Akwa Ibom Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has been conferred with an exemplary leadership award by the people of Akwa Ibom Northwest (Ikot Ekpene) Senatorial District.
The award was bestowed on the governor during a special reception ceremony in honour of the senator representing Akwa Ibom Northwest in the upper chamber of the National Assembly and President of the 10th Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, held at the Ikot Ekpene Township Stadium.
Receiving the award, Governor Eno thanked the people of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District for coming together to hold the grand event and for the honour given to him.
He affirmed that the award was an appreciation of his governance disposition, a call for more work to unite the people, and an endorsement of many more years of service as the State Chief Executive beyond 2027.
The Governor conveyed the felicitation of the people and government of the State to Senator Akpabio describing the event as a statement to Nigerians that Akwa Ibom people are joyfully united behind their own and that Akwa Ibom sons deserve to be celebrated.
According to him, as a minority in the federation, Akwa Ibom people cannot afford to be divided nor trade the benefit that should follow the rare opportunity of having an indigene of the state in one of the highest offices in the nation, over political differences.
“My presence here as the Governor of Akwa Ibom State conveys the wishes of Government and people of the State on this occasion. When a man is celebrated at home, he will definitely be celebrated by outsiders and this is the statement Ikot Ekpene and indeed Akwa Ibom people have made today.
“Your ascension to the seat of the Senate President is for all of us to celebrate. It is my avowed commitment that as Akwa Ibomites, we will continue to celebrate all our sons and daughters that God has raised in their various fields of endeavors because first, they fly the Akwa Ibom flag and the Akwa Ibom blood runs in them. We may be from different political parties, but we are first of all, Akwa Ibom, and as Akwa Ibomites, we are united,” he said.
Addressing his people, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, expressed gratitude for the reception, describing it as a gesture he cannot take for granted.
He conveyed the gratitude of Akwa Ibom people to the National Assembly, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and his Party, for giving him the support to emerge as President of the tenth Senate of Nigeria.
Affirming Governor Umo Eno as a unifier and an apostle of peace and unity, Senator Akpabio assured of the support of the National Assembly to ensure the success of his administration.
“The National Assembly will work with you for you to succeed as governor, irrespective of political party lines. You have received the Federal Government with smiles, we will receive you in Abuja with benefits of democracy for your people,” Akpabio pledged.
Presenting the Exemplary Leadership Award to Governor Umo Eno, former Chief Judge of the State and Chairman of the occasion, Justice Godwin Abraham, said the award was in recognition of Governor Umo Eno’s efforts in unifying the state through his bridge-building disposition, describing the fraternal political relationship he has created among the people as unique and commendable.
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