Akpabio Celebrates Akwa Ibom at 39, Says Aspirations of Forebears Are Being Fulfilled
President of the Senate, Dr. Godswill Akpabio, has said the creation of Akwa Ibom State 39 years ago by the administration of former President Ibrahim Babangida was a fulfilment of the aspirations of the founding fathers of the state.
This was contained in a goodwill message by the Senate President to the government and people of the state on the 39th anniversary celebration of its creation, as issued in a statement by the Head of Information, Press and Public Relations, Office of the Senate President, EmemMaria Offiong.
The message, titled “Akwa Ibom at 39: Celebrating Our Journey, Building Our Future,” reads:
“On behalf of my family, the Senate and the entire National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I extend my warmest congratulations to His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, Governor of Akwa Ibom State, the Government and the good people of our dear State on the auspicious occasion of the 39th anniversary of its creation.
“Thirty-nine years ago the long-held aspiration of our forebears became reality with the creation of Akwa Ibom State. It was the fulfilment of a dream nurtured through years of sacrifice, advocacy, courage and an abiding faith in the capacity of our people to determine their destiny and build a prosperous homeland.
“Today, we remember with profound gratitude those illustrious sons and daughters whose vision and struggles helped to bring our State into being.
“From those modest beginnings, Akwa Ibom has grown into one of Nigeria’s most consequential States, distinguished by the industry, ingenuity, hospitality and resilience of its people.
“Across Nigeria and beyond our shores, Akwa Ibom sons and daughters continue to excel in public service, business, academia, the professions, the creative industries, sports and numerous other fields of human endeavour. Our greatest resource has always been our people.”
According to the former two-term governor of the state, “as one who had the privilege of serving this great State as Governor, I remain profoundly grateful for the opportunity our people gave me to contribute to its development.
“The years of Uncommon Transformation demonstrated what is possible when vision is matched by courage, when public resources are deployed for the public good, and when leadership refuses to accept yesterday’s limitations as the boundaries of tomorrow’s possibilities. The infrastructure, institutions and human-capital investments of that era were never ends in themselves; they were foundations upon which succeeding generations could continue to build.
“I therefore commend Governor Umo Eno for sustaining the journey of development through the ARISE Agenda and for his commitment to peace, rural development, economic advancement and the welfare of our people. The progress of Akwa Ibom must always rise above partisan considerations. Every generation of leaders has a duty to add another storey to the edifice handed down to it.”
The Senate President added: “At 39, our celebration must be accompanied by renewed determination. We must continue to build an Akwa Ibom where every child can dream without limitation; where enterprise and innovation flourish; where our young people find opportunities to translate their talents into prosperity; where our communities enjoy the dividends of development; and where peace, unity and mutual respect remain the foundations of our collective progress.
“As we approach the fourth decade of our State’s existence, let us remember the faith of those who fought for its creation and resolve to leave to those coming after us a State greater than the one we inherited. The task before us is not merely to celebrate how far we have travelled, but to imagine how much farther we can go.”
Akpabio wished the state and its people a happy 39th anniversary, saying, “Akwa Ibom is rising. And together, we shall continue to build a future worthy of the dreams of our founding fathers. God bless Akwa Ibom State.”
