Indigenes, Residents Celebrate A’Ibom At 38

… Thank God For Gift Of Statehood
By Godwin Benson 
UYO
As the government and people of Akwa Ibom roll out the drums to celebrate the 38th anniversary of the creation of the State, a cross section of the indigenes, groups and individuals have expressed their happiness and solidarity with the season.
In their respective goodwill messages, they have identified with the milestones, the positive growth and development in the different spheres.
Bulletine Construction Company Ltd in its message signed by the managing director and CEO, Chief Faysal Harb, said they “heartily felicitate with the government and people of Akwa Ibom on the joyous celebration of the 38th anniversary of our state.
“Since its creation on September 23, 1987, Akwa Ibom has witnessed the contributions of many leaders. The ARISE Agenda of the present administration has come to ensure continuity in people-oriented developmental programmes in the State.
“We join millions of Akwa Ibom people at home and in the Diaspora to celebrate this milestone of statehood, even as we look forward with optimism to greater accomplishment in the years ahead.”
The rector of the Akwa Ibom Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua, Dr Moses Umobong, on behalf of the management, unions, staff, students and the entire Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic Community, congratulated the governor, Pastor Umo Eno, on the celebration of the 38th Anniversary of our state.
Umobong used the auspicious occasion to commend Eno for his giant strides and accomplishments, within his short stay in office, as evidenced by several ground-breaking ceremonies, infrastructural development, youth empowerment, educational renaissance and several efforts to better the lots of the people and guarantee our people purposeful livelihood.
He specially acknowledged the governor’s timely intervention in the Polytechnic, which led to the accreditation of all the 47 academic programmes and 13 trade/skill programmes, leading to the award of Higher National Diploma, National Diploma and National Skill Qualification during the last accreditation exercise by the National Board for Technical Education, NBTE.
The rector prayed God Almighty to imbue the governor with strength, protection and wisdom, to continue to deliver more dividends of democracy to the people. 
The commissioner for women affairs and social welfare, Mrs Inibehe Etukudo, on behalf of the permanent secretary, directors, staff, Akwa Ibom women, children and the vulnerable people of the state, felicitated the governor “on this momentous occasion.”
Etukudo said Eno administration’s unwavering dedication to promoting women’s inclusion in governance, elevating the state’s socio-economic profile both nationally and internationally and “your steadfast commitment to the well-being of t children and the vulnerable are truly commendable.”
Uko Essien Udom, SAN, the state attorney-general and commissioner for justice wrote: “As we reach yet another milestone, we thank God for the gift of statehood which enabled Akwa Ibom people to reach for destined heights, through the bold vision of our illustrious forebears, and the leadership legacies of successive governors, culminating in the golden strides, the compassionate and progressive stewardship of His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, Ph.D.”
The provost, Akwa Ibom College of Nursing Sciences, AKSCONS, Mrs Ekaette Akan, said “AKSCONS proudly celebrates the worthy contributions of our past leaders, whose dreams, visions, and sacrifices have birthed the Nigeria’s 21st state – Akwa Ibom.
“For the records, our state at 38 has become a cynosure of comity of states in the Federation due to the ARISE Agenda – impact development profile. And this imprint has cut across diverse critical sectors of the State’s economy.
“In the spirit of the anniversary, we commend your Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, Ph.D, whose burgeoning capacity in leadership has raised the bar of transformative development for a greater Akwa Ibom State,  as evident in the Nursing Education sub-sector.”
The managing director, South-South Development Commission, Ms Usoro Akpabio, felicitated Pastor Umo Eno, the President of the 10th Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, other Stakeholders and the entire people of Akwa Ibom.
Akpabio noted, “the milestone calls for deep reflection on the remarkable journey of Akwa Ibom, a land blessed with resilient people and abundant resources, and destined to remain a beacon of hope in South-South region and the nation at last.”