For ensuring that peace and stability returns to Akwa Ibom state, Governor Udom Emmanuel has been acknowledged as a ‘jewel’ worth celebrating in Nigeria.
The Governor has also been commended for remaining focused in developing the state in the face of the recent unfortunate occurrences in the state.
These commendations came from the Governor of Sokoto State, and Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Governors Forum, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, who was in the Akwa Ibom State Government House, with his counterpart, Dr. Bello Mutwalle of Zamfara State, on a condolence visit over the demise of former Military Governor of the State, Air Comdr. Idongesit Nkanga (rtd.), former Nigeria’s Chief of Air State, Air Marshall Nsikak Eduok and the state Chairman of the PDP, Obong Udo Ekpenyong on Sunday.
“Peace and development in the state have continued uninterrupted, Governor Emmanuel is a jewel to be celebrated, not just by the PDP, but Nigerian governors and leaders.
“I want to commend Governor Udom Emmanuel for re-establishing peace and peaceful co-existence in Akwa Ibom State.
“The State has been rid of cult activities, people are moving freely and mingling freely and you cannot buy peace.
“I commend Governor Udom for that, of course with the infrastructural development in the state it is really clear the imprints are all over the place people are happy and I believe that he has done a lot of giant strides in turning around Akwa Ibom we commend him and we are proud of him”.
Governor Tambuwal said further, “He is one of the jewels we celebrate anytime, any day; as governors of the PDP, as governors of Nigeria and as leaders.
“He is a voice in this country and we expected nothing less from him. He is a man for the future”.
The Zamfara State Governor, Dr. Bello Mohammed Mutwalle, also condoled with the people and government and people of the state, with whom he said, his people have become one family having joined the PDP for the first time.
Governor Mutwalle who said he was visiting Akwa Ibom state for the first time, admired the peaceful ambience of the state and called for prayers for the peace of all parts of the country.
He urged all Nigerians to unite against the challenges in some parts of the country occasioned by banditary and other formsl of criminality.
“Let us put out hands together. Let us forget all our differences. Let us be preaching peace wherever we find ourselves. We have to remain together. God did not make mistake in bringing all of us in one basket as Nigeria. Let’s try to protect our country”, the Zamfara Governor said.
Responding, the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, thanked the duo for identifying with him and the people of the state in the season of grief, describing their visit and kind words as an expression of love which, he added, cannot be taken for granted.
Governor Emmanuel also expressed the sympathy of his government to the people of Sokoto state over the recent inferno in the Shehu Shagari Modern Market, popularly called New Market, in the State, which led to wanton loss of lives and properties.
He however lauded Tambuwal’s peaceful disposition and wide range of experience in leadership. These, he said, were responsible for the coordination and peace in the PDP Governors Forum under his leadership.
He joined his Sokoto and Zamfara counterparts to pray for peace in the various states of the federation facing various degrees of violent crimes, particularly for Zamfara which, he said, was richly endowed with naturally resources that could not be converted to benefit the common man due to distractions and other circumstances militating against good governance.
“Let me on behalf of government and the good people of Akwa Ibom State share our sympathy on the recent happenings in the two States. The inferno at the market in Sokoto was something that made us devastated at a time we are looking for infrastructure. I also extend my sympathy to my brother Governor in Zamfara.
“I really sympathize with you over the level of criminality and banditary you have had to battle with everyday because if you compare the challenges with the resources that all of us have, it’s a far cry, but I thank God for the grace”, Governor Emmanuel stated.
“Zamfara, has a whole lot of mineral resources. We hope as PDP will come into the center in 2023 we should be able to harness all the resources for the benefit of the common man and for the people to have peace and prosperity in their daily lives” he added.
