Umo Eno At Yoruba Tennis Club

Umo Eno, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, delivered a speech on August 8th to commemorate the centenary of the Yoruba Tennis Club (YTC) in Lagos. The YTC, founded in 1926 by 25 young Nigerians, was created to provide sporting, recreational, and social facilities for Nigerians excluded from facilities owned by British colonial authorities. Today, the club boasts over 2,000 members and is considered one of Lagos’ most prestigious social clubs, alongside Ikoyi Club and Ikeja Country Club.

During his speech, Governor Eno highlighted the significance of the YTC as an institution that has remained open to Nigerians of every origin, embodying the values of honesty, integrity, and industry established by its founding fathers. The governor emphasized that democracies worldwide are currently facing numerous challenges, including economic pressures, insecurity, climate shocks, youth unemployment, technological disruption, and erosion of public trust.

He argued that for democratic nations to rebuild, leaders must preserve and make democracy meaningful by prioritizing quality governance, participation, transparency, accountability, equity, and the rule of law.

Governor Eno outlined his administration's approach to achieving these goals through the ARISE Agenda, which focuses on investments in education, health, youth empowerment, infrastructure, and compassionate homes. He ended the lecture with a question-and-answer session addressing concerns from club members regarding investments in the state, the construction of the new Ibom International Hospital, and the maintenance of integrity in governance.

The YTC provided a platform for Governor Eno to share his vision with the audience, which included government officials, politicians, business leaders, and members of the Akwa Ibom community in Lagos.