Former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani Kayode has described his
visits across the country as a fact-finding assessment meant to evolve
strategies that could help solve the country’s challenges.
He has again apologized over the media outburst in Calabar, Cross River
State, saying it is an action he regrets.
Speaking at a media chat to mark the end of his visit to Akwa Ibom
State, Kayode said he was very impressed with the strides of Governor
Udom Emmanuel in Akwa Ibom State.
Chief Kayode who was emphatic on his source of funding for the tour
said, “I am not being bankrolled by anyone. If I am being funded for
this fact-finding mission, I won’t be able to have a mind of my own.”
The former presidential spokesperson said the visit is a personal
sacrifice that he has no regret undertaking.
“Akwa Ibom has really impressed me. I want to say this, you are blessed
to have a Governor in the mould of Mr. Udom Emmanuel.”
“Governor Udom Emmanuel has attracted massive investments into Akwa Ibom
State, you can only achieve that if you have an enabling environment.
Gov Emmanuel is focused and a very disciplined professional.
Stressing that the visit was his first-ever, he maintained that, “I have
never been to Akwa Ibom before but what I have witnessed since I came in
has been mindblowing. The state is not only very beautiful but truly
blessed.”
The PDP chieftain whose recent outburst against a journalist in Cross
River State sparked uproar in the media circle expressed regrets for the
action, saying it was not worth coming from a leader.
“I very much regret the Cross-River State incident, I let my anger
becloud my better judgment. I deeply regret my actions on that day. My
response was disproportionate and unacceptable, that is why I had to
apologize to my family, friends, and the Media world.
“No leader should ever be found wanting on such. I have reached out to
the person in question and I am still reaching out to him again in love
personally to say I deeply regret my actions towards him on that very
day.
Kayode had taken a tour of projects located in Akwa Ibom for two days
and holds an impression that “Governor Udom Emmanuel has done
exceedingly well.”
He told journalists that, “the projects I have seen on the ground are
all world-class and very modern.
“Today, I’ve been to various parts of Akwa-Ibom state and I’m amazed by
what I’ve seen in this state.
This is not a question of propaganda it’s a question of infrastructural
development and I must say that Akwa-Ibom state is blessed to have a
Governor like Gov. Udom Emmanuel.”
He also lauded Governor Udom Emmanuel for the fight to stop cultism in
Akwa Ibom and the general peace enjoyed within the state.
“I also must state emphatically that the security situation of this
state is top-notch, let me openly say that the Governor of Akwa-Ibom
state has fought cultism in this state and this had contributed majorly
to the peace in this state. It is not the case with many states I’ve
been to, I must commend Gov. Udom Emmanuel on this”
He listed the projects he visited to include the King’s Flour Mill which
produces 500 Tons of Flour, Jubilee Syringe which produces 400m syringes
a year, a coconut oil factory that Process 300,000 coconuts a day and
the Lions Plywood/Timber Factory.
While lauding other projects like the Ibom Air which currently has 5
aircraft in its fleet, the new International Terminal Building being
executed by the Government and the 21 Storey Tower built by the
government for multinational companies, Chief Fani Kayode explained
that the Innovations in the health care sector which have led to
remodeling and reequipping of over 7 new General hospitals to
world-class standards.
“These hospitals were furnished with modern equipment from the best
producers worldwide. With the containers of the equipment safely in the
state, it was possible for the Governor, during the COVID 19 lockdown
period, to establish a new PSR laboratory and Isolation Center which
have all contributed to making the state less negatively affected by the
pandemic.
“The network of roads to open up the state for investments. I am told
that across the entire 31 LGAs, no local government is left untouched by
at least one major expressway by this administration.
“The new 18,000 capacity Stadium in Eket from where I was able to also
spot the towering ultramodern market,” he added.