Governor Chief Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State in Nigeria. He has blamed successive governments for the failure to develop programs that would curb violence in the Niger Delta., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.
Akpabio’s giant strides reap honours for Akwa Ibom
Friday, 09 March 2012 00:00
Nigerian Guardian
AKWA Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio, The Sun Man of the Year Award 2011, has been widely honoured and celebrated within and outside the state because of his investments in human and infrastructural development.
Since the Central Bank of Nigeria conferred recognised him as outstanding governor, he has emerged as one of the most honored governors. The Sun Newspaper Award, which he got on Saturday, February 25, was just one of those awards.
Among those at the ceremony were the former governor of Cross River State, Mr Donald Duke, former governor of Oyo State, Chief Segun Osoba, former governor of Akwa Ibom, Otuekong Idongesit Nkanga, Akwa Ibom Deputy Governor Nsima Ekere, Secretary to Government of Akwa Ibom and Mr Umana Umana.
At the Eko Hotel and Suites, the Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole commended Akpabio; “for the changes in Akwa Ibom.” He described the award bestowed on Akpabio as an honour well deserved.
Akpabio attributed his success story to teamwork as he dedicated his award to the thousands of children salvaged by his free, compulsory and qualitative education programme. He reiterated his resolve to make Akwa Ibom a model state. “I am building a model state. The will of God for Nigeria is development.”
In his speech, Akpabio noted the challenges he faced in 2011, as the opposition wanted to make the state hot and a lot of people thought Akwa Ibom would be a flash point during the elections. The peace in the state won him the Security Watch African award in Gambia 2011. Akpabio was honoured with a Gold Star Award for ensuring a safety – conscious state and regional government.
The Army top brass at the Nigerian Defence Academy, conferred on him the Doctorate Degree in Management Sciences, an honour for a civilian governor. Akpabio quipped, “because of me, the military are satisfied with civilian leadership and will never think of coming back (to power) again.”
Last November, the Federal Government conferred on Akpabio the national award of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON). Earlier honours include, Fellow of the Hussaini Adamu Federal Polytechnic, Kazaure, Jigawa State; Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, and doctoral degrees (Honoris causa) by the University of Uyo, University of Calabar, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka and University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
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