… says A’Ibom remains united for Tinubu, Akpabio, others
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has commended all past leaders of the State for their remarkable contributions to its consistent development.
Speaking at a Special Banquet to mark the 38th anniversary of the State’s creation, Governor Eno said 38 years down the line, the State has metamorphosed from a seemingly obscure area to a destination of choice.
He noted that the current state of development would not have been possible without the efforts of all its past leaders, stressing that God has blessed the State with great and progressive-minded leaders.
The Governor also appreciated Akwa Ibom stakeholders and indeed all its citizens for their love and commitment to the Akwa Ibom project.
“We want to continue to thank our political leaders. When I turn around and see my party, the All Progressives Congress, the Peoples Democratic Party, and all other political leaders sit together in unity, and as we said on Sunday, ‘how good and how pleasant.’ When you read that scripture down, the Bible says, ‘for there, God commands his blessings.’
“Where there is no peace or unity, there can never be a blessing. There can never be progress because everyone would be fighting to sustain himself or herself. We thank God for all of you.
“This afternoon, I had the privilege of having a meeting with all former deputy governors, thanking them for their service and contributions to our statehood.
“We will continue to look forward to a brighter future, and I trust that as we have gathered on behalf of 7.9 million Akwa Ibomites, we would resolve to continue to do our very best to unite our State in spite of our political differences. Let politics be played with a human face and let us know that after politics, we would all return as Akwa Ibomites,” he added.
The Governor took out time to celebrate an Akwa Ibom son, Mayor Jason Jackson, who is the Mayor of Islington, United Kingdom, saying that the State was proud of his achievement and would continue to celebrate sons and daughters who have made impacts in their chosen careers.
Governor Eno, who since his assumption of office has been intentional about celebrating Akwa Ibomites on their milestones, also recognized and celebrated ACG Dan Samuel Okon, mni, who was recently promoted to Assistant Commandant General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, National Headquarters, Abuja, and presented him with a brand-new car to aid his mobility.
He appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his efforts at repositioning Nigeria and also commended the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, whom he said would have been in attendance but for some late engagement outside the State.
“I won’t leave here tonight without thanking our President, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Regardless of the hardships that we are going through, we all would agree that we are beginning to have stability, and this President is working hard.
“Standing here as a Governor tonight, I can tell you that whatever little achievement God has helped us to achieve, Akwa Ibom has not borrowed any money. This is because this President is making funding available to State Governors. At least I can say so for myself as a Governor.
“So I continue to pray, and Akwa Ibomites pray, that God will keep him in good health and that God would keep strengthening him so that he will continue to pilot the affairs of the country. Akwa Ibom is united for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we are united for Senator Godswill Akpabio, and we are united for Umo Eno and all our would-be candidates,” he said.
In his remarks, the first Military Administrator of the State, Col. Tunde Ogbeha (retd.), expressed delight over the commendable pace of development of a State he nurtured at birth in 1987 and described the State as the benchmark of progress and development in Nigeria.
He congratulated Akwa Ibom people for supporting the growth of the State for the past 38 years and applauded successive leaders for their selfless sacrifices and positive contributions towards realizing the vision of the founding fathers of the State.
Also speaking, the State Chairman of the APC, Obong Stephen Ntukekpo, commended the Governor for being mindful of the Akwa Ibom project through his unwavering commitment to peace and unity of the State.
On his part, the Chairman of the PDP, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Akpan, appreciated the Governor for bringing everyone together, adding that though he had moved progressively, the PDP has reasons to keep moving with him, especially as it is the party that gave birth to him and gave him the platform to achieve unprecedented development strides.
Earlier in his tone-setting, the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, appreciated the Governor for holding the State firmly on the path of sustainable growth and thanked Akwa Ibom people for supporting the vision of the Governor and encouraging peace and development which, according to him, has distinguished the State among its contemporaries.
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