By Egufe Yafuborghi, Chioma Onuegbu

GOVERNOR Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State, his predecessors and leaders including Obong Victor Attah and Senator Godswill Akpabio, have thanked God for the existing peace and unity in the state after 37years of its creation.

They spoke on Sunday at the International Worship Centre, Uyo, during a special inter-denominational thanksgiving service, to commemorate 37th anniversary of the state.

Speaking, incumbent Governor Eno reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to institutionalising peace and unifying the various interests in the state, stressing unity and peace as the only ways to move the state forward.

His words, “For me, I came in peace, I came as a servant of the people and my prayer is that God who brought me at this time as a Pastor who knows I am called of the Lord will do and continue to do the work that he has sent me to do.

“We share same heritage, share common humanity, common sense of service to the people and we share a common heart. We have to stand by each other. That is the joy and the real spirit of the Akwa Ibomites.

“That is the work our founding fathers did 37 years ago. I will like to thank God for the privilege he had given us and the good health he has given all our leaders. And seated here today is Akwa Ibom of Nigeria.

“The joy that we have today is that we can have all our leaders come together under one roof to worship one God who has created Akwa Ibom State.

“We are here as Akwa Ibomites first, and we are bound by the love of our people to thank God that this state belongs to all of us. That’s my joy today and I believe God who has began this work will complete it.”

He paid tributes to former Military Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida, for heeding the call of Akwa Ibom’s founding fathers to create the state, urging the present generation to prioritise their identity as a people of common ancestry by being above divisive interests.

Former governor of the state, Obong Attah, expressed delight in how fast and far the Akwa Ibom has grown from creation, and appreciated Governor Eno for his deliberate efforts towards uniting the people.

Similarly, another former governor of the state and President of the 10th Senate,  Godswill Akpabio, prayed for continuous peace, unity and prosperity of the State.

Akpabio who was represented by his wife, Mrs. Unoma Akpabio, lauded the love and brotherhood existing among the traditional rulers in the 31 local government areas of the state.