Uyo the Akwa Ibom State capital, was on Friday agog when a mammoth crowd of more than 10,000 youth drawn from the 12 Local Government Areas of Eket Senatorial District, marched to the Hilltop Mansion, for a solidarity visit to Governor Udom Emmanuel
The youths who chanted in support of the governor as they marched around the streets of Uyo, lauded him for a superlative performance particularly in the senatorial district and the state at large.
Led by the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Rt. Hon. Victor Antai, the crowd marched from Ibom Unity Park, Udo Udoma Avenue to the Government House, Wellington Bassey Way, to pledge their support for the governor come 2019 and beyond.
Governor Emmanuel who was pleasantly surprised by the show of love reminded the people of his promise to bring development from the shoreline and hinterland to the city centre.
The governor who assured that work was advancing on the proposed deep seaport project in the state explained that he purposely refused to give much publicity to the progress of work on the project and several others
“There are projects we are doing which cannot be completed in 2 to 3 years. I heard people talking about the deep seaport, I purposely removed Ibaka from the internet,” he said.
According to him, “before now, when we enter meetings, when you read it on the internet, the next day the saboteurs will put something else in the newspapers to make sure the seaport doesn’t work.”
He reiterated his desire to complete the ongoing seaport project and the international jetty project in Ikot Abasi among others.
He said the projects were geared towards making a statement that the district produced the resources sustaining the nation’s economy.
Governor Emmanuel noted that Eket Senatorial District was a huge blessing to the country as the oil that Nigeria is feeding from comes from the district.
The governor also informed the people of the ongoing dualisation of the road linking the Akwa Ibom International Airport with Oron and the East-West Road for easier access to the airport for Eket Senatorial district air travellers.
Earlier while describing him as ‘Amazing Udom Emmanuel’ and the “Talk-and-do Governor,” Rt. Hon. Antai charged the governor to “Fear not for I am with you.”
His words: “Eket Senatorial District youth have asked me to tell you that you are the lion of the tribe of Eket Senatorial District and we are your warriors.
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“We are soaring with you come 2019. There is no vacancy in the Hilltop Mansion that is why the people of Eket Senatorial District have journeyed since morning to show you solidarity, to tell you ‘be strong, you are our own.’
“Uyo governed for eight years, so did Ikot Ekpene. They did not share it. This is our turn and we are not going to share it and you and you alone shall govern for eight years.
“We will lead to war come 2019 and you are going to be our general. On that note, the youth of Eket Senatorial District asked me to present a gift, a symbol to be strong and of good courage.”
According to Antai who is the convener of the exercise, the Eket Senatorial District Youths were satisfied with the outstanding performance of the governor in just two and a half years in office and were out to tell him ‘thank you for being a good leader.’
In their separate goodwill messages, political leaders at the occasion thanked the governor form transforming the state from a civil service state to an industrial one. Those who gave goodwill messages were the member representing Onna in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Otuekong Nse Essien; PDP chairmanship candidate for Eket Local Government, Hon. Frank Archibong and the Eket Local Government Transition Chairman, Princess Abigail Edohoket.
The chairman of the State Youth Council, Comrade Emem Daniel said: “You promised to build roads and that is what you are doing, we are going to make the people of Nigeria know that Akwa Ibom State is PDP. What you are seeing here is a testament of what you are doing in the state. This march started in 2015 and will continue in 2023. You have made us proud.”
Speaking on behalf of the people of Eket Senatorial District, Senatorial Chairman, Mfon Nkanteen, stated that Governor Emmanuel had exceeded their expectation.
Highlight of the visit was the presentation of a ceremonial sword to the governor by the youths, symbolizing strength and courage for the governor ahead of his re-election.
Those who accompanied the governor to receive the crowd were Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Sir Etekamba Umoren; Commissioners for Works, Akparawa Ephraim Inyang; Information and Strategy, Mr Charles Udoh; and Transport and Mineral Resources, Orman Esin.
Also present were the aides of the governor from the Senatorial district, led by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Technical Matters and Due Process, Elder Ufot Ebong.
