… Urges Citizens To Imbibe Genuine Sportsmanship Spirit In Game Of Politics
By Bassey Nkponam
UYO
The governor of Akwa Ibom has urged citizens of the State to imbibe the spirit of genuine sportsmanship in the game of politics.
Pastor Umo Eno, who gave the charge on Friday, in Uyo, in his 3rd Anniversary broadcast tagged, “Promises Made and Promises Fulfilled, Onward to Arise 2.0”, presented to Akwa Ibom people, noted that politics will come and go but the spirit and bond of brotherhood will remain unbroken by the temporary passion of partisan politics.
Eno urged the people to play politics of ideas and not one of name-calling or character assassination, as the political season commences, saying, “Let us imbibe the spirit of genuine sportsmanship in the game of politics. Politics, as I said in my inaugural address, will come and go but the spirit and bond of our brotherhood will remain unbroken by the temporary passion of partisan politics.
“As the political season commences, I urge our people to play politics of ideas and not one of name-calling or character assassination.
“We have kept the peace in our State because no single life is worth shedding for anyone’s political ambition.
“I had promised you that I will be the Governor for all Akwa Ibomites and so far, I have by the Grace of God kept my word on that score.
“Today, our political slogan is Akwa Ibom United and as we go to the polls next year, we will remain united, secure in our belief that an injury to one is an injury to all.
“I came as a peacemaker and I will, by the Grace of God leave office in 2031, as a peacemaker.
“I will continue to pastor Akwa Ibom State with the fear of God and the leading of the Holy Spirit. So help me God!”
The governor thanked past leaders for the great work they did, which his administration currently, was determined to deepen and expand the rings and layers of the state’s growth and shared prosperity.
Eno also thanked the stakeholders, women, elders, students, youths, the clergy, civil society organisations, members of the fourth estate of the realm, and indeed, the civil servants, for being key partners in the Golden Age of the State that was rising and expanding.
The governor further thanked the State chairman of APC, Obong Stephen Ntukekpo, for the ebullient manner he was managing the affairs of the party, noting that in the last one month, the party had very peaceful primaries all across the State where it overwhelmingly voted to nominate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the APC candidate for President, Senator Godswill Akpabio as the APC candidate for Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District, himself as the APC Governorship candidate for Akwa Ibom, as well as all other candidates for next year’s general elections.
He acknowledged President Bola Tinubu’s support for the State, noting that those promises government made would not have been so successfully and so impactfully fulfilled without the support and encouragement of President Tinubu, whose bold and audacious reforms have put more funds in the hands of subnationals to execute equally audacious projects.
Eno expressed appreciation to the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, for the collaboration forged, all for the State’s enlightened interest.
“On May 29, 2023, when I stood before you and gave my inaugural speech, I had made clear and concrete promises anchored around the ARISE Agenda, our developmental blueprint.
“Today, I make bold to state unequivocally, that we have ticked all the boxes and are rearing to do even more when, by the Grace of God, you return me for another four-year tour of duty next year”, he assured.
He enumerated some of his achievement in the various sectors of the economy, saying, “we have achieved the above, and in the next five years, with your support and by the Grace of God, we will work to complete the 85 other audacious projects that will change the landscape of development across sectors in our State”.
On Ibom Deep Seaport project, Eno made known that the Federal Government has approved its certifications and compliance processes as one of the five to be so approved, thanking the President for the kind approval.
He assured that his government will pursue the actualisation of Ibom Deep Seaport by the grace of God and with the support of the people.
The Governor said the vision of the ARISE 2.0 will be his administration’s blueprint for the campaigns and document of execution for the 2027 to 2031 administration, saying, “We will in that document capture all of the needs that you so articulated and submitted during our federal constituency tours across the length and breadth of our State.
“We will take into consideration, the things that you so desire that we bring into governance, and we guarantee that it will form our step by step blueprint just as the Arise 1.0 captured.
“Today, we celebrate the emerging story of our dear State, whose chapters of growth and exceptionalism are not only read and experienced by you, but also ring in the hearts, minds and lips of Nigerians across the geo-political zones.
“We couldn’t have achieved all these without the love you have shown, without the prayers you have said, without the faith you have invested, and without the peace, unity and deep spirit of kindredship you have so selflessly displayed. I thank and celebrate you.
“From a once rusty backwater subnational, we are fast becoming a destination of choice, a shining city on the hill, steady, illuminating, firm, inviting, hopeful and poised to fulfil the dreams of our founding fathers as a true Land of Promise.
“I come to you today, with a heart filled with gratitude, first to the Almighty God, who is the Author and the Finisher of our faith, and you, my dear people, for the prayers, support and faith you have so generously shown in our capacity to move further the needle of development of this great State, aptly named after the Almighty God Himself.
“In three years, together and collectively, we have achieved a lot, in line with the promises I made during the 2023 campaigns”, he said.
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