Posted by UBONG ASSAM JNR


Oku Ibom Ibibio and President General of Akwa Ibom State Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers, His Eminence, Ntenyin (Dr.) Solomon Daniel Etuk, CFR, has called for stronger bond of unity, love and peaceful co-existence amongst the people.

The premier royal father, speaking on the 36th anniversary of Akwa Ibom State, emphasized the need for leaders at all levels to imbibe the spirit of sacrifice, selflessness and honesty in their services so as to further engender the wellbeing and development of the State.

Ntenyin Etuk said at 36th years of existence, Akwa Ibom State has recorded landmark achievements but calls for sober reflection on our journey so far, as a basis for critical evaluation that will enable us to further enliven the dreams of our forebears who toiled selflessly for years before the state’s creation became a reality on September 23, 1987.

“Quite remarkably, we have grown in leaps and bounds as a State since September 23, 1987, when the Almighty God through the administration of General Ibrahim Badamasi Balangao as President and Commander In-Chief of Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria created Akwa Ibom State.


“As we celebrate, it is worth reminiscing on the enchanting memories of the vision, selfless pursuits, dedication, sacrifice and faith of our forebears, traditional rulers and the successive leaderships of our People for the State creation. Through critical evaluation of our journey so far, we will be able to take our development further in line with the dreams of forebears.

“We hail our predecessors - the then Paramount Rulers, for their foresight in participating fully in the struggle and being the critical arm that signed the Memorandum of Demand for the State's Creation on February 25, 1978.

“Akwa Ibom State Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers therefore joins in paying immeasurable tributes to all our leaders, past and present, who came together despite challenges to agitate and ensure the attainment of our current political status as a State in the Nigerian federation.

“Today, we stand tall for the tremendous infrastructural and human capacity developments carried out by successive administrations in the State,” he added.

The President General therefore heartily rejoiced with the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, the government and the people on the momentous anniversary of 36 years of Statehood.

He expressed joy that to take the developmental trend in Akwa Ibom to higher heights; Governor Umo Eno has launched a blueprint, christened the A.R.I.S.E. Agenda and therefore called for massive support to enable the administration to achieve its laudable goals.

Stressing the need for the well to do in the society to assist the underprivileged, he said leaders should learn to help one another, by being charitable and impactful on their respective peoples and communities, rather than perpetually living in denials with the untruthful excuses that they gain nothing in the positions they occupy.

Oku Ibom Ibibio also charged the indigenes and residents to live peacefully with one another, eschew politics of bitterness, religious and ethnic biases so as to build a united and prosperous State.