Safety Week in 2027.

He explained that the initiative would provide ministries and other government establishments with an opportunity to conduct comprehensive safety audits, assess compliance levels and implement measures to improve workplace safety across the state.

The recognition further underscores Akwa Ibom State’s growing commitment to institutional reforms and the promotion of safer working environments across public institutions.