Udom Emmanuel, governor of Akwa Ibom state, has applauded the bilateral relationship between Nigeria and the United States.
Speaking when Stuart Symington, US ambassador to Nigeria, led members of the diplomatic corps to government house, Uyo, the governor said the relationship between Nigeria and America has spanned several decades.
He thanked the US ambassador for his contributions to make Akwa Ibom and Nigeria in the areas of economic development, educational and cultural cooperation.
He expressed appreciation to the diplomatic corps in their observer role during the last elections in the country.
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Emmanuel expressed appreciation to the United States for the choice of Akwa Ibom in the pilot scheme to reduce the HIV/AIDS pandemic, being a coastal state bordering other state and countries who interface daily for commerce and other economic pursuits.
He described Symington as a brother with a passion for humanity and expressed regrets that his tenure in the country is “short lived”, wishing him well as he returns to his home country.
In his remark, Stuart Symington described the governor’s vision to industrialise Akwa Ibom, equip health care facilities and provide road networks as placing the state on the global map.
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While expressing appreciation to the people of Akwa Ibom and Nigeria for the hospitality accorded him throughout his stay in the country, the US envoy said that for sustainable development his country, he chose Akwa Ibom for the implementation of the healthcare support next year to stem the tide of HIV/AIDS pandemic and make the state a place for succor to those affected by the disease.
High point of the event was a toast proposed by Assam Assam, Nigeria’s former ambassador to Russia.
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