By Godswill Akpabio
My dear people of Akwa Ibom State, today marks the 25th anniversary since our dear state was created by the administration of military President Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida on 23rd September, 1987. on that eventful day wild jubilation from our kith and kin across the globe heralded the announcement of the new states of Katsina and Akwa Ibom.
Before Nigeria attained independence on October 1, 1960, our forefathers were the first set of citizens to clamour for state creation under the auspices of the COR state movement – Calabar, Ogoja and Rivers etc.
When states were eventually created in 1967, ours was not included. But, as proof that faith is eternal and dreams imperishable, twenty-five years ago, and 27 years after Nigeria’s independence, God made manifest the dreams of our forefathers. The news of the creation of Akwa Ibom State came like the joy of child birth to all Akwa Ibom people at home and in the Diaspora. From one end of the state to the other, joy spread like a carnival.
We have come a long way from that momentous day. We have crossed many bridges and many rivers. But, today, I urge you never to forget that magic moment, that historic moment when we stood together as a people united in joy and happiness. We must never allow our differences to divide us. We must remain united in the pursuit of development and a better life for our children and future generations.
It is fitting that this particular occasion is coming at a time when our state has become the cynosure of all eyes in our country. It is coming at a time when you can proudly declare anywhere in our country that you come from Akwa Ibom and you would be respected. It is coming at a time when we are, indeed, living the dreams of our fathers.
This silver jubilee is, therefore, a time to look back and thank every person who contributed to the success story that sums up the akwa ibom of today. It is a time to pay tribute to our founding fathers, who had the vision for this state. It is time for us to appreciate our past leaders for their contributions to the development of our state. Let us also appreciate the traditional institutions, the public and private sectors, and, indeed, all akwa ibom people who have labored to make our dear state what it is today.
This is also a time for stocktaking. Five years ago, I made a proposition to the good people of our dear state that it was possible for God’s will to be done in God’s own state. You accepted that proposition and gave me the mandate to be your Governor with very bold and ambitious vision. I am happy to report to you today that what we have achieved in the last five years has made this silver jubilee a celebrative milestone in our journey to greatness.
My dear people, the last five years could best be described as the icing on the cake of our silver jubilee. We have consolidated on the dreams of our forebears to the glory of God.
Our joy justifiably overflows as achievements for our people stand in shining splendor. Our free and compulsory education policy has already received global commendations and has become a benchmark in visionary leadership. We have used the programme to give hope to the hopeless in our society.
As part of activities marking this epochal anniversary, the vice president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Arc. Namadi Sambo, GCON, yesterday commissioned the ultra-modern Accountant General’s office at the Idongesit Nkanga Secretariat and 15 sub-treasury headquarters in 15 local government areas; the fourth fly-over bridge along the third ring road, Uyo/Abak road by Federal Secretariat; the second underground pipe-jacking drainage project at Abak; and the Ikot Ekpene city centre plaza. These projects were by no means all that we could have commissioned but they were all the Vice President had time to commission in his short trip.
Other projects like the 20th Anniversary Hospital, a world class tertiary health institution, are at an advanced stages of completion; so also is the Tropicana Entertainment Centre which hotel facility under construction is on the 14th floor and its Cineplex is already a star attraction in the city of Uyo.
The new Governor’s office has been completed within one year and it is also at the verge of being commissioned, while work on the eight-lane ring road is at an advanced stage of completion. Work is also on-going at the 35,000 capacity Olympic-size Stadium, Uyo.
At Ibom International Airport, the new international terminal building, the second runway and hangars for private jets are under construction. Work is also on-going in the construction of the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul facility.
Let me also report that since our last anniversary celebration we have commissioned numerous projects, some of which include the dualized Aka-Nung Udoe Ibesikpo road, with one of the largest roundabouts in Nigeria; the Ikot Ekpene prison and correctional facility; state-of-the-art banquet hall, the e-library and over 717 rural projects spread across the state.
We are also glad to report that we have achieved over 87 percent electricity coverage, linking more than 1,500 communities to the national grid, thus surpassing both the national average of 20 per cent and the African record of less than ten per cent coverage.
Our programme in the agricultural sector is designed to ensure food security as well as empowerment. There is accelerated livestock and fish production programme; we have also trained and empowered thousands of our youths in agriculture through the integrated farmers’ scheme. There is also the women Agriculture Development and Entrepreneurship Programme (WADEP) where thousands of our women are trained in commercial agriculture and empowered with interest-free loans of n250,000 each to purchase seedlings.
We have tackled housing problem in the state aggressively and our aim is to complete the construction of 10,000 modern and affordable houses within the next few years across the state. At the moment, two thousand of these houses located at Uyo, Ikot Ekpene and Eket will soon be commissioned. Similarly, in partnership with our local government councils, thirty-one numbered security estates have been completed. We have also built a brand new governor’s office, which is now ready for commissioning.
Twenty-five years after, we have reasons to thank god – our schools are bustling with pupils and students, courtesy of our free and compulsory education programme.
Five brand new cottage hospitals have been built and added to the renovated and existing ones. Our women, children and the aged are enjoying free medical services.
We have completed the Ibom Power Plant, dualized thoroughfares with streetlights and well-paved roads in our capital, Uyo, while there are ongoing road projects in other local government areas. We have created access to the state through the completion of the first phase of Ibom International Airport.
Our people also have access to tertiary education through the commencement of the Akwa Ibom State University. In the same vein we have encouraged tourism with the best golf course at Le’ Meriden hotel and golf resort, and built a brand new Governor’s lodge with many guest houses, we have also added a brand new governor’s office, many school blocks, private sector-driven gas processing plant at Esit Eket, improved legislation for good governance such as the abolition of stigmatization of children as witches and wizards by adults through the child rights and protection law and the anti-kidnapping and terrorism law which prescribes severe punishment for offenders, improved labour relations with the best welfare package in the country. More importantly, we have developed a much closer relationship with God Almighty through daily worships, interdenominational services, pilgrimages and partnership with religious organizations.
Indeed, God in turn has turned our captivity into joy. A once pedestrian state has become a choice destination for national and international conferences. Congratulations to all Akwa Ibom people at 25!
May this silver jubilee celebration usher into our state love, peace and unity.
I enjoin all our indigenes and residents alike to use this special moment to pray for the peace and security of our dear country, Nigeria.
Once again, I congratulate all Akwa Ibom people on this silver jubilee celebration of the creation of our dear state.
Thank you and God bless Akwa Ibom State.
(Text Of An Address Delivered By The Executive Governor Of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio, Con, On The Occasion Of The 25th Anniversary Of The Creation Of Akwa Ibom State – Courtesy Ministry Of Information & Government House Press, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State).