A’Ibom @ 37: Governor Eno, Akpabio, Ors Preach, Peace, Unity at State Anniversary Service
Akwa Ibom State has been described as a model State in Nigeria by its Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, who reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to institutionalizing peace and unifying the various interests in the state, to ensure optimum benefit for the citizenry.
These sentiments were expressed by the Governor at a special interdenominational thanksgiving service, with theme “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, at the International Worship Centre, Uyo,
Governor Umo Eno, while expressing delight in seeing Akwa Ibom leaders of various shades sit together to celebrate the State and worship God Almighty who, he said, has been the keeper of all, thanked God for the peace in the State and paid tributes to former Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida, for heeding the call of Akwa Ibom’s founding fathers to create the State 37 years ago, urging the present generation to prioritize their identity as a people of a common ancestry by being above divisive interests.
The Governor 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.
He assured continuous inclusive governance, work across party lines and to collaborate with the government at the centre and with past leaders of the State to enhance the potential of his administration in getting 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 the 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,” he added.
The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, represented by his wife, Mrs Ekaette Unoma Akpabio, conveyed the felicitations of the President, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Assembly to the government and people of Akwa Ibom State on the 37th anniversary, praying for continuous peace, unity and prosperity of the State.
He 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.
Former Governor of the State, Architect Victor Attah, also speaking, expressed delight in how fast and far the 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 States 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 thus far, in terms of good leadership, peace and the several, and multidimensional developments.
In a sermon, culled 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 seek to promote the peace of the state, to attract more prosperity and abundant blessings to the State.
Highpoint of the event was the reception and celebration of 39 Akwa Ibom children who returned from the maiden edition of the State Government sponsored education trip for Akwa Ibom public schools students in the rural areas (ARISE Edutrip) to the United Kingdom.
