Bury ethnicity and tribalism - Udom

Akwa Ibom people have been called to bury the twin evils of ethnicity and tribalism that could slow down the race of development in the state.

Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel made the call Friday during his inauguration as the Governor of the state at Akwa Ibom International Stadium, remarked, “I place a demand on all Akwa Ibom people, at home and abroad, to come with hoes and shovels, let us bury the twin evils of ethnicity and tribalism, which could slow us down in the race of development.

“At the same time, let us sow the seeds of brotherhood, love and unity, which will energize us to maintain our current momentum and leadership position, let us remember that with the spirit of brotherhood, love and unity, no foe can defeat us, and no rival can overtake us”, he said.

Governor Emmanuel observed, “ We have come together not to celebrate the triumph of a party, but to celebrate the victory of hope, the inspired hope that there is a divine promise, which binds us together in cords of love and brotherhood, hope that the blades and daggers of politics can never break the binds of our kinship, hope that on this majestic occasion of the transition of power, signifying a glorious end as well as a hopeful beginning, we can renew our faith in the Akwa Ibom dream. 

“Today, in search of a better estate, we have under the transformational leadership of his Excellency, Godswill Akpabio, become first among equals in the comity of states in our country, so as we seek to build a greater state founded on prosperity and justice, we should be reminded that in this land of promise, God will surely honor his own.

“Therefore, today we celebrate the triumph of the Akwa Ibom spirit over the murky waters of politics, we stand tall because of the trial of our faith, being much more precious than of gold that perish,

though it was tried with fires, was found into praise, honor and glory, let us therefore stand together in the praise and glory of our Heavenly Father, knowing that he who began a good work in us, is faithful to complete”, he said.

The governor who commended those who stood by him with unwavering confidence, steadfastness, loyalty, trust and faith and his former opponents, urged them and their to let partisan feelings yield to patriotism, stressing that his government is holding out their hands for them and beckoning Akwa Ibom people to come together to build the state.

Emmanuel further lauded Akpabio, immediate past governor for the mandate he had given him to hold power, saying that he had kept the covenant and that he as the new Governor would keep his own part by executing the programmes he enunciated during his official declaration to run for the office of the governor, which, according to him, includes to leverage and build on the uncommon transformation of Akpabio administration, to transform the economy of the state via industrialization and sustainable public-private sector initiative, to respect and uphold the tenets of democratic governance, among others.

He, therefore, called on the people to think of what to do for the state to achieve those milestones and not what the state can do for them, and urged them to keep the administration in thoughts and prayers, stressing that his government would be glad to welcome ideas and contributions and that it is only in development of the state that the state can attain the individual goals and aspirations.

Udom paid tribute to the immediate governor, Chief Godwill Akpabio for his good governance and abiding testimony that indeed government can work, disclosing that the state House of Assembly had renamed the Nest of Champion Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, a feat he said is in celebration of his uncommon transformation of the state and that he has given his assent as the new Governor of the state to the resolution.

The Governor also thanked the immediate first lady of the state, Mrs.  Unoma Akpabio for her motherly love and support for the state project and for the many lives she has transformed and lifted, the state PDP for the support of its national and state officers in actualizing the mandate and the entire people of the state for the trust and confidence they bestowed on them.

The immediate past Governor, Chief Akpabio thanked the people of the state for giving him the mandate to serve them, making the choice of allowing the will of God to be done in 2007 by electing him into office as the governor, and called on the people not to forget the uncommon phase of the state, saying the people of the state are enjoying now because of the seeds the sowed in 2007.

Akpabio urged the people of the state to tell the story of the uncommon transformation of the state to the unborn children, that hope never fails and that God’s faithfulness never wavers, stressing that it was through God that his administration was able to achieve that because his administration put God in the affairs of the state.

He congratulated the Governor and his wife, Martha, and called on Akwa Ibom people to pray, cooperate and support him, advising the people should not advise Governor Udom negatively but to encourage him so that the state can go higher.