A’Ibom Shining Example Of Unity, Devt – Akpabio

President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has described Akwa Ibom State as a shining example of unity, development and progress in Nigeria.

Akpabio stated this on Tuesday in Uyo as Special Guest of Honour at the official commissioning of an Airbus A220-300 series aircraft acquired by Ibom Air at the Victor Attah International Airport.

In a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Jackson Udom, the Senate President said the acquisition marked another milestone in the state’s growth trajectory.

“With the commissioning of today, Akwa Ibom State has become the shining example of unity, development and progress in Nigeria,” he said.

Akpabio lauded Governor Umo Eno for his commitment to infrastructural and human capital development, particularly efforts to train Akwa Ibom youths for careers in aviation.

“Let me thank Governor Eno for what I have seen here today, particularly the number of Akwa Ibom children you are training to join the aviation industry. I am seeing Eno in me. He is also seeing himself in me,” he said.

The Senate President also commended the governor for completing projects inherited from previous administrations.

“Thank you, Governor Eno, for not abandoning the money of Akwa Ibom people. You have decided to complete all projects initiated by previous administrations. This shows that you are truly a man of God,” Akpabio said.

He further applauded the Chairman of Ibom Air, Captain Mfon Udom, and the airline’s management for the fleet expansion, describing it as gratifying.

Akpabio pledged to work with the state government to advance development, saying he was determined not to repeat past rifts between governors and the President of the Senate.

“As a good student of history, I have made up my mind that rather than fight with my Governor, I will join hands with him to develop our state,” he declared.

He added: “I stand on ARISE in this state and at the federal level, we all stand on the mandate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The unity of this state remains paramount.”

Akpabio also thanked former military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, for creating Akwa Ibom State.

Earlier, Governor Eno thanked Akpabio for honouring the invitation and declared September, the month the state was created from the old Cross River State, as the “Month of Appreciation.”

He charged citizens to thank God for how far the state had come.

Describing the new Airbus as part of Ibom Air’s fleet expansion drive, Eno appreciated past leaders “for the vision they espoused and the pathway they created, leading to this moment where, with the finisher’s anointing, we are expanding the growth of our aviation industry.”