By Nsidibe AKPAN
It was pomp and pageantry as the Akwa Ibom State Assistant Organizing Secretary of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Elder Emmanuel Effiong George, and wife, Justina, marked a double-honour birthday celebration in grand-style.
The colourful event, which took place at his country home in Oron Local Government Area, attracted top stakeholders of the party including the Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Princess Felicia Bassey.
Elder George, himself a former Chairman and Secretary General of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in the state, thanked God for his life and that of his family, particularly his wife.
“I was born on the 27th of July, my wife was also born on the same date. It is only the year that differs. We have decided this time around to celebrate and thank God for His mercies and goodness in our lives. It is so significant that we share the same date and God also joined us together in marriage. Since we got married, we have got no tension. We love ourselves. God has blessed us with children, five of whom are graduates. I want to thank everyone for coming to share in our joy,” he said.
The celebrant also used the opportunity to thanked the PDP and Governor Udom Emmanuel for finding him qualified to serve as a state officer of the party.
In his words: “I want to thank our great party, the PDP, and Governor Udom Emmanuel who has found me qualified to be a state officer of the party. I pledge to render all I can to make the party greater than it is. We have been working to ensure the progress of Akwa Ibom State, assisting past administrations and currently, working to ensure Governor Udom Emmanuel succeeds in his industrialization drive. I have been following the Udom Emmanuel’s administration from its cradle. I am his great supporter. I really appreciate what the Governor is doing in the state. He is taking Akwa Ibom state to greater heights.
I also want to urge the newly sworn-in Commissioners and other members of the State Executive Council to help the Governor achieve his completion agenda.”
In her remarks, the Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Princess Felicia Bassey, congratulated Elder George and wife for staying together in love and urge them to remain faithful to God.
The Deputy Speaker also encouraged the couples and remind them of those who are in the hospital.
“I thank God for adding another year to your years. Remain faithful to God and you will continue to enjoy His blessings. Go to Iquita Hospital, let them open the special rooms, you will see people who wished to be here but cannot and you will appreciate the love of God. I wish you a happy birthday and hundred more years on earth because hundred is excellent. That is my wish for the two of you,” she added.
Dignitaries at the event included Chairman of Okobo Local Government Council, Hon Ubuo Ubuo; Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Religious Matter, Rev Daniel Akwatang; former House of Representatives member, Chief Peter Linus; Special Assistant to the Governor on Project Monitoring, Martins Inyangetor; party faithful and among others.
