Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, has charged citizens and residents, irrespective of beliefs regarding the celebration of Easter, to join hands in building the state, even as they show love to one another, remembering those in need and those being persecuted.

This was contained in the governor’s Easter message to the people of the state, made available to journalists yesterday. He charged the people to remember that in commemorating the season, they should give hope to the hopeless, encourage the weak and care for the sick.

According to him, in the past seven years, God had quickened the pace of development and growth of the state that was once known as civil service state.

He said: “My dear Akwaibomites, in the last seven years, we have laid a foundation of growth and development that would, like Dubai was in 1985, blossom in the next few years into a fast industrialising and glittering state where the people’s aspirations would be met; where from land, air and sea, our state would be the cynosure of all eyes, where the economy would be private-sector driven, where our youths would be engaged, where the brightest and the best among us would enjoy incredible opportunities for growth and fulfillment.

“My dear Akwaibomites, this is the way modern societies that we travel to and love were grown and established. That is what I am doing for our people and posterity will remember and celebrate us for seizing the moment.”

“Let us continue to join hands to build the Akwa Ibom State of our dream and secure a future of prosperity, peace and growth for our children and generations yet unborn.”