Governor Lauds Journalists

The State Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio has commended the effort of the Journalists for the effective courage of the epochal visit of the President and commander in chief of the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, to Akwa ibom state.
Governor Akpabio’s commendation was recently handed down to them by the Chairman Publicity Sub-Committee of the presidential visit and Commissioner for Information and Social Re-orientation, Mr. Aniekan Umanah during a press conference he had with them.
He thanked the press not only for the wide publicity they gave during the two days working visits of the President, but also for the responsible manner they conducted themselves during the period.
Recalling the event, Chief Akpabio noted that Mr. President started inauguration immediately he landed Ibom International Airport. He commissioned the Phase I of Ibom International Airport, and the brand new dual carriage airport road before proceeding to Uyo, while People-oriented projects commissioned in Uyo included the financial district roads, flyover II and III, Nung Udoe Itak – Okoita road Phase I as well as the Ekim Itam – Idoro – Ikot Oku Ikono road, Phase I.
Other projects commissioned were, the brand new Ultra Modern Governor’s Lodge, 25km Abak – Ikot Elpene dual carriage way, 56 km Afaha Obong – Etim Ekpo – Iwukem road, Mobile Police base at Ukana – Essien Udim and a General Hospital in Ibeno among others.
Mr. President inspected the e-Library, underground drainage and flood control project at Itam. He laid the foundation stone for the PPP gas pipeline project at Ikot Abasi, commissioned urban roads in the same Local Government Area and formally switched on the Ibom Independent Power Plant.
During the commissioning, Mr. President left no one in doubt of his feelings, excitement and happiness as evidenced in his declaration of his confidence on Governor Akpabio-led Administration, describing him as a very focused and dynamic leader.
President Jonathan also lauded Chief Akpabio for the standard of project executed in the state and called on other State Governments to emulate Akwa Ibom State Government describing the project as a model in Africa.
He also commended the Governor for free, qualitative and compulsory education programme in the state noting that “anybody who invest in children education is investing in their future and that of the society.
Chief Akpabio saw the Journalist as a major stake-holder at the president’s visit, “without you, the visit would not have attained the level of success it did”, he added.
He therefore enjoined the Journalists to continue in their good work not to indulge in false writing in order to take the state to the next level.
Responding on behalf of the Journalists, the new NUJ Chairman, Mr. Joe Effiong thanked Governor Akpabio for carrying them along, saying they have been able to participate in the event successfully and promised to do more as the administration is going on.
He also thanked the State Government for assisting them in conducting free and fair election during their election, and endorsed Chief Akpabio beyond 2011.