Senate President Akpabio pledges cooperation with Governor Eno to sustain Akwa Ibom’s growth and prevent political conflict.
President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has described Akwa Ibom State as a “shining example of unity, development and progress in Nigeria,” pledging to continue working closely with Governor Umo Eno to sustain the state’s development and preserve the unity of its people.
Akpabio, a former two-term Governor of Akwa Ibom State, spoke as Special Guest of Honour at the commissioning of a newly acquired Airbus A220-300 aircraft by Ibom Air at the Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo.
According to a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Jackson Udom, the Senate President said the expansion of the Ibom Air fleet was further evidence of the progress being recorded in the state.
“With the commissioning of today, Akwa Ibom State has become the ‘shining example of unity, development and progress in Nigeria’,” Akpabio declared.
He commended Governor Eno for his commitment to infrastructural and human capital development, particularly the training of Akwa Ibom youths for careers in the aviation industry.
“Let me thank Governor Eno for what I have seen here today, particularly the number of Akwa Ibom children you are training to join the aviation industry. I am seeing Eno in me. He is also seeing himself in me,” he said.
Akpabio assured the people of Akwa Ibom that his relationship with the Governor would remain anchored on cooperation and the collective interest of the state.
Reflecting on political disagreements that have historically affected relationships between governors and presiding officers of the National Assembly in some states, Akpabio said he had deliberately chosen partnership over confrontation.
“I am assuring us all that this state will never experience what other states experienced in the past between their governor and the President of the Senate.
“As a good student of history, I have made up my mind that rather than fight with my governor, I will join hands with him to develop our state,” Akpabio said.
The Senate President also saluted the Chairman of Ibom Air, Captain Mfon Udom, and the airline’s management team for the milestone.
“I salute the Chairman of Ibom Air, Captain Mfon Udom, and its management team for this feat. Nothing is as gratifying as my presence here today.”
Akpabio further praised Governor Eno for sustaining and completing projects inherited from previous administrations, describing the approach as responsible leadership and a demonstration that the resources of the state belong to the people irrespective of the administration under which projects were initiated.
“Thank you, Governor Eno, for not abandoning the money of Akwa Ibom people. You have decided to complete all projects initiated by previous administrations. This shows that you are truly a man of God,” he stated.
Unity Remains Paramount
Akpabio stressed that the unity of Akwa Ibom State must continue to take precedence over political differences and individual interests.
“The unity of this state remains paramount. I stand on ARISE in this state and at the federal level, we all stand on the mandate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.
He also expressed appreciation to former military President, General Ibrahim Babangida, for the creation of Akwa Ibom State from the old Cross River State.
Earlier, Governor Umo Eno thanked the Senate President for attending the ceremony and formally commissioning the Airbus A220-300 aircraft.
The Governor declared September a month of appreciation, noting the significance of the month in the history of Akwa Ibom State and urging the people to remain grateful for the progress recorded since the creation of the state.
Governor Eno described the acquisition of the Airbus A220-300 as part of Ibom Air’s fleet expansion programme, acknowledging that the growth of the airline was built upon a vision initiated by previous administrations and sustained by successive governments.
He paid tribute to former leaders of the state for the vision and foundations that had created the platform for the continued expansion of Akwa Ibom’s aviation sector.
According to the Governor, the latest acquisition represents “part of the fleet expansion drive for Ibom Air.”
He thanked former leaders for “the vision they espoused and the pathway they created, leading to this moment where, with the finisher’s anointing, we are expanding the growth of our aviation industry.”
The commissioning of the Airbus A220-300 marks another milestone in Akwa Ibom State’s efforts to expand its aviation sector, develop human capital and strengthen its position as an emerging economic and transportation hub.
