Date Published: 07/16/09

Akwa Ibom indigenes abroad laud Akpabio on development

Impressed with the current spread of development across their state, Akwa Ibom indigenes in Diaspora have risen in overwhelming commendation of their governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio, saying he was “truly making the difference”

Operating under the aegis of Akwa Ibom State Association of Nigeria, New York, (USA), the people said their governor deserves “a special trophy” for spearheading massive people-oriented programmes that have transformed the landscape of the state.

Thus, at the 2009 Interactive Charity and Appreciation Dinner held on June 26, the body put up  an admirable show of positive reception in honour of Governor Akpabio.

According to the organisers, they were most impressed by the governor’s sensitivity to the plights of the masses as well as his focus, especially the introduction of free and compulsory education policy in the state. To show appreciation, they gave him an award entitled: “Making the Difference”!

The administration has so far taken on the construction  of more than 400 km of roads valued at over N180bn have been awarded in the State in the last two years.

Akpabio, they said, deserved praises “for his commitment and leadership; his vigorous pursuit of programs and activities aimed at providing basic education for Akwa Ibom youth, and for accelerating the pace of infrastructural and rural development in Akwa Ibom State”.

Governor Akpabio had last year, while attending the convention organised by AKISAN in the United States, announced his government’s plan to introduce free, compulsory and qualitative education scheme at both the primary and secondary school levels in the state.

However, many sceptics had dismissed the announcement as cheap political proclamations that would never see the light of day.

So far, Akpabio has spent N7billion per school calendar year to sustain the programme; while he has spent more than  N344.8 million on subventions to public schools for the first and second terms.

In addition, to further show his commitment to educational development, over N 375.4m has been paid as NECO/SSCE Examination registration fees for all candidates in Public Secondary Schools and science equipment worth N188m have been distributed to schools, among other things.

Apart from the tourism and economic programmes which Akpabio has initiated, AKISAN was also impressed at the massive rural transformation, which they noted, has been spread evenly across the state.