Akwa Ibom State governor, Umo Eno has reminisced with pride how the state which he described as a “glorified village” had grown in leaps and bounds thirty eight years after its’ creation.
Akwa Ibom was created in 1987 by the then Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, GCFR (rtd).
In his broadcast text on Tuesday, marking the 38th anniversary of the state’s creation, Governor Eno noted that Akwa Ibom has become the nation’s best kept secret, commending successive governments for being intentional in the progressive development of the state.
According to him, “Thirty-eight years ago, this state, especially the Capital City of Uyo, was for all intents and purposes, a glorified village – a rural backwater bereft of modern infrastructure. Today, thirty-eight years later, our State has become the destination of choice, the nation’s best kept secret.
“In place of dusty narrow streets, some of which looked like bush tracks, we now have possibly the best road network in the nation. Our people, long thought to be mostly good at performing domestic chores, have all arisen and are holding commanding positions across the world in various professions. Uyo today is home to some of the most elegant housing estates in the nation. A thriving airline, Ibom Air, carries our flag of excellence in the nation’s aviation sector – signposting our ascendancy in that sector.
“In sports, we are the official FIFA and CAF designated host of World Cup and African Cup football matches. All over the State, the energy is infectious, our people are hopeful, and the sunny disposition on what the future holds is palpable. Our economic fundamentals are strong and resilient as we ARISE together to build a golden future that unlocks our potentials. Let me at this time pay my glowing tributes to all our past Governors.”
While reeling out some live touching projects and programmes in all sectors which his administration has implemented, governor Eno said the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike would be commissioning the 15.13km Ikot Otomo–Azumini Road and other internal roads in Ika Local Government Area of the state.
The governor, therefore, sought the cooperation of the people promising to bring more dividends of democracy.
‘As the political season unfolds, I urge us not to allow the flaming passion of politics to divide us. Elections will come and go, but the Akwa Ibom spirit of love and brotherhood will remain. We are running Akwa Ibom United across party lines. I urge our leaders and stakeholders not to engage in spreading damaging or inflammatory rhetoric, but to “ rise beyond ethnicity” and “ build with love our promise land” as our State Anthem has so greatly enjoined us to.” He added.
