ABUJA — Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State, has charged Akwa Ibom delegates to the national conference to be united and defend the unity of Nigeria as an indivisible entity.

He urged them to show patriotism in their deliberations at the conference.

Governor Akpabio gave the charge in Abuja during a meeting with delegates from Akwa Ibom State on the eve of the conference in Abuja.

He commended President Goodluck Jonathan for convening the national conference, adding that it would afford Nigerians the opportunity to design a road map for the country.

He said “as a state, we have confidence in your ability to represent Akwa Ibom well and make us proud. I urge you to remain united and speak with one voice on issues that affect us as a state.

“I  commend President Jonathan for his foresight in convening this conference at this point of our national life and I am confident that Nigeria will emerge from this conference more united as I expect that every issue that has confronted us as a nation would be discussed frankly and resolved amicably,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of the delegates, former military administrator of the state, Atuekong Idongesit Nkanga thanked the governor and the President for their nomination as delegates to the conference. He pledged the delegates’ resolve to be good ambassadors of Akwa Ibom State at the conference.