A’Ibom @ 37th: Gov. Eno, Akpabio, Attah, others preach peace, unity at anniversary thanksgiving; Promise working together,
By Dennis Udoma, Uyo
Akwa Ibom State, created several years ago by then Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida turned 37th today, as the government and the people turned to God in thanksgiving yesterday.
At the commemoration service held at the International Worship Center in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital, past Governors and leaders jettisoned differences and poured encomiums and praises upon themselves for the giant milestones they have bequeathed to the state.
Governor Umo Eno, who led the pact during the occasion was quick to describe Akwa Ibom as a model state, and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to institutionalize peace and unity of the various interests and groups in the state, to ensure optimum growth and prosperity of the citizenry.
These sentiments the Governor expressed was tagged, “Peace Within Thy Walls and Prosperity Within Thy Palaces,” to mark the 37th anniversary of the State’s creation and Nigeria’s 64th independence anniversary was apt at the time.
Governor Eno, who expressed delight seeing leaders of the State from various shades sitting together to celebrate the State, and worship God Almighty as the keeper of all, thanked God for the peace in the State and paid glowing tributes to former Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida, for heeding the call of Akwa Ibom founding fathers to create the State 37 years ago, urging the present generation to prioritize their identity, as a people of common ancestry by being above divisive interests.
He asserted that, unity remains the way to go for Akwa Ibom, reiterating his determination to continuously pursue the peace and unity of the State, to the advantage of the people of the State and beyond.
The Governor assured continuous inclusive governance, work across party lines and to collaborate with the government at the centre and, past leaders of the State to enhance the potential of his administration in attracting the needed development to the people.
“For me, I came in peace, I came as a servant of the people and my greatest prayers is that, God who brought me at this time as a Pastor, not just a Pastor who is so called, but as a pastor who knows that I am the called of the Lord, will do and continue to do the work that He has sent me to do.
“The truth is, we share the same heritage, we share common humanity, we share common sense of service to the people, and we share a common heart. We have to stand by each other. That is the joy and the real spirit of Akwa Ibomites. That is the work that our founding fathers did 37 years ago.
“I would like to thank God for the privilege He has given us, and the heart He has given all our leaders, and seated here today is Akwa Ibom of Nigeria.
“The joy that we have today is that, we can have all our leaders come together under one roof to worship one God who has created Akwa Ibom State. We are here as Akwa Ibomites first, and we are bound by the love of our people to thank God that this state belongs to all of us. That’s my joy today and I believe that God who has began this work will complete it,” Governor Eno stated.
Also speaking, the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio represented by his wife, Mrs Ekaette Unoma Akpabio, conveyed the felicitations of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Assembly to the government and people of the State on the 37th anniversary, praying for continuous peace, unity and prosperity of the State.
Akpabio also commended the love and brotherhood that exist among the traditional rulers in the State, the State House of Assembly for the legislation to amend the Traditional Rulers Council Law, and most especially, Governor Eno for charting a path of peace for the State.
Another former Governor of the State, Architect (Obong) Victor Attah, also expressed delight in how fast and far Akwa Ibom State has grown from creation, and commended Governor Eno for his deliberate efforts at uniting the State, as he felicitated the people on the 37th anniversary of State creation.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Obong Emem Ekperikpe Ekpo equally expressed his sincere gratitude for the peace and unity that have been instituted in Akwa Ibom State, describing Governor Umo Eno as the best thing that has happened to the State.
The State Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, (CAN) Bishop Christian Nyong in his address, congratulated Governor Eno, and the generality of Akwa Ibom people over the numerous blessings on the state so far, in terms of good leadership, peace and multidimensional developments.
In a sermon, taken from Psalm 122:1-9, Rev Godwin Amaowoh of the Assemblies of God Church, described peace as a prerequisite for prosperity and development, admonishing Akwa Ibom people to be grateful for the peace and the indices of good governance in the State which, he said, has made the land attractive to many.
Amaowoh charged the people to eschew selfish ambitions, arrogant utterances and all forms of ungodly dispositions and rather promote the peace of the state, to attract more prosperity and abundant blessings.
Highpoint of the event was the reception and celebration of the 39 Akwa Ibom School students, who returned from the maiden edition of State Government sponsored education trip (ARISE Edu – Trip) for Akwa Ibom public Schools students’ in the rural areas to the United Kingdom (UK) recently.
