A group of young professionals in Akwa Ibom State and beyond, the G35, is set to honour the former governor of the state, Udom Emmanuel, after eight years of service to the state.
The honour, which also includes the launch of a 300-page magazine publication, is scheduled to take place in September 2024 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
The chairman of the organising committee, Reverend Jame Akpan, said the publication will include the landslide projects and other achievements of the former governor across the three senatorial districts of the state during his eight-year tenure.
Addressing journalists in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state capital, on Friday, Akpan said the G35 is a non-partisan and non-governmental group.
He said, “We want to celebrate our former governor, Udom Emmanuel, and let him know that during his eight-year tenure, he touched positively on the lives of Akwa Ibom indigenes across the 31 LGAs.
We have come together to celebrate a great man and politician. We are not partisan or non-governmental.
We are committed to celebrating a great man who touched the lives of every citizen across all sectors of the state economy.
He established Ibom Air and sustained it. Today, Ibom Air is one of the leading airlines in Africa. We look at his achievements in the industrial sector, in road construction, education, agriculture, capacity development, entertainment, economic development, and job creation for the teeming youth population.
There is no part of Akwa Ibom you will visit where you won’t see the footprint of Udom Emmanuel. This is what we put together to honour him for a job well done. This is a point of reference to celebrate leaders who have done well serving the people.
Udom is one governor who has announced Akwa Ibom to the world. Akwa Ibom, today, has become a centre of attraction for both indigenes and non-indigenes across the world.
We come together to celebrate the former governor based on the conviction that this man needs to be celebrated to become part of the history of the state.”
The secretary of the event planning committee, Mrs. Justina Udo, who represented Ikot Ekpene and Uyo senatorial districts, said the event will be the mother of all celebrations for the former governor.
She stated that the developmental projects embarked upon by the former governor during his eight-year tenure cut across the nooks and crannies of the state.
She added, “Every part of the state felt the presence and impactful leadership of former Governor Udom Emmanuel. The former governor is one of the best friends of the state in terms of appointments.
“No senatorial district was left out of the appointment while he prioritised human development, security, infrastructure, and education, and also ensured that the state was marketed globally.
“The event is coming up in September. The market union leadership has mobilised market men and women across the state, while the transport unions are eagerly mobilising their members and the masses for the event.
“A team of academicians and top media executives is working round the clock on the Udom Achievements magazine.
“The beautiful thing is that nobody sponsors this project; it’s a self-sponsored project. We want to tell the world that the former governor is our own and that we love and appreciate him.”
The event publicity secretary, John Etuk from Oron Nation, said the event is packaged to reward excellence in public service.
He said, “This is a message to political leaders that if you do well in serving the people, you will be celebrated.
“Whether you are the local government chairman or, in any capacity, have served your people diligently, you will be so honoured by them.
“The greatest celebration is that which the people accord you when you are out of office. This means that they are not expecting any gratification.
“We will continue to celebrate our former governor. This is going to be a three-in-one honour involving both indigenes and non-indigenes and religious leaders.”
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