CELEBRATING THE 26TH BIRTHDAY OF AKWA ABASI IBOM STATE

It is exactly 26 years ago when a beautiful land was carved out of the then old Cross River State and she was named Akwa Ibom State because she was found surrounded by Qua Iboe Rivers and behold, it was a perfect name for a young state full of promises. The land of my birth, 'The Promised Land' as she's also known as, is blessed with both natural and human resources. The state has abundance of crude oil reserve and is arguably the number one oil and gas producing state in Nigeria. Apart from the crude oil, the state is also blessed with numerous of other natural and mineral resources such as palm oil, cocoa, plantain, banana, cassava and palm wine plantations to mention but a few. And the people of the state are industrious and hard working people who love fishing and farming as well as education and are known for their generous hospitality and delicious foods and delicacies that would make you tour the beautiful land over and over again. She's also a great dancer and is blessed with intelligent and pretty damsels admired all over the world whose brilliant dance steps would remind you of their gracious, generous and beautiful mother. Apart from the dance steps, beauty and other characteristics that they're known for, her daughters are also good and lovable cooks in such a way that if you eat their meals, oh my goodness! Your wife at home will be tempted to think you've been fed with 'ibok ima' or 'kup no mi' (a love potion) believed to have a magical power that makes someone forget their lovers immediately after eating it and start liking the one who give them...lol She also has great and respectable sons including me and my numerous honourable brothers but the one ringing the bell at the moment, can also be called the man of the moment. Having found himself favoured as the fourth son of the soil and the third elected civilian governor to pilot the affairs of the state, His Excellency, Governor Godswill Akpabio has transformed the state to an enviable height. He's been doing fantastically well for the state in the sense that a state that nothing or little was heard about in the past administrations is now reckoned among the fewer states in the country where dividends of good governance is very transparent to the point that her neighbours and lovers of good things speak in glowing terms about her son's remarkable achievements. The infrastructural developments in the state alone will convince you that the governor is working assiduously to carry everyone along. But as humans, short comings are always inevitable, and it's our prayers that our dear governor continues in his transforming agendas and keep transforming Akwa Ibom State to that dreamed and desired state of perfection; and may God bless and guide anyone who comes after him...Amen. And if you would like the state to favour you one day to manage any of her affairs in any capacity, just tell God to bless the writer of this article. Thank you! Happy 26th anniversary celebration my fellow Akwaibomites! Happy birthday to all who celebrate their birthday today! Long live Akwa Abasi Ibom State, long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria. God bless Nigeria and Africa!