By Bassey Nkponam
UYO
As Akwa Ibom celebrates its 38 years as a state, citizens and residents have been urged to rise above divisions, embrace forgiveness, and work together for the common good of the state.
The state governor, Pastor Umo Eno, who made the call during a special inter-denominational thanksgiving service to mark the 38th anniversary celebration of the state’s creation at the International Christian Worship Centre, Uyo, Sunday, themed, “Behold How Good and How Pleasant,” drawn from Psalm 133:1-3.
The governor urged the people to forgive one another and eschew unnecessary acrimony capable of truncating the peace and unity of the State, while also emphasising the need for Akwa Ibomites to remain united, do away with the spirit of fighting and bond together in love, as they have no other State outside Akwa Ibom.
The governor, who led critical stakeholders and the generality of Akwa Ibom people to the service, urged citizens to show patriotism, plan collectively for the common good, and eschew actions capable of dividing the State.
He emphasized the importance of sustained unity and collective efforts amongst citizens and residents of the State in driving the progress and growth of the State.
“Let’s come together in love, forgive one another and let us move together. Let us plan and work for the common good of our state. That is my earnest desire. When I see people come together like this, irrespective of political parties, it gives me joy. Every patriotic citizen should be interested in the state,show some patriotism. That is what I think this unity is about.
“Let us rise above ethnicity. This is a clarion call; Rise above Ethnicity, rise above parochialism, deep seated hatred. You will not have any other state apart from this one. We have only one united Akwa Ibom. I took over a united State of Akwa Ibom, and such shall I handover, nothing shall divide us,” he said.
He lauded past leaders of the state for their contributions to the growth and development of the State and urged all citizens to join hands in building a stronger, more united Akwa Ibom, while affirming his commitment to continuously collaborate with past leaders, show respect for their services and honour their legacies.
Eno acknowledged the great sense of unity, maturity and understanding shown by the leadership of the various political parties in the State, and also appreciated past leaders and stakeholders for turning up for the event.
He thanked the people for their steadfastness, support and unwavering belief in the State to achieve greater impact and reminded the people of the ongoing INEC voters’ registration, urging them to get registered in readiness for the elections when the time comes.
Eno pledged continued support for all efforts in the interest of the State, while soliciting support for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and himself in 2027, as has been the norm.
He appreciated the guest speaker, Archbishop Emma Isong, for his impactful message and also appreciated all religious leaders for their support and prayers, saying, “It is on the wings of those prayers that God is helping us; and it is by the spirit himself that the State is being governed.”
He further tasked the management of the International Christian Worship Centre to ensure proper maintenance and completion of outstanding works at the facility, and announced a Unity Concert scheduled for December 5, 2025 as part of the anniversary celebrations.
The minister of state for petroleum (gas), Obongemem Ekperikpe Ekpo, thanked God for blessing Akwa Ibom with a man of peace as governor, saying, the governor has done well, and so, deserves a second term.
In his goodwill message on behalf of former governors of the state, Col. Yakubu Bako, (rtd), felicitated the state on the 38th anniversary, saying, Akwa Ibom was one of the few states that have established continuity in leadership, and lauded Eno for maintaining same.
Bako also acknowledged the contributions of all past leaders and especially the incumbent, Eno, to the development of the state, which has been transformed from a glorified local government to a destination of choice for Nigerians.
The deputy governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, who spoke on behalf of women, described Eno as the “most gender-friendly governor in the country,” and praised his gender-inclusive policies.
Senator Ekong Sampson, who represented the National Assembly Caucus, assured of continued partnership between the caucus and the state government, noting that Eno has performed creditably and that Akwa Ibom has made significant progress under his leadership.
Chairman, Akwa Ibom Traditional Rulers Council, Odidem Bassey Etim Edet, who spoke on behalf of the President General, Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers, Nteyin Solomon Etuk and all the royal fathers, praised Eno for working selflessly to better the lots of the people and the state, praying God to continue to imbue him with more grace and wisdom.
Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Akwa Ibom chapter, Bishop Christian Nyong, who tagged his message: “Stronger as One,” applauded Eno for the strides recorded so far and for his partnership with the church, praying God to continuously uphold Akwa Ibom State.
Ministering on the theme, Isong observed that Akwa Ibom was mature enough at 38 years to arise to the faith of greatness.
Isong, who is the National Vice President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), South South, reinforced the message of unity and respect for constituted authority, warning that “pulling down the head can only bring down the structure,” as there can only be one head at a time.
He said for the state to actualise its vision of living together in unity, its citizens must imbibe the spirit of respect and support for leadership, maturity, forgiveness, and also eschew ungodly secret plots against leadership and against one another.
The service, which saw the coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, taking the only Bible reading from Psalm 133:1-3, featured praise and worship sessions, choir ministrations and prayers.
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