Despite Security Challenges, Ekpo Calls A’Ibom Peaceful State

Vanessa Obioha

The Deputy Governor of Akwa-Ibom State Moses Ekpo has described the South-south state and its environs as peaceful.

He made this known during the 11th Annual Diocesan Synod of Methodist Church Nigeria, Nkek Abak where he spoke loftily about the achievements of the governor of the state, Udom Emmanuel.

According to him, the state has experienced security challenges in places like Ukanafun and Etim-Ekpo.

“In other states where we have witnessed a full-blown crisis, it all started in more or less the same way. But here God has answered our prayers by helping us nip these looming incidents of violence in the bud. Even the most recent crisis in Essien-Udim has been so miraculously resolved that it is impossible not to see the finger of God at work,” he said.

“With peace and security in the state,” he added, “development has been witnessed in all its ramifications.”

Such developments, according to Ekpo include the launch of Ibom Air, the first state government-owned airline business in the country, which is currently making waves and getting set to expand its operational routes into the West African sub-region.

“Another important feat of this administration is the ultra-modern International Worship Centre, which Governor Udom Emmanuel himself has described as ‘an altar unto the Lord’.”

He rolled out other abandoned projects in the state that have been revisited by the administration such as the 10,000 seater capacity Ibom Tropicana Mall; the Four Point by Sheraton Hotel, Ikot-Ekpene and the Uyo/IkotEkpene Road.

There is also the Fertilizer Blending Company in Abak, the Jubilee Syringe Manufacturing Company and the flour mill in Onna, St. Gabriel Coconut Plantation & Refinery in Mkpat-Enin Local Government Area, and the Electric Digital Metering Solutions Manufacturing Company, amongst others.

He also acknowledged the prompt response of the state to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“In Akwa-Ibom, we did not have to wait for Covid-19 to awaken us to the need to watch and pray. The ‘Only God’ battle-cry which is typical of the Udom Emmanuel administration, anticipated the current urgency.”

Ekpo attributed the peace and security in the state to the fervent practice of the administration to watch and pray which reflected the theme of the event.

“Our dependence on God through vigilance and prayer actually originated from the Akwa-Ibom Church Fathers. The church Fathers, including you at this Synod, have also been instrumental in sustaining our prayer life through frequent resort to prayer in the course of this administration.”

Quoting scripture, he said that the people of Akwa-Ibom had “prayed and watched and God reacted, first, by giving us Akwa-Abasi-Ibom State, a development which was nothing short of a miracle. What about our victory over the nefarious on-shore/off-shore oil dichotomy, a victory which we snatched off the very jaw of defeat by turning the entire state into a huge prayer ground. And then this administration, whose very advent; and, more so, its return for a second term have been a matter of answered prayers,” he said.