…Commends gov Emmanuel over achievements

By Chioma Onuegbu

ELDER statesman and a former Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Chief Nduese Essien has explained that the reason he was absent at the 35th anniversary celebration of Akwa Ibom State weekend was because it is not one of his priority events.

Essien who made the remark weekend while responding to a questions from newsmen in Uyo, stressed that the state was created for development, and not for annual anniversary celebration

He added that the 62nd anniversary of Nigeria’s independence may also be celebrated on October 1, despite the fact that the country is now worse of than at independence.

He, however, commend governor Udom Emmanuel for his developmental strides, particularly for the sustained growth and stability of the State owned Airline, ‘Ibom Air’.

His words: “I congratulate the governor, Deacon Udom Emmanuel and the people of Akwa Ibom State for the level of development the state has attained over the 35years of its existence. I want to also appreciate the governor for the various infrastructural projects.

“Notable among them are the recently commissioned 10 lane Ring road,  the Uyo-Ikot Ekpene road and several other roads and projects. The governor would have even done more, but for the perennial distractions caused by antagonists, at times for no just cause.

“I call on Akwa Ibom people to reduce the distractions in the remaining period to enable him (governor) to tidy up his programmes, and projects for the benefit of the state.

“On my absence during the 35th anniversary celebration of the state creation, let me say here that anniversary celebration is not one of my priority events. The state was created for development, not for annual anniversary celebration.

“All States created in Nigeria’ have long stopped anniversary celebrations. Akwa Ibom was created the same day with Katsina State. While Akwa Ibom continues with the annual anniversary celebration of state creation Katsina State does not.

The one time member of House of Representatives, noted that the resources spent on annual anniversary celebrations could be applied for further developments instead of wasting it away in frivolous anniversary celebration activities.

“Nigeria at 62years of Independence may also be celebrated on October 1, despite the fact that the country is now worse off than at independence.

“With our country in the throes of bankruptcy, insecurity, economic meltdown, disunity and mutual distrust, educational dislocation and universal corruption, there is no basis to celebrate anniversaries of Nigeria’s independence.

“However, the truth is that these celebrations are instigated and encouraged by people in government who see them (anniversary celebrations) as avenues of siphoning idle money into their pockets”, Chief Essien lamented.