Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, has assured President Muhammadu Buhari, of his readiness and determination to bring to fruition his dreams for the people of the Niger Delta.
Akpabio said under his leadership and that of the Minister of State, Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN, they would work assiduously in unity to justify their appointments by the President.
Akpabio, who assumed office on Wednesday, shortly after his inauguration by the President, specifically thanked him for deeming them fit to be part of the Next Level Agenda of his administration.
”Let me, on behalf of my brother and people of Niger Delta region, thank Mr. President for the confidence reposed in us to deliver on his laudable programmes for the people of the region. Mr. President, by this appointments has handed over the destiny of our people into our hands and by the special grace of God we will not fail.”
“The task is not insurmountable. We have a very big task ahead of us and we will surely deliver. We will put in our best to make you and Nigerians proud,” he stressed.
Speaking at the reception for the newly inaugurated minister, the All Progressives Congress (APC), governorship candidate in Akwa Ibom State, Obong Nsima Ekere, thanked God and President Buhari for the appointment.
”We thank President Buhari for fishing out one of our best for this appointment and we are sure, going by his track records, he will deliver on the agenda of Mr. President for the Niger delta people. This is a square peg, in a square hole.”
Former Minister of Petroleum, Atuekong Don Etiebet, said the appointment of Senator Akpabio will bring development to the region and succour to the people.
“Niger Delta is the mainstay of the Nigerian economy and it is not a mistake that Mr. President had brought a development oriented person in the person of Senator Akpabio to pilot the transformation of the region,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the women and the people of Eket Senatorial District, a former Senator, Mrs Eme Ufot Ekaette, said with the appointment of Akpabio the people were excited because he would assist Mr. President in the Next Level agenda.
In attendance were, the governor of Ogun state, Prince Dapo Abiodun, former governor of Ogun state, Aremo Segun Osoba, Senator John James Akpan Udo-Edehe, Chairman of APC in Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Ini Okopido, among others.