My dear people of Akwa Ibom State,
My brothers and sisters,
Akwa Ibomites at home and in the Diaspora,
Today, I speak to you with a heart filled with gratitude.
Thirty-nine years ago, on the 23rd of September 1987, our beloved Akwa Ibom State was born.
Today, we stand together at 39.
Thirty-nine years of faith.
Thirty-nine years of resilience.
Thirty-nine years of sacrifice.
Thirty-nine years of progress.
And thirty-nine years of God’s unfailing Grace.
To God Almighty, therefore, belongs all the glory.
We have come this far because His mercy has endured.
And together as a people, we say:
Thank You, Lord.
A STATE BORN OF HOPE
When Akwa Ibom was created, our forebears did not inherit a finished State.
They inherited a dream.
They inherited hopes and aspirations.
They inherited challenges.
But they believed in the capacity of our people to build a State worthy of our history, our culture and our children.
Today, we honour those who laid the foundation.
We honour our past leaders.
We honour our traditional institutions.
We honour our workers, farmers, teachers, clergies, professionals, entrepreneurs and community leaders.
We honour every Akwa Ibomite who, in one way or another, has contributed to the progress of our State.
We are here because many hands built before us.
And because others built before us, we have a sacred duty to build for those who will come after us.
THREE YEARS OF SERVICE
My dear people,
Three years ago, you entrusted me with the leadership of this State.
I accepted that responsibility with humility.
I came into office with a simple conviction:
Government must serve the people.
Our ARISE Agenda was therefore designed not merely as a policy document, but as a covenant of service.
A covenant to build.
A covenant to empower.
A covenant to protect.
A covenant to create opportunity.
A covenant to ensure that government reaches the ordinary citizen.
Three years later, we have made considerable progress.
But today is not a time for triumphalism.
It is a time for accountability and gratitude.
Whatever we have achieved, we have achieved together.
Whatever remains to be done, we shall also confront together.
INFRASTRUCTURE THAT CONNECTS OUR PEOPLE
Across Akwa Ibom, our roads are changing the geography of opportunity.
Since May 29, 2023, our administration has undertaken, commissioned or continued work on more than 1,500 kilometres of roads, including 43 bridges.
These are not simply kilometres of asphalt.
Every road means a community brought closer.
A farmer brought closer to the market.
A child brought closer to school.
A patient brought closer to healthcare.
An investor brought closer to opportunity.
That is why we have deliberately taken infrastructure to our rural communities.
No community is too remote to matter.
No citizen is too far away to be remembered.
As part of our 39th anniversary celebrations, we are commissioning projects across the State, including roads, schools and healthcare facilities.
This is our understanding of inclusive governance.
EDUCATION: BUILDING THE FUTURE
We have continued to sustain free and compulsory education at the primary and secondary levels.
We are providing bursaries for our students, so far, N1.69b has been disbursed.
We have built modern model primary schools equipped with contemporary learning facilities.
We have recruited 3, 000 teachers, with further recruitment approved.
And we have advanced the transformation of the Akwa Ibom College of Education, Afaha Nsit, into a University of Education.
Why are we doing this?
Because I believe that:
The greatest resource of Akwa Ibom is not beneath our soil.
It is within our people.
Our children are our greatest investment.
Their education is our most enduring infrastructure.
Today, because governance is a continuum, we will fulfill a commitment made by the immediate past Governor, to award full scholarship to a brilliant student, Uwakmfon Unwana Jacob to pursue his education up to the university level. We will present him a cheque of N30m (full scholarship to study software engineering at Nile University, Abuja) during our Variety Night at the Banquet Hall of our Arise Palm Resort.
Another brilliant son of our dear state – Dr. Joseph Akpan, who was the Best Graduating Student in Medicine and Surgery, from the University of Uyo -2024-2025 academic year, whom I had promised full scholarship to pursue his masters degree in any foreign university, will be also presented a cheque of N160m tonight to cover his full scholarship. He is currently studying for his masters in Surgical and Intervention Science at the McGhill University, in Canada.
HEALTHCARE THAT TOUCHES LIVES
We are also strengthening healthcare delivery across the State.
We are investing in primary healthcare facilities and human resources, while advancing the development of the Ibom International Hospital.
