The
Akwa Ibom Government has honoured some personalities for their contributions to
the development and growth of the state, as part of activities to climax the
30th Anniversary of the creation of the State.
Top
on the list at the state banquet held at the Le Meridien Ibom hotel and Golf
Resort, Uyo was the Icon Award given to retired General Ibrahim Badamasi
Babangida for creating the state in September 23,1987.
The
second category was the Icons of state development award to the past Governors
of the state.
In
this category were retired Brigadier General(Senator) Tunde Ogbeha, retired
Major General Godwin Abbe, retired Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga and Late
Obong Akpan Isemin who got a post humous award.
In
that same group were retired Colonel Yakubu Bako, late retired Navy Captain
Joseph Adeusi, post humous, Group Captain John Ebiye retired, Obong Victor
Attah and Senator Godswill Akpabio.
In
another category, the Prelate Emeritus of Methodist Church Nigeria, Dr Sunday
Mbang CON, former Chief of Air staff, Air Marshall Nsikak Eduok retired, first
indigenous prelate of the African Church, Most Rev. Emmanuel Josiah Udofia got
pacesetters awards, while post humous honours in that category went to Dominic
Cardinal Ekanem the first African Cardinal of the catholic church, the former
Inspector General of Police, Sir Etim Inyang and former Chief Justice of
Uganda, Justice Egbert Udo Udoma.
At
the event, Iconic achievers in Sports Award went to Nigeria's most capped
footballer Vincent Enyeama, former Olympic gold medalist Enefiok Udobong and
2015 Nigerian FA cup champions Akwa United Football club of Uyo while Emem
Isong, Dr. Uko Akpan Umana, Prince Patrick Idiong and Chief John Idung cornered
the iconic achievers in entertainment awards.
The
event also provided special recognition award which went to the Deputy
Governor, Mr Moses Ekpo, Media, Mr Ufot Ekong, Academic achievement, Mr Akanimo
Udofia, Entrepreneurship and Rt. Hon Barr. Onofiok Luke for youth development.
Obong
Ufot Ekaette was also honoured for public service under the special recognition
award, Inoyo Toro Foundation, Social and humanitarian services and Mr Aniekpeno
Mkpanang for innovation and creativity.
Speaking
at the event, The Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo described the award
as being very important because merit and hard work were being recognized while
men and women who laid the foundation for the greatness of the state were
celebrated.
He
told Governor Udom Emmanuel that by expressing gratitude of Akwa Ibom people to
those who served them in the years gone by, he had satisfied an important
spiritual principle which says that those who say thank you reap the reward of
greater gifts in the future.
In
the words of the Vice President, "by so doing, you have demonstrated deep
humility in realization that no man can build alone and that no man's wisdom is
sufficient for all generations".
He
congratulated the honourees for what he referred to as well deserved honours
conferred on them by Akwa Ibom State and thanked God for those in attendance
and for the blessed memories of those who departed.
Earlier,
The State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel had recalled with Joy the landmark
achievements of past leaders in the state and submitted that Akwa Ibom was
always blessed with good leadership beginning from Senator Tunde Ogbeha.
"Let
me say here that Akwa Ibom is blessed and we have always been blessed in the
past 30 years with good leadership".
The
Governor described Akwa Ibom as God's own state with people of vitality, zeal,
patriotism and undiluted vision and paid tribute to General Ibrahim Babangida
for the creation of the state after 6 decades of struggle.
Mr
Emmanuel commended his predecessors in office for their efforts in developing
the state and promised not to erect a bungalow where they laid foundation for
sky scrappers.
He
expressed deep appreciation to the vice president for taking time out to
participate in the state's anniversary, extended same to other dignitaries and
planning committee.
Obong
Victor Attah, a former Governor of the state who spoke on behalf of other
honourees described the initiative by Governor Emmanuel as phenomenal.
The
former Governor stated that by honouring the past and recognizing sacrifice and
contributions, Governor Emmanuel had shown that there is a future for Akwa Ibom
State.
Obong
Attah also had this to say about EARCOM and DAKAADA, "For those of you who
don't know what EARCOM is, it is Ethical and Attitudinal Reorientation
Commission. That is a commission that I had set when I was Governor of this
state and I thank God that it is still going and your Dakaada has come and
lifted it to the next level".
The
well attended event featured cutting of anniversary cake, Toast to Akwa Ibom at
30, choral renditions, good will messages, dinner, performance by the young
professionals and cultural display courtesy of Ekemini theatre troupe among
others.
By
Ndifreke P. Akpan
AKSG HOUSE Press Uyo
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