PROTOCOL
Distinguished
honourable colleagues, I welcome you to this historic sitting today. We sit
here today in this hallowed chambers as products of the future that was built
thirty years ago by our founding fathers. These were great patriots of whom we
are indeed privileged to succeed by our sheer sustenance of the 25-year-old
legacy of the Akwa Ibom state house of assembly.
Dear colleagues, management and staff of the House of Assembly, it is indeed a
privilege for me to partake in the celebration of thirty years of great
exploits, abundance, multiplications from God, prosperity, peace and unity, in
Akwa Ibom State, a state that was created on Wednesday, 23rd September 1987 by
the then Military Administration of General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida.
I
recall vividly the great joy, excitement and shouts of jubilations that filled
the air when the news of the creation broke and the fears and uncertainties
expressed by the people who gathered in clusters to share their mixed feelings
over the development, not certain of what the future would bring the way of the
occupants of the mainland part of the erstwhile Cross River State.
We
have in the last 30 years made breathtaking milestones, and bountiful progress.
We have made lofty attainments. We have also grappled with the ups and downs of
propagating the vision of an ideal society.
In
the face of all these, we can boldly say that we have been more than
conquerors. As a people, we were given a land wherein our founding fathers
resolved to stay together, united and indivisible. They bequeathed us an
enviable legacy, one which has put eternal springs in our steps.
With
state creation came expectations of development, particularly of the state
capital, Uyo and thirty years later, it is obvious that development and
transformation has come to the Land of Promise which has metamorphosed into the
land of fulfillment. This is evidence in the various stages of transformation
that the roundabout known then as the Circus, later the Ibom connection and
much later, the Ibom plaza has undergone, as visitors to the state will be
quick to point out.
From
the Pioneer Military Administrator Tunde Ogbeha, to Godwin Abbe, to our own
Idongesit Nkanga, our first democratically elected Governor, Obong Akpan
Isemin, Yakubu Bako, Joseph Adewusi, John Ebiye, Architect Obong Victor Attah,
Chief Godswill Akpabio and currently Deacon Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, it has been
thirty years of development in terms of improved road network, of quality
infrastructure and other life touching projects; which cut across the state,
the Education, Health, Science and Technology, Environment , Agriculture and
Economic sectors. There is still room for improvement.
The
rapid development of Akwa Ibom State and the provision of world class
infrastructure would however not to possible without the seal of approval by
the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly which has, for 25 years, provided sound
legislations and served as the clearing House for the execution of projects
through appropriation procedures.
From
20th January 1992 when the first Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly was
constituted till date, the House has had men of integrity preside over its
affairs. As we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the State, let me pay glowing
tributes to my predecessors:
Rt. Hon. Chief Jimmy Jimmy Ntuen , Rt. Hon. Barrister Nse Ben Ekanem, and Rt.
Hon. Barrister Henry Affang of the 1st Assembly. Rt. Hon. Barrister Bassey
Essien
Rt. Hon. Chief Peter Linus Umoh
of the 2nd Assembly.
Rt.
Hon. Chief Nelson Effiong of the 3rd Assembly.
Rt.
Hon. Ignatius Kevin Edet
Rt. Hon. Anietie Etuk
of the 4th Assembly.
Rt.
Hon. Elder Samuel Okon Ikon of the 5th Assembly and Rt. Hon. Elder Aniekan Uko
in the first part of the 6th assembly.
They
did their bit creditably well while on this seat before the mantle of
leadership fell on me.
As
the Peoples Assembly, the 6th Assembly is committed to the strengthening of our
lawmaking, oversight and representation mandate, while our legislative
engagement will center around the wellbeing of Akwa Ibom people, whose
participation in the law making process, the public hearings, will always have
opportunity to make inputs. All this is to ensure that the collective dreams,
hopes and aspirations of the people are reflected in each legislation that is
passed by the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly.
As
legislators, we are conscious of the role of history in the development of any
society. We are interested in being on the positive side of history vis-à-vis
the development of the state. With this in mind, we will continue to make our
modest contributions towards the development of the state. We will continue to
be on the side of the people and craft people-oriented legislations aimed at
improving the well-being of the people of the state and the state as a whole.
We
are therefore committed as a legislature and as individual stakeholders in the
future of the state to ensure that the labours of our heroes past shall not in
vain.
At
30, it is time for every Akwa Ibom person to show commitment to the Akwa Ibom
project which is a united, educated, prosperous and healthy state filled with
healthy people who are innovative and creative, ready to conquer new
territories.
We
must, as a state, thank God for the various stages and seasons. We have
experienced the good times, the rough times, the prosperous times. We must also
draw inspiration from the great stories we have read of over forbears and their
exploits and accomplishments.
As
we celebrate 30 years of statehood, we must think of our young generation. Any
nation that thinks about her future pays serious attention and importance to
her youthful population. As we proceed from this 30th anniversary celebration,
we should begin to have a systemic and planned blueprint aimed towards
constructively engaging our youths and children. We must consciously and
structurally make investments that will provide the enabling environment for
our children to realise their dreams and progress in life so that they will in
turn be equipped to give back their quota towards the development of our state.
As
we celebrate the 30th anniversary of our dear state, it is time to support
leadership at all levels with words of appreciation and encouragement. Let us
celebrate the seemingly little accomplishments that will add up to tangible
results over time. It is time for Akwa Ibom people to rise above name calling,
bitterness, divisive tendencies and selfish personal interest.
Rather
than use official resources to build and expand our personal business empires,
let us, as we celebrate 30 years, use our various positions to expand the Akwa
Ibom empire by developing human resources, creating an enabling environment for
investors, and furthering the Akwa Ibom project which is a united, educated,
prosperous and healthy state. As leaders, selflessness and patriotism should
define our engagements in public service.
I
look forward to our Golden Jubilee as a state in the next 20 years, at which
time the things we have wished for and prayed for, would have been put in
place.
On
behalf of Nsit Ubium state constituency which I represent, and the 6th assembly
which I preside over, I felicitate with His Excellency the Governor, and people
of our state on this auspicious occasion of the 30th anniversary. May God help
us grow as a healthy, prosperous, and educated people under one leadership and
under one God. Amen
Happy
anniversary, Akwa Ibom state!
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