By Bassey Nkponam
IKOT EKPENE
In recognition of his exemplary governance disposition in the State, the Akwa Ibom governor was, Saturday, honoured with the Exemplary Leadership Award by the people of Akwa Ibom Northwest Senatorial District.
The award was bestowed on Pastor Umo Eno for his efforts in unifying the state through his bridge building disposition and the fraternal political relationship he has created among the people, having carried along all AkwaIbomitesin his administration, irrespective of party affiliation.
The honour on Eno came during a special reception ceremony in honour of the President of the 10th Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, who doubles as the senator representing Akwa Ibom Northwest in the National Assembly, which took place at the Ikot Ekpene Township Stadium.
Eno, while receiving the award, thanked the people of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District for the honour done him, saying that the award was a call for more work of uniting Akwa Ibom people, thanking the people of the senatorial district for coming together to organise the grand event.
He noted that the award was an appreciation of his governance disposition, and an endorsement of many more years of service as the state chief executive beyond 2027.
Eno conveyed the felicitations of the people and government of the State to the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, saying the reception in his honour was a statement to Nigerians that Akwa Ibom people in unity, are joyfully behind their own and that Akwa Ibom sons deserve to be celebrated.
He noted that as a minority in the federation, Akwa Ibom people cannot afford to be divided or trade the benefit that should follow the rare opportunity of having an indigene of the state in one of the highest offices in the nation, over political differences.
Eno said his presence at the event as governor of the State, conveys the wishes of government and people of the State on the occasion, saying, “when a man is celebrated at home, he will definitely be celebrated by outsiders and this is the statement Ikot Ekpene and indeed Akwa Ibom people have made today.”
The governor maintained that Akpabio’s ascension to the seat of Senate President is for all AkwaIbomitesto celebrate, reaffirming his avowed commitment to ensuring that all sons and daughters of the State that God has raised in their various fields of endeavours, and from different political parties, are continuously celebrated by their people, as they fly the Akwa Ibom flag and the Akwa Ibom blood runs in them.
The Senate President, Akpabio, was appreciative of the reception accorded him by the people of his senatorial district, and indeed, the entire state, describing it as a gesture he cannot take for granted.
He appreciated his colleagues at the National Assembly, the country’s President, Bola Tinubu, as well as his party, APC, for the support they gave him to emerge as President of the 10th Senate.
Akpabio described Eno, again, as a unifier and an apostle of peace and unity, pledging the support of the National Assembly to Eno to ensure the success of his administration.
The Senate President assured the governor, “The National Assembly will work with you for you to succeed as governor, irrespective of political party lines. You have received the federal government with smiles. We will receive you in Abuja with benefits of democracy for your people”.
Earlier, while presenting the Exemplary Leadership Award to the governor, the former Chief Judge of the State, Justice Godwin Abraham, said the award was in recognition of Eno’s efforts in unifying the state through his bridge building disposition.
Abraham, who chaired the event, described as unique and commendable, the fraternal political relationship the governor has created among the people.
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