By George Ozalla

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has said the creation of Akwa Ibom State 39 years ago was the fulfilment of the long-held aspirations of the state’s founding fathers and the people who campaigned for its creation.

Akpabio stated this in a goodwill message to the government and people of Akwa Ibom State to mark the 39th anniversary of the state’s creation on September 23, 1987. Historical records also place the creation of the state on that date under the military administration of General Ibrahim Babangida.

In the message titled, “Akwa Ibom at 39: Celebrating Our Journey, Building Our Future,” the Senate President congratulated Governor Umo Eno, the government and people of the state on the anniversary.

He said the creation of Akwa Ibom was the culmination of years of sacrifice, advocacy and determination by the people who believed in their capacity to establish and build a prosperous homeland.

“Thirty-nine years ago the long-held aspiration of our forebears became reality with the creation of Akwa Ibom State. It was the fulfilment of a dream nurtured through years of sacrifice, advocacy, courage and an abiding faith in the capacity of our people to determine their destiny and build a prosperous homeland,” he stated.

Akpabio paid tribute to the sons and daughters of Akwa Ibom whose vision and struggles contributed to the creation of the state, noting that the state had grown from its modest beginnings into one of Nigeria’s consequential states.

He attributed the progress recorded in the state to the industry, ingenuity, hospitality and resilience of its people, saying Akwa Ibom indigenes had continued to distinguish themselves in public service, business, academia, the professions, creative industries, sports and other fields.

“Our greatest resource has always been our people,” he stated.

The former two-term governor of Akwa Ibom also reflected on his tenure as governor, expressing gratitude to the people for giving him the opportunity to contribute to the development of the state.

According to him, the period of Uncommon Transformation demonstrated what could be achieved when vision was matched with courage and public resources were deployed for the public good.

He said the infrastructure, institutions and human-capital investments made during the period were intended to provide foundations for succeeding administrations and generations to build upon.

Akpabio commended Governor Eno for sustaining the development of the state through the ARISE Agenda, particularly in the areas of peace, rural development, economic advancement and the welfare of the people.

He stressed that the development of Akwa Ibom should remain above partisan considerations, adding that every generation of leaders had a responsibility to build on what it inherited.

“I therefore commend Governor Umo Eno for sustaining the journey of development through the ARISE Agenda and for his commitment to peace, rural development, economic advancement and the welfare of our people,” he said.

“The progress of Akwa Ibom must always rise above partisan considerations. Every generation of leaders has a duty to add another storey to the edifice handed down to it.”

Akpabio said the 39th anniversary should not only be a period of celebration but also an opportunity for renewed determination to create more opportunities for the people, particularly young people.

He called for an Akwa Ibom where children could pursue their dreams, enterprise and innovation could flourish, young people could turn their talents into prosperity and communities could enjoy the benefits of development.

As the state approaches its fourth decade, the Senate President urged the people to remember the sacrifices of those who fought for its creation and work towards leaving behind a state greater than the one they inherited.

“The task before us is not merely to celebrate how far we have travelled, but to imagine how much farther we can go,” he said.

Akpabio, who also wished the state and its people a happy 39th anniversary, said Akwa Ibom was rising and expressed confidence that its people would continue to build a future worthy of the dreams of its founding fathers.

“Akwa Ibom is rising. And together, we shall continue to build a future worthy of the dreams of our founding fathers,” he stated.