I join our people at home and across the world in celebrating the 39th anniversary of the creation of our dear Akwa Ibom State.
Thirty-nine years ago, the long-held aspiration of our forebears became a reality. It was the fulfilment of a dream nurtured through years of sacrifice, advocacy, courage and an abiding faith in the ability of our people to build a prosperous homeland.
Today, we remember with profound gratitude those illustrious sons and daughters whose vision and struggles helped bring our State into being.
From those modest beginnings, Akwa Ibom has grown into one of Nigeria’s leading States, distinguished by the industry, ingenuity, hospitality and resilience of our people. Across Nigeria and beyond our shores, Akwa Ibom sons and daughters continue to distinguish themselves in public service, business, academia, the professions, creative industries, sports and many other fields of human endeavour.
Our greatest resource has always been our people.
As one who had the privilege of serving this great State as Governor, I remain profoundly grateful for the opportunity our people gave me to contribute to its development.
The years of Uncommon Transformation demonstrated what is possible when vision is matched by courage, when public resources are deployed for the public good, and when leadership refuses to accept yesterday’s limitations as the boundaries of tomorrow’s possibilities.
The infrastructure, institutions and human-capital investments of that era were never ends in themselves. They were foundations upon which succeeding generations could continue to build.
I commend His Excellency, Governor Umo Eno, for sustaining the journey of development through the ARISE Agenda and for his commitment to peace, rural development, economic advancement and the welfare of our people.
The progress of Akwa Ibom must always rise above partisan considerations. Every generation of leaders has a duty to build on the foundations laid by those before them.
At 39, our celebration must also come with renewed determination. We must look beyond how far we have come and imagine how much farther we can go.
Let us continue to build an Akwa Ibom where every child can dream without limitation; where enterprise and innovation flourish; where our young people can turn their talents into opportunities; where our communities experience meaningful development; and where peace, unity and mutual respect remain the foundations of our collective progress.
As we approach the fourth decade of our State’s existence, may we never forget the faith and sacrifices of those who fought for its creation. And may we resolve to leave to those coming after us an Akwa Ibom greater than the one we inherited.
The task before us is not merely to celebrate how far we have travelled, but to imagine how much farther we can go.
Akwa Ibom is rising. Together, we shall continue to build a future worthy of the dreams of our founding fathers.
Happy 39th Anniversary to the Government and good people of Akwa Ibom State.
God bless Akwa Ibom State.
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
