Akwa Ibom state has joined the league of states in Nigeria with official symbols comprising a Flag, Coat of Arms, Anthem and a Creed.
The State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel unveiled the official State symbols as part of activities to commemorate the 33rd anniversary of the state creation at Banquet Hall, Government House, Uyo .
Speaking, Governor Emmanuel expressed appreciation to God for his benevolence to the state from inception, describing the 33rd anniversary as symbolic given the achievements recorded in the state within the past years.
He charged the people to exhibit virtues of unity and love to one another, saying that the bond has been the unique identity of Akwa Ibom people from time immemorial.
“I want to thank God for bringing us this far as a state . I spoke extensively on the significance of 33 and as a state named after God. It holds a whole lot of significance here in our state, the dakkada creed reflects the distillation of our unique identity and a call to take ownership of our destiny and for us to live the true essence of God’s plan for us.
“The launching of the state symbols and creed therefore is the crystallization of all that we as a people represent and shape ourselves forward; this is the land of great and God-fearing people, we are industrious, hospitable creative innovative, peaceful and blessed with good faith.
“…therefore as we launch this state symbols and creed it is my hope that a new Akwa Ibom identity will be unfold ; an identity of love and unity without the bed-ridden impulse to pull down ourselves or leaders”, he stated.
The Governor commended Speaker of the state House of Assembly and the House members for backing the usage of the state symbols with a legislation and particularly acknowledged the contributions of designers of the symbols and the panelists for coordinating the project.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and Chairman of the 12-man State Symbols Selection Committee, Mr Aniekpeno Mkpanang, said that picking out the three outstanding works that won the competition was a painstaking process.
Mr. Mkpanang who described the event as historic , expressed appreciation to Governor Udom Emmanuel for initiating the idea of the state symbols, explaining that the state symbols were adopted by the State Executive Council and passed into law by Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly after beuing selected by the committee.
” I feel it is befitting that we are having this presentation of state symbols on the anniversary of our state creation, I see it as an idea that was waiting for the right time to be born, it is therefore on this note that I salute His Excellency Governor Udom Emmanuel for not only initiating this noble idea but also ensuring that the process is brought to a successful conclusion”, he added.
The Akwa Ibom State flag which comes in three color combinations ; Orange, White and Green with Orange representing the vitality and viguor of Akwa Ibom people, White indicating peace, Green which stands for fertile land and abundance and the White Arrowhead representing charge and progress.
Mr. Nsikak Okon, a native of Ikono Local Government Area designed the State Flag while the State emblem was designed by Mbuotidem Ukpe from Abak LGA and the State Anthem composed by Dr. Iberedem Iwok from Oruk Anam LGA.
Designers of the state official symbols went home with the promised price money of one million naira each.
High point of the colourful event was hoisting of the state flag and rendition of the new anthem by Governor Udom Emmanuel.