We have deliberately taken healthcare interventions to underserved communities.
Because we believe that a person’s access to quality healthcare should not depend on where that person was born.
Government must be felt where the people live.
And healthcare must be available when our people need it. Today, 258000 people including the elderly have been enrolled in our State run- medical insurance scheme. Every local government has an ambulance service for emergency medical situations.
EMPOWERING OUR FARMERS
We are building an agricultural economy that creates wealth.
Through agricultural grants, equipment support, farm inputs, model farms and our Palm Tree Crop Revolution, we are laying the foundation for a new era in agriculture.
We have committed significant resources to support farmers -so far, 1,700 of them have been given grants and have approved the acquisition of hundreds of thousands of oil-palm seedlings as part of the tree-crop revolution.
We are determined to restore agriculture to its rightful place in our economy.
Our land must feed our people.
Our farmers must prosper.
And our young people must see agriculture not as a punishment, but as a business.
OUR YOUTHS: OUR PARTNERS IN PROGRESS
To the youths of Akwa Ibom, let me say this clearly:
You are not merely the leaders of tomorrow.
You are partners in building Akwa Ibom today.
Our administration has invested in youth empowerment, over 4,000 youths have trained at IBOM-LED and Dasac in skills development, entrepreneurship and grants totaling over N2b have been disbursed. Youth-friendly centres are being developed to channel the creativity of our young people into technology and the creative industries.
Our ambition is to create an environment where our young people can:
Learn here.
Create here.
Build here.
Invest here.
And prosper here.
GOVERNMENT WITH A HUMAN FACE
My dear people,
A government must never forget the vulnerable.
That is why we introduced the ARISE Compassionate Homes initiative.
Over 500 units have already been completed and handed over to some of the poorest and the most vulnerable citizens across the State, with financial support to enable beneficiaries to rebuild their lives.
We have also continued to address the inherited obligations owed to our retirees.
Of the approximately ₦111 billion in gratuities and other emoluments inherited, more than ₦98 billion have been paid by our administration to date. These are not merely financial figures.
Behind every payment is a family.
Behind every home is a human story.
Behind every intervention is a citizen whose dignity matters.
IBOM AIR: A SYMBOL OF OUR ASPIRATION
This month, we received the fifth aircraft acquired by our administration for Ibom Air, an Airbus A220-300.
For us, Ibom Air is more than an airline.
It represents confidence.
It represents enterprise.
It represents the belief that Akwa Ibom can compete in sectors once considered the exclusive preserve of others.
We are also preparing our international airport facilities for expanded operations.
Our ambition is to position Akwa Ibom as an aviation and economic hub in the South-South.
THE IBOM DEEP SEAPORT
We remain committed to the actualisation of the Ibom Deep Seaport.
We understand the expectations of our people.
We also understand the complexity of a project of this magnitude.
Our approach is to do it properly.
To follow due process.
To build the necessary foundations.
And to create an asset that will serve generations.
The Ibom Deep Seaport is not simply about constructing a port.
It is about creating a new economic gateway.
A gateway for trade.
For industry.
For logistics.
For jobs.
For investment.
For a new generation of prosperity.
We shall remain committed to this vision.
TOURISM AND THE NEW AKWA IBOM ECONOMY
Our State possesses extraordinary tourism potential.
Our beaches.
Our forests.
Our cuisine.
Our culture.
Our music.
Our hospitality.
Our people.
We are therefore investing in tourism infrastructure, including the Arise Palm Resort, the International Convention Centre, the Arise Shopping City and other hospitality assets.
Our objective is clear:
We want the world to discover Akwa Ibom.
And when they come, we want them to experience not only our beautiful places, but the warmth and dignity of our people.
Tonight, we will unveil the exciting programme for Christmas Unplugged 4.0, including the Akwa Ibom Christmas Carols, Choir Auditions, Ibom Kitchen concept, Mbopo Akwa Ibom, and the Christmas Unplugged theme. We will also unveil the raffle draw for LGA Performance Days and Food Showcases, introduce the website for daily activations and choir auditions, and climax the evening with the unveiling of the winning logo designs and a spectacular fireworks display.
POWER AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
We recognise that reliable electricity is fundamental to economic development.
