Saturday December 20, 2025
www.thenewsdesk.ng
The Akwa Ibom Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has, once again, called on citizens to demonstrate gratitude and respect for their leaders and elders, by acknowledging and celebrating them, in order to unlock the state’s full potential and accelerate sustainable growth and development.
In his remarks at the State Christmas Carol Festival held at the Amphitheatre, Unity Park, Uyo, the Governor also lauded all past leaders of the State for their remarkable development visions and contributions to the progress of the state.
The Governor acknowledged with appreciation, the remarkable achievements of past leaders, especially the vision of the International Airport, and the annual Carol Festival, which, according to him, are major boosters for the tourism development efforts of his administration.
He described these feats as great inspirations to his administration, and assured of his commitment to sustain and further on the visions for the good of the State.
“We are immensely inspired by the selfless service of our past leaders. We remain dedicated to honouring and deepening their labour and sacrifices,” he said.
According to the Governor, “this therefore calls for our continued unity, respect, and celebration of these leaders rather than insulting and dishonouring the services and sacrifices they made for the development of our dear State.”
He pledged his administration’s unflinching support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his Renewed Hope Agenda which he noted is on track to solve the nation’s socio-political, economic, and security challenges.
“We will continue to stand by him for releasing money to States so that we can continue with our development. We will ensure he returns in 2027 for a second term in office to lead Nigeria to the desired destination,” he stated.
The Governor pledged to support and ensure that the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, is voted back to office in 2027 to continue with his good work in the interest of the State.
“I pray that God will help us as we go into the season of campaign and elections to say what is right, stand by what is right, to leave the naysayers, and to choose the path that will always lead to victory,” he said.
The Governor prayed for love and oneness of Akwa Ibom people, stressing that ancient animosities should give way to the kindred spirit of togetherness and unity in the State.
He commended the array of people across party lines who gathered at the festival to praise God in the true United Akwa Ibom spirit, describing it is a sign of imminent blessings and further growth of the State. He assured of his administration’s continued focus on changing the development narrative of the State through the ARISE Agenda.
He also announced that in the spirit of the yuletide season, all the gazetted villages in the 31 LGAs would recieve 40 bags of rice each from the state government.
In his exhortation on the theme “Divine Visitation,” drawn from Luke 1:68, the General Secretary of the Assemblies of God, Rev. (Dr.) Godwin Amaowoh, noted that anyone visited by God usually experienced impact and great testimony in life.
Rev. Amaowoh admonished Christians to keep trusting in God as the birth of Jesus Christ has opened the door of divine visitation for their salvation, blessing, and impact in their lives.
The Carol festival paraded an array of personalities, including the Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi; Wife of the Senate President, Mrs Ekaete Unoma Akpabio, Ooni of Ife, HRM Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, Executive Assistant/ Chief Delivery Advisor, Mr Aniefiok Johnson; members of the National Assembly, members of the State Executive Council; local government chairmen, political stalwarts; captains of industry; and Christians within and outside the State.
