“Happy Hour’ is About Balance, Not Booze, Clarifies Umo Eno

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has dismissed claims that his administration allocated billions for a “Happy Hour” initiative, saying the phrase has been widely misunderstood.

Speaking on Arise Television on Friday, Eno explained that his reference to “Happy Hour” was about finding balance between hard work and relaxation—not government-funded drinking sessions.

“It was taken completely out of context,” the governor said.

“For me, happy hour means that after working tirelessly, you take a moment to refresh and relax.

“It doesn’t have to involve alcohol. You can have happy hour in church, at the park, or even with your family.”

The governor laughed off reports suggesting N18 billion had been earmarked for the initiative, calling them baseless.

“What kind of happy hour is that? I don’t have such a subhead in my budget,” he said.

Eno, who was teased by the show’s host as the “happy governor,” embraced the label. “I am happy, and Akwa Ibom is a happy state. We are happy people,” he said.

The “Happy Hour” phrase first gained attention during Eno’s 2023 campaign and has since resurfaced in online debates.

But the governor insists the idea was never about excess, rather about encouraging citizens to celebrate achievements and maintain a healthy work-life balance.