Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State has assured the people of the state that he is not oblivious of the pains they are going through during this COVID-19 lockdown in the state.
The governor had a week ago announced a full enforcement of Akwa Ibom State Quarantine and Restrictions of Movement Regulations 2020 as part of measures to curb the spread of the pandemic in the state.
He recently announced the provision and distribution of palliatives to all residents of the state to alleviate the lockdown order.
In a statewide broadcast on the occasion of the 2020 Easter celebrations, Emmanuel said: “As your leader, I feel your pain. What affects you affects me and what affects me, affects you. The death of any Akwa Ibom person diminishes me. That is why we are fighting this COVID-19 pandemic with all the weapons in our arsenal. We trust God, that at the end of the day, not one Akwa Ibom person will die from this pandemic.”
Emmanuel, who expressed gratitude to Akwa Ibom people for the sacrifice they had endured to keep the state free from being ravaged by the virus said: “We thank you, my dear compatriots, for your cooperation in this determined fight to rid our state of this virus, COVID-19. We thank you for your sacrifices and deep understanding.”
Continuing he said: “It has never happened in our lifetime that free citizens have had to be locked down in their homes, their freedom of movement curtailed and social interaction, which is the basis of our communal life, stopped. It is unthinkable that our churches, businesses, offices and shops have been closed down. This is indeed a huge sacrifice.
“We thank you for enduring the pains. But you must remember that this season offers all of us in this lockdown the opportunity to look up to God for help and lock our faith in Him perpetually.”
The governor further urged that though a new lexicon of social distancing had been added to the vocabulary that should not be interpreted to mean love distancing.
He emphasized that no one in our neighbourhood should be deprived of the love and unity that this season calls for in view of the pandemic.
According to him; “The times have given us a new lexicon or a new-fangled phrase – social distancing – but thankfully, not love distancing.
Emmanuel also said: “We should therefore, ensure that not one person in our neighbourhood is deprived of this essential ingredient by virtue of this lockdown, which circumstances have forced on us. Let us bridge the gap of social distancing with the cords of God’s love in sharing our foods and groceries with our neighbours.”
The governor also assured the people that though these may be the times that try the hearts of men, but we dare not lose hope, adding; “Let us stand firm in the belief that this trial of our faith, though it be tried with the fire of a virus, shall be found unto praise and honour and glory at this season of God’s love.
“We must continue to stand together in unity as one people, having one state and worshipping only one God. We must turn again to the promise of Easter, which is that what God did in the resurrection of Jesus, God will do again for this blessed state.
“This state is on the rise, our people are equally on the move, the leadership is people and Christ-centric and our symphony of unity continues to ring louder and more enchanting. Let this lesson and impulse of love and amity drive us to find fortitude in our shared resolve and purpose in our common aspirations,” Emmanuel urged.
The governor, who also called on the people of the state to eschew hatred and all forms of bitterness, maintained that after this pandemic, “we will all look up to the hills and wonder from whence came our help.
“We would testify that our help came from the Only God who made Heaven and Earth, Who did not allow our foot to be moved.”
Governor Emmanuel emphasized that this is the time to reflect on Jesus Christ and wait upon Him, knowing that they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength even as he called on all to remain united and eschew all forms of bitterness and hatred.
The Governor, who expressed gratitude to the medical workers and security agencies at the forefront of the fight against the virus and maintenance of law and order said: “To our sons and daughters who are at the battlefront of our fight to rid our state of this virus, we salute your courage and appreciate the risks that you are taking to keep our society safe. We also salute the security personnel for maintaining the peace and security in our dear state, standing under scorching sun.”
