BY DENNIS UDOMA, Uyo
Akwa Ibom United Forum for Peace and Stability, an advocacy organization, has described former Governor Udom Emmanuel as a professional in politics, whose wealth of experience in corporate governance has engendered hope as exhibited in his focused governance for next generation.
The Forum Chairman, Dr. Wilson Akpan disclosed this at the annual thanksgiving and general meeting of the group held on Monday in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.
He said, the former governor who preceeded the state affairs between 2015 and 2023 left behind a strong legacy of good governance in all sectors of the state’s economy.
According to him, “Mr. Emmanuel is a professional in politics and his landmark achievements cut across aviation, job creation and infrastructure development amongst others.
“Mr. Udom Emmanuel did so much with the establishment of Ibom Air which has become one of the biggest airlines in Nigeria and the West Africa sub – region by opening up the economy of the state to the out side world.”
Secretary of the group, Chief Okon Emmanuel also said, “part of the former governor’s landmark achievements in Akwa Ibom included; the restoration of Akwa Ibom State by putting it on the right track; re – constructed the airport road from the aerodrome directly to the city center; build infrastructure across the state”.
He said, Mr. Emmanuel was one of the few governors that invested heavily in the establishment of industries such as the syringe industry which is the biggest in Africa and the Flour Mill amongst others.
On education, he said , Chief Okon maintained that, “Udom Emmanuel’s administration further made education free and compulsory for all residents in Akwa Ibom, while also investing in ensuring a peaceful state by building strong relationship with the people and the security agencies.”
Others who also spoke on the development mantra of past administration of the governor was an aviation expert, Udoh Etefom, who commended the intervention of the former governor in the aviation sector.
“The former governor during his tenure made Akwa Ibom State very attractive to investors.
“The people of Akwa Ibom and indeed Nigerians are very happy that Udom Emmanuel left a strong legacy in the aviation industry. This singular act promoted Akwa Ibom to the international community. It also brought relief to the people in terms of being able to fly out of the state to their destination of choice.
“Mr Emmanuel united Akwa Ibom people. Akwa Ibom, today, is peaceful by the virtue of what he put on ground. He is a detribalised Nigerian whose believe in the unity of Nigeria by fellowshipping with others across regions.
“Udom, a committed Christian and lover of God, supported the kingdom project by building the biggest worship center in the stste and the people of the State would continue to celebrate his legacies”.
