Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, said motive behind the legislation for the establishment of Betting and Lottery Regulatory Agency is aimed at regulating the operators, protect residents from fraudulent activities and ensure compliance with the law.
He added that in as much as he does not encourage betting as a pastor, he believes in law and order.
This was contained in a statement made available by the Government House Media Unit, Uyo, on Wednesday, July 29, 2026.
“As a pastor, I believe in law and order. I do not encourage betting, but where it exists, it must be properly regulated,” the governor said.
The statement said the governor has so far signed 14 Executive Bills into law for the actualisation and sustainability of his administration’s ARISE Agenda.
The new laws according to the statement include: the establishment of the Akwa Ibom State Geographical Information Service (AKWA – GIS), the Senior Citizens Centre, Hotels and Tourism Development Commission, and the Ibom Broadcasting Corporation.
Others include: establishment of the Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance Systems Agency, the Public Procurement Regulatory Agency, the Fiscal Responsibility Board, the Internal Revenue Service, the Office of the Public Defender, the Water Users Association and the University of Education, Afaha Nsit.
The statement added that Governor Eno has concluded plans to redeploy medical doctors serving in administrative roles back into clinical practice.
According to the statement, prolonged absence from medical practice could adversely affect service delivery and patient safety.
‘As a pastor, I don’t encourage betting but I believe in order’ – Gov Eno