By Ndifreke P. AKPAN
Governor Udom Emmanuel has reassured that his administration will continue to pay premium to qualitative education promising that the state will take the lead in the next national senior school certificate examinations in the country.
During a mega rally and reception in his honour by youths of the old Abak Division comprising five local government areas, Governor Emmanuel who pledged to continue rebuilding education infrastructure to give rise to qualitative learning in the state, announced the availability of another opportunity for youth training on technical areas.
The rally at the Abak township stadium, which featured a defection of over 20,000 members of the All Progressives Congress to the Peoples Democratic Party and endorsement of the Governor’s re-election, was witnessed by a mammoth crowd of supporters from around the entire state.
A visibly elated Governor Emmanuel, flanked by his wife, Martha, explained that his administration has just signed an agreement for the establishment of a Technical Centre worth about 18 million dollars to be located around the Mkpat Enin and Oruk Anam Local Government axis, and said the project will commence in the next few weeks.
The Special Technical School located at Oruk Anam, the planned Industrial Estate in Abak and the Launching of a Pilot Scheme May this year to make sure at least minimum of two Local Government Areas in Abak 5 have electricity round the clock through the extension of transmission lines from Ikot Ekpene to Ekparakwa in Oruk Anam are some of the efforts aimed at the development of Abak 5, the Governor explained.
He decried the current situation that when oil is needed, Akwa Ibom becomes the location but when directors are wanted in the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation NNPC, those in authorities look elsewhere was not in the best interest of the state.
Governor Emmanuel stated that the only evidence he wants to show Nigeria is that by next year’s Senior School Certificate Examination, the best result will come from Akwa Ibom noting that the State Government has tried to galvanize and make sure employments are generated for the people.
Governor Emmanuel while listing some of his achievements in the five local government areas of the old Abak division, including major road infrastructure explained that he had earlier assured his predecessor that those things he could not complete during his tenure would be handled by the present administration as government is a continuum.
Governor Udom Emmanuel thanked those who decamped to the PDP and noted that their action marked the end of any other political party in the state.
The Governor also commended the organizers and the entire people of the area for the endorsement and the reception for him and the wife.
Governor Emmanuel who advised those nursing ambitions for elective offices in 2019 not to go against zoning which the party professes, and encouraged the youths to lay down their arms and embrace peace, unity as well as development.
He thanked the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio, other legislators from the state, Commissioners and other stakeholders for taking part in the event.
Earlier, the Chairman on the occasion and PDP National Legal Adviser, Barrister Emmanuel Enoidem in an opening remark said the highpoint of the reception was for the people of Abak 5 to collectively endorse the Governor, their In-law, for a second term in office beginning next year.
The National Legal Adviser said the approval for a second term was occasioned by the capacity, ability, uniqueness, achievements in each of the five points agenda of the Governor and many other sectorial successes by Governor Emmanuel in less than three years in office.
Barrister Enoidem said the Governor had consolidated on Infrastructural development while working to inaugurate the first fertilizer blending plant in Abak and shown that it is possible for a successor to lead the state without rancour with his predecessor in office.
According to the former Commissioner, “you are a man chosen by God and no man is strong enough to take the mantle away from you. Do not be intimidated, Obong Victor Attah did 8 years, Godswill Akpabio did 8 years and your own will not be different.”
He pronounced the endorsement of Governor Emmanuel for a second term in office, reiterating the resolve of the five local government areas to deliver 300,000 votes to the Governor in 2019.
Barrister Enoidem also announced the endorsement of the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio for a second term as approved by the people of the five local government areas, because of his superlative performance in the red chamber.
The former APC members while speaking through their leader, the Director General of the party’s state Campaign Organization in 2015,
