Akwa Ibom @39: Aspirations of Our Forebears Are Being Fulfilled — Akpabio

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has said the creation of Akwa Ibom State 39 years ago was a fulfilment of the long-held aspirations of its founding fathers.

Akpabio stated this in a goodwill message to the government and people of Akwa Ibom State to commemorate the 39th anniversary of the state’s creation.

In the message titled, “Akwa Ibom at 39: Celebrating Our Journey, Building Our Future,” Akpabio congratulated Governor Umo Eno, the government and people of the state on the anniversary.

He recalled that the creation of the state by the Ibrahim Babangida administration on September 23, 1987, followed years of sacrifice, advocacy and determination by the people who sought to have a state of their own.

“Thirty-nine years ago, the long-held aspiration of our forebears became reality with the creation of Akwa Ibom State,” Akpabio said.

He noted that the state had grown from its modest beginnings into one of Nigeria’s significant states, attributing its progress to the industry, ingenuity, hospitality and resilience of its people.

According to him, Akwa Ibom indigenes have continued to distinguish themselves in public service, business, academia, the professions, creative industries, sports and other fields.
“Our greatest resource has always been our people,” he said.

The former two-term governor of Akwa Ibom also reflected on his tenure, saying he remained grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the development of the state.

Akpabio said the period of his administration’s Uncommon Transformation demonstrated what could be achieved when vision was matched with courage and public resources were deployed for the public good.

He described the infrastructure, institutions and human-capital investments made during that period as foundations upon which succeeding administrations could continue to build.

The Senate President commended Governor Umo Eno for sustaining the state’s development through the ARISE Agenda, particularly in the areas of peace, rural development, economic advancement and the welfare of the people.

He urged political leaders to place the development of Akwa Ibom above partisan considerations, stressing that every generation of leaders had a responsibility to build on the achievements inherited from previous administrations.

“At 39, therefore, our celebration must be accompanied by renewed determination,” Akpabio said, calling for an Akwa Ibom where children could dream without limitations, enterprise and innovation could flourish, and young people could find opportunities to turn their talents into prosperity.

He also called for continued investment in communities while urging residents to preserve peace, unity and mutual respect as foundations for the state’s progress.

As Akwa Ibom approaches its fourth decade, Akpabio urged the people to remember the sacrifices of those who fought for the state’s creation and commit to leaving future generations a state greater than the one they inherited.

“Akwa Ibom is rising. And together, we shall continue to build a future worthy of the dreams of our founding fathers,” he said.

Akpabio wished the government and people of Akwa Ibom a happy 39th anniversary and prayed for the continued progress of the state.