Date Published: 06/06/11

Akpabio declares war on poverty, underdevelopment

Gov Godswill Akpabio (l) swearing-in Mr Umana Okon Umana as Secretary to Government of Akwa Ibom State, June 6, 2011

Governor Godswill Obot Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State says he has declared war on poverty and underdevelopment in his state, as part of his second term agenda.

While swearing-in the Secretary to State Government, Mr Umana Okon Umana on June 6, 2011, the governor said the attack on poverty would be tireless and unrelenting.

“In the first term in office, I stated that I was tackling development with anger, but I have declared war on underdevelopment and poverty in our state. The march for development shall be relentless and our war aim is to do all within our powers to fast track Akwa Ibom’s development,” he said.

The governor stated his resolve to strengthen the bond of trust between the Akwa Ibom people and the Government through embarking on life-changing developmental programmes and policies.

“Secondly, we are committed to keep working tirelessly to empower our people and improve their welfare through social welfare and economic policies designed to achieve these objectives”. He also talked about his government’s determination to take advantage of revolutionary ideas , which will soon turned Akwa Ibom into a destination in Nigerian and the industrial hub of the Gulf of Guinea. Akpabio said Umana, an Ibibio man from Uyo Senatorial District, having served creditably in the first term, was the most suitable for the office since he understood the goals and shared in the passion of his government.

Despite the avalanche of sentiments and applications he received from other reputable sons of the state, the governor said he had no difficulty deciding in Umana’s favour because he was a technocrat with team spirit. “He did a wonderful job in the last four years and we are full of expectation that he would do even better in the next four years”, the governor said.

Describing Umana as an administrator with exce3ptional strength, ability and vision, Akpabio also lauded the SSG on his exceptional display of “integrity and honesty”, adding that “the depth of his understanding of policies and their backgrounds proved vital in our administrative efforts”.

Akpabio then urged Akwa Ibom people to uphold the SSG in their thoughts and prayers as his office was demanding.

Responding on behalf of Uyo Senatorial District, Senator Anietie Okon, paid glowing tributes to Governor Akpabio for taking decisions that unite the state.

He said Akpabio’s detribalized nature and actions were in consonance with the intent of the founding fathers of the state. “You are walking in the same step; the same narrow path that inspired them to sow the seed for the growth of our people today…we have rallied behind you not because of any inducement but for what you have done in the state”, he told the governor.

Okon said Akpabio has raised the bar in leadership and by his selfless actions buried “those who ventured to introduce politics of hatred and division; politics that offered nothing rather than the selfishness of exclusiveness, so that they can have all to themselves”