Governor warns citizens against disparaging Akwa Ibom

Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel has appealed to people of the state to desist from actions that would disparage the state.

He made this appeal yesterday in his broadcast to mark the state’s 32nd anniversary.

Former military head of state, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (rtd.), created Akwa Ibom and Katsina states on September 23, 1987.

Emmanuel observed that “other zones in the country do not de-market their states or insult their leaders” at random despite disagreement with their leaders or government policies.

Said he, “Nobody will respect your values when you don’t respect same. No one will respect what you stand for when you desecrate same. Nobody will tell the Akwa Ibom story when you drape the contours of the state with filth.

“On this occasion of our 32nd anniversary, let us begin to respect our common values, and even when we disagree with our leaders or among ourselves, such should be done with civility and mutual respect. What binds us is more enduring than the temporary impulse of partisan politics.”

The governor vowed to remain a servant-leader.

“I will continue to lead this state with the fear of God and with the over-arching interest of our people, their growth, peaceful co-existence and development as the guiding principles.

“I will continue to do all that I can to cement the bond of our unity, knowing well that a house that is divided against itself cannot stand,” he said.

He charged the citizens to de-emphasise political affiliation and shun all divisive tendencies, capable of destroying their unity and peaceful co-existence as a people.

Akwa Ibom story, he maintained, should be pan-Akwa Ibom in shape and definition, devoid of the colours of partisanship or rancorous impulses.

“When we celebrate what is ours, when we don’t describe our leaders in unsanitised fashion, when we celebrate the Akwa Ibom identity and what binds us as a people, our aspirations, our essence, our values and our identity, we are telling the world that the Akwa Ibom spirit defies political labels.

“The flour mills that was just commissioned by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo a few days ago is for all Akwa Ibom people. The plywood and timber factory that was equally commissioned will not only be defined as a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) achievement, neither will the furniture industry that will benefit from this factory be used mainly by PDP members; all will be an Akwa Ibom success story,” he added.

Governor Emmanuel disclosed that the state was building solid infrastructure to drive its industrialisation agenda and create wealth for the people.

This, he said, his administration was doing through investment in agriculture and the power sector.

“This is not just a PDP achievement; it is an inspiring Akwa Ibom success story that we all should feel proud to identify with. When we are celebrated, as we currently are, as the only state with a fully functional airline, it is not just a PDP achievement; it is an Akwa Ibom achievement,” he added.

The governor emphasised that the state would be what the founding fathers envisioned if the people rise together to defend their common values in the spirit of Dakkada philosophy.