The Cross River State Governor Sen Bassey Edet Otu, has hailed the former governor of Akwa Ibom State Sen Godswill Obot Akpabio over his legacies in the state.
Governor Otu stated this while speaking at Sen Akpabio’s 61st birthday celebration which took place inside the main bowl of the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Otu who was the chairman of the occasion said the history of Akwa Ibom State cannot be written without Akpabio claiming several chapters.
He said driving through Akwa Ibom State, it appears to him as if the former governor left power just yesterday, but he left longtime ago.
According to him, “the history of Akwa Ibom State cannot be written without you claiming several chapters. Your signature and insignia dot the landscape of the state.”
As the chairman of the occasion, Otu used the opportunity to thank the people of the state for trooping enmase to celebrate their former Governor.
In her remarks, the First Lady of Nigeria, Oluremi Tinubu, described the President of the Senate as ” an extraordinary and uncommon man in our generation, said that the celebration of his birthday was an opportunity put in perspective his achievements in public offices.
She said his period as the governor of the state saw to the massive human capital/infrastructural development and poverty alleviation program, educational development.
According to her, Akpabio has continued to serve Nigeria diligently in the Senate. As the Senate President she said he has “deployed exemplary leadership, adding that he is committed to the principles of democracy, accountability and transparency.”
While lauding the present governor of Akwa Ibom State Pastor Umo Bassey Eno for exemplary attitude to politics,Tinubu said he is not playing politics, but unity and love for his people after elections.
“Let me thank you and your dear wife, for rising above partisanship to be here today,” she said.
“I call on other oppostion governors to emulate him in the overall interest and development of their people.”
Responding, the former governor of Akwa Ibom State and sitting president of the Nigeria Senate Sen Godswill Obot Akpabio recalled that when he was opportune to be the governor, 2007-2015, he did his best to turn the state around from a pedestrian state to a destination with uncommon touch.
He said that the gathering was a surprise home coming and expressed his gratitude to all for making this possible.
“The agenda of the 10th Senate is totally people-centric,” he said they will be more concerned in their decisions on the floor of the Senate on how to work to turn around the fortunes of Nigerians.
“Don’t thinks of the problems of today but the future. I see a better future for Nigeria.”
“As Senators we will work together to tinker, rejig laws for the overall betterment of Nigerians,” he said.
“Let us rise for a minute silence in honour of Nigerians, who lost their lives in the unfortunate bomb blast in Kaduna,” he continued.
“We also use this occasion to urge the relevant government agencies and well to do Nigerians, to assist the families of the deceased as well as those who were injured during the blast.”
“I thank you all for all these support, particularly our traditional rulers for their prayers which earned us victory at the poll.”
The birthday celebration was attended by the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi, Tinubu, wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima, Senators led by the Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, members of the House of Representatives led by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, State Governors, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, and the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Abdulahi Ganduje among numerous other dignitaries.