Day A’Ibom youths celebrated Akpabio

The day was wet but the teeming crowd kept faith. Rather than scared away by the persistent rain, the people, like locusts, in different attires and banners, ...

reduced the spacious QIC Primary School, Eket to a small size – by their sheer number! It was Governor Godswill Akpabio's day of glory. 
Welcome to August 21, 2010. It was a rally put together by the Eket Federal Constituency Youths Forum, in honour of Governor Godswill Akpabio. The gratitude of the people from the area was so infectious that even the physically challenged were not left out in a motley of more than 157 youth groups that turned up. When the governor arrived about 3.41 p.m. the people were drenched thoroughly. But instead of protesting and shivering, they sang and danced jubilantly to the melodious tunes provided by the live band and cultural groups.
The youths, through the chairman of the central planning committee, Chief Usoro I. Usoro, said their federal constituency had never had it so good in terms of good governance. In a more satirical manner, Usoro who is also the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor said his 80-something year old grandmother had been made 20 years younger by Akpabio's policies and programmes. “ She now goes to hospital free; there's a borehole outside her door, so she no longer treks kilometres to the village stream; and just recently, she seized my mum's travelling- bag, packed in some old newspapers and headed to a primary school - to take advantage of the free and compulsory education!'' A round of laughter!
He zeroed in thus ''But seriously, sir, my grandma is only a metaphor representing the contemporary current flowing across the state. The excitement and spark you have brought through your deliberate people-focused policies and programmes is responsible for today's gathering. Though it is tagged 'Youths' Rally', the elders and the elderly are fully represented here because, like my grandma, they are very, very happy with your unprecedented achievements. Because of your youth-friendly policies, they wish they can be young again…'' According to him, '' Indeed, sir, as you know these are the foot-soldiers during the elections and electioneering campaign. So if they have gathered here today to assure you that you have no problem in this Federal Constituency as far as 2011 is concerned; then you can go home and sleep! They have succinctly declared that: Eket Federal Constituency is for Governor Akpabio… Specifically, we are here to validate God's will in the constituency and the state in general. By validation, we mean three things: commendation, confirmation and support'' An applause greeted the speech.
An elated Chief Nduese Essien, the Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, noted that some evil minded people were not happy that Akpabio was being celebrated for his good works. ''I know Akpabio's supporters are many. Yet, some bad people (kidnappers) tried to stop this rally. I challenge them to go and kidnap Akwa Ibom International Airport, flyovers, roads and Governor's Lodge, Uyo and other achievements of Akpabio administration''.
The Minister reminded the crowd that President Goodluck Jonathan had declared that Akpabio has performed better than any other governor in the Country. ''We're not here on a campaign rally, but we're here to encourage him to go ahead with the development programmes. As you can see, Akpabio has no campaign poster here. We long concluded our campaign because his good works campaign for him.”
Another prominent son of the area, Chief Samuel W. Edohoeket said: '' Your Excellency, we love you because you are the Moses of our time. Before now, governments in Uyo did not reckon with us. But since your arrival, you have restored our pride and our integrity. Your quality leadership has given momentum to good governance. While the politicians are planning for the next election, you are planning for worthy legacies. Thank you for being undaunted in achieving much for us'', he stated categorically. He repeatedly recited ''Akpabio for second term'' and the crowd loudly chorused. Then, he complained about the deplorable Eket-Ibeno Road; erosion menace; meddlesomeness in payment of oil spill compensation by council officials and dilapidated Government Secondary School, Afaha Eket.
The women, through. Obonganwan Mary Attah, poured endless encomiums on Akpabio particularly for the construction of roads in the area, payment of 15 per cent salary increment to teachers and free medical services for the pregnant and the elderly of above 70 years. Then, the royal fathers, through Edidem Timtingiko PapaUdo Enodien, the Paramount Ruler of Eket, lauded the effort of the youths in blazing the trail by organizing the rally for the governor who he described as the most popular governor in the country. Edidem Enodien who is also Chairman of the state Council of Chiefs said “Akpabio administration has brought many good things to us ''.
In a solidarity message, Senator Effiong Bob, representing Akwa Ibom North East in the Senate said Akpabio “ is the next person to meaningfully develop the area after the reign of the late Brigadier Udo-akagha J. Esuene, the first military governor of the defunct South Eastern State … For us (Akwa Ibom Caucus in the National Assembly), we have resolved that Akpabio should continue as governor in 2011'', the Senator added. And the crowd clapped thunderously.
After a colourful parade by the youth groups, Usoro invited the paramount rulers to help him present a unique gift of Samurai sword to the governor. While explaining that the principal philosophy of the sword as “duty”, Usoro said it would help his boss clear the way to 2011 in his resolve to dutifully transform the state in the next dispensation.
With the weapon firmly in his grip, an excited Akpabio said he was further encouraged to do more for the people. ''I came here to address the marginalisation and abandonment of the core oil-bearing communities by the previous administrations… I had thought I did only 49 roads in this area. The youths have reminded me that I have done more than that… The core communities have contributed a lot to Akwa Ibom and they should expect more from the government... My job is to give accessible and affordable health services to you'', he affirmed. On Eket-Ibeno Road , a major artery to Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited, Qua Iboe Terminal, Ibeno, he underscored the importance of the road to the state and pledged to partner with the NDDC with a view to dualising the road soon. He also added that Eket-Ekom Iman Road would be dualised during his second term in office.
On Amakpe Refinery, he said the state government had invested $10 million with the hope that its management would access the balance as promised from an American-based bank.