Governor: We’ll unveil a new identity for Akwa Ibom

Udom Emmanuel, governor of Akwa Ibom, has unveiled some projects to commemorate the 33rd anniversary of the state.

Emmanuel, flagged off a long list of activities to mark the special event with a thanksgiving service at the banquet hall, government house, Uyo on Sunday.

On Wednesday, he had addressed the people, reflecting on the progress made in 33 years.

He had urged citizens to sustain the peace and unity to foster unceasing growth in the state and launched the state’s official symbols, comprising a flag, coat of arms, anthem and a creed.

Speaking during the launch, Emmanuel described the 33rd anniversary as symbolic, given the achievements recorded in the state within the past years.

He charged the people to exhibit virtues of unity and love to one another, saying that the bond has been the unique identity of Akwa Ibom people from time immemorial.

“I want to thank God for bringing us this far as a state . I spoke extensively on the significance of 33 and as a state named after God. It holds a whole lot of significance here in our state, the dakkada creed reflects the distillation of our unique identity and a call to take ownership of our destiny and for us to live the true essence of God’s plan for us,” he said.

“The launching of the state symbols and creed therefore is the crystallization of all that we as a people represent and shape ourselves forward; this is the land of great and God-fearing people, we are industrious, hospitable creative innovative, peaceful and blessed with good faith.

“Therefore as we launch this state symbols and creed it is my hope that a new Akwa Ibom identity will be unfold ; an identity of love and unity without the bed-ridden impulse to pull down ourselves or leaders.”

The governor commended Aniekan Bassey, speaker of the state house of assembly, and the house members for backing the usage of the state symbols with a legislation and acknowledged the contributions of designers of the symbols and the panelists for coordinating the project.

Other notable projects he inaugurated are the secretariat of the Akwa Ibom council of chiefs in Uyo, the remodelled Immanuel General Hospital – Eket, Psychiatric Hospital – Eket, the 9.5 km Ebe Ekpe-Osiok road project linking Eket with Esit Eket local government area as well as other internals roads in the Eket metropolis.

In addition, he inaugurated a fully digitised General Hospital and a landing Jetty in Onna local government area.