Following the new constitutional and legislative opportunities in the electricity sector, we have established the Akwa Ibom Electricity Regulatory Commission and the Akwa Ibom State Electrification Agency, alongside a roadmap for improving electricity supply and expanding access to underserved communities.
This is part of our broader economic strategy.
Because businesses cannot thrive without power.
Industries cannot grow without power.
Young entrepreneurs cannot compete without power.
And families deserve a more reliable electricity supply.
We are therefore determined to do our part.
THE POWER OF PEACE
My dear people,
This is one achievement that we must never take for granted-
Peace.
Our peace is priceless.
Our unity is priceless.
Our brotherhood is priceless.
Let us protect them.
Political differences must never become personal hatred.
Ethnic differences must never become division.
We can disagree and still love one another.
We can belong to different political parties and still belong to one Akwa Ibom.
Because when the election is over,
Akwa Ibom remains.
When political arguments end,
Akwa Ibom remains.
When political offices change hands,
Akwa Ibom remains.
Therefore, let us always put our State above temporary differences.
GRATITUDE
Today, I want to say something very simple to you:
Thank you.
Thank you for your prayers.
Thank you for your patience.
Thank you for your support.
Thank you for your constructive criticism.
Thank you for your belief in our common future.
To our traditional rulers:
I say Thank you.
To our religious leaders:
Thank you.
To our women:
Thank you.
To our youths:
Thank you.
To our workers:
Thank you.
To our farmers and entrepreneurs:
Thank you.
To our professionals and business community:
Thank you.
To our brothers and sisters in the Diaspora:
Thank you.
And to every ordinary Akwa Ibomite whose daily sacrifice keeps this State moving:
This anniversary belongs to you.
THE AKWA IBOM OF TOMORROW
At 39, we must not merely celebrate where we are.
We must ask:
Where do we want to go?
The next chapter must be bigger.
Our task is to move from infrastructure to industrialisation.
From agriculture to agro-industrialisation.
From skills to enterprise.
From enterprise to jobs.
From investment attraction to investment-driven prosperity.
From tourism potential to a tourism economy.
From human capital development to a knowledge economy.
And from economic growth to shared prosperity.
That is the challenge before us.
And that is the promise of our ARISE 2.0.
A MESSAGE TO EVERY AKWA IBOMITE
My dear people,
The work of building Akwa Ibom cannot be left to government alone.
Government can build the platform.
But the people must build the future.
Government can provide roads.
Our people must create businesses.
Government can build schools.
Our families must value education.
Government can create opportunities.
Our youths must seize the moment.
Government can promote peace.
Every citizen must protect it.
The Akwa Ibom of tomorrow is therefore a shared responsibility.
OUR DECLARATION
Today on behalf of the Government and people of Akwa Ibom State, I declare:
We shall continue to build.
We shall continue to empower.
We shall continue to unite.
We shall continue to protect our peace.
We shall continue to invest in our children.
We shall continue to create opportunities for our youths.
We shall continue to support our farmers.
We shall continue to strengthen our healthcare system.
We shall continue to open up our rural communities.
We shall continue to attract investments.
And above all:
We shall continue to ARISE.
CONCLUSION
My dear Akwa Ibomites,
Thirty-nine years is not the end of our story.
It is another chapter.
A new chapter.
A chapter that demands courage.
A chapter that demands sacrifice.
A chapter that demands unity.
And a chapter that demands faith.
When future generations look back at our time, let them say:
This was the generation that did not give up.
This was the generation that built.
This was the generation that united.
This was the generation that believed.
This was the generation that moved Akwa Ibom forward.
So let us look back with gratitude.
Let us stand in the present with courage.
And let us face tomorrow with faith.
For the best chapters of Akwa Ibom’s story are not behind us.
They are ahead of us.
And together, we shall write them.
Together, we shall build.
Together, we shall prosper.
Together, we shall ARISE.
Happy 39th Anniversary, Akwa Ibom State.
May God continue to bless our people.
May He preserve our peace.
May He prosper the work of our hands.
May He strengthen our unity.
And may He make Akwa Ibom a greater light to Nigeria and the world.
Long live Akwa Ibom State.
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
God bless you.
God bless Akwa Ibom State.
God bless Nigeria.
Thank you, and God bless you all.
