By Destiny Isong
The Oku Ibom Ibibio and President General of the Akwa Ibom State Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers, His Eminence Ntenyin (Dr.) Solomon Daniel Etuk, CFR, has charged the Senate President, Senator Akpabio to use his position as the number three citizen of the country to ensure that federal projects in Akwa Ibom, especially the Ibom Deep Seaport receive due attention.
The Premier Monarch made the charge on Friday, October 24, when Senator Akpabio, accompanied by members of the National Assembly, members of his family, and prominent Akwa Ibom political leaders paid him a courtesy royal visit at his palace in Ikot Ukobo, Nsit Ubium Local Government Area.
Ntenyin Etuk said, “First and foremost, I want to specially recognize the Senate President and the Distinguished Senators and friends who came with him; the Chairman of Akwa Ibom State Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers, and all the Traditional Rulers here present, you’re all welcome to the palace.
“His Excellency, I’m very delighted to have you in this palace, I appreciate that, you’ve come to pay homage to me and in extensions, your Royal fathers”.
“We know you, we know who Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio is, as a King, I know my children, I know the good ones and the bad ones”.
He said, “I want to use this stool to appeal before the Royal fathers, that Ibom Deep Seaport started sometimes ago is our major concern, it would create job opportunities for our children if implemented, please think about it seriously.”
Oku Ibom Ibibio also conveyed his special regards to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, through the Senate President, appreciating him on the gesture of making an Akwa Ibom son the Number 3 citizen in the country.
Ntenyin Etuk urged the Senate President to leverage on his position to ensure Akwa Ibom sons and daughters are trained, empowered and engaged in any employment initiatives.
On his part, the Senate President, said the visit initially intended as a private audience between him and Oku Ibom Ibibio, was deemed a significant reconciliation initiative, fostering love, unity, and peaceful coexistence among the people of Akwa Ibom State.
Senator Akpabio expressed gratitude to Oku Ibom Ibibio for the impressive reception accorded him and his entourage without prior notice, extolling the Akwa Ibom Premier royal father as a true epitome of peace and a unifying force.
“I am very happy to be here and I thank you my fathers for this grand reception of me and my entourage even at a very short notice. I am here today with my colleagues and family members, which shows that I am from here and my home is intact.
“Let me thank you for being a peace loving father. You are a man of peace. The most costly peace is better than the cheapest war,” he said.
Regarding the forthcoming 2027 elections in Akwa Ibom, Senator Godswill Akpabio had this to say.
“My visit to this Palace today is a major reconciliation move and will rekindle peace, love and unity in Akwa Ibom State. Akwa Ibom State under Governor Umo Eno is united because of his decision to link us to the centre by joining the APC. Let me assure you that I will support him 100 percent to succeed as a second term governor.
“Don’t listen to nay sayers and blackmailers. We are solidly behind him and that was why immediately he joined the APC, I personally handed over the structure of the party in the state to him, because when I was the governor, I controlled the structure. I will continue to work for the peace, unity and development of Akwa Ibom State”.
Members of the traditional institution in the state, including the State Chairman, HRM Akuku Saviour Udofia, JP, were also present during the visit.
