Police Chief Makes Clarion Call to Indigenes to Arise and Build Akwa Ibom at 39
The Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Finance and Administration, Lagos State Police Command, DCP Anthony Placid, says there has been a renewed trust in the police-civilian relationship and partnership now, more than ever, going by the vision of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Tunde Disu.
He stated this while chatting with newsmen as the Special Guest of Honour at the 39th Anniversary Thanksgiving and Celebration organised by the Akwa Ibom State Community, AKISCOM, Lagos, to mark the creation of Akwa Ibom State.
According to him, the IGP, having recognised the importance of a friendly police-civilian relationship, as enshrined in the “Police is Your Friend” mantra, noted that the relationship would not have been realised if there was no cordial relationship between the Police Force and the civilian populace.
The Police boss noted that there is no other more powerful concept than the slogan of Akwa Ibom State, “Dakkada Nyung Bop,” meaning “Arise and Build,” which he described as a clarion call on all the youths and the entire people of the state to rise and shine.
He said it is also a message that the upcoming generation should rely on and build on what their forefathers established.
The former Police Public Relations Officer, however, prayed that the citizens should continue to be the pacesetters, as the state has been able to produce the first heavyweight boxing champion in the world, in the person of the late Hogan Bassey; the first heavyweight boxer, Samuel Peter; the first Inspector-General of Police, in the person of the late Chief Etim Inyang; and the first Force PRO, in his humble self.
He also stated that the first American Adviser to the President was equally an Akwa Ibomite and yet another, the first commissioned military officer in the Nigerian Army, the late Wellington Bassey. Hence, he prayed for the state’s indigenes everywhere to endeavour to sustain that tempo, remembering also that the state was the first in the federation to operate an airline, which has recently gone international.
He, however, expressed optimism that more are coming on the way with the coming of the deep seaport, and as the state cues into the emerging blue economy, with its long coastline, while the State Governor is setting the pace in other areas to elevate and make the state an enviable one among the others.
In his thanksgiving sermon and prayers, Apostle Centurion Ekpo JP of the Godswill Believers Ministries, who read from Matthew 2:1–10, said that, in his very early life, God had a covenant with David, but along the line, the covenant was not flowing well.
So, the Bible says the wise men came from the East because they saw the star leading them, but along the way, they branched where they were not supposed to, and the star disappeared, leaving them stranded, wandering and struggling until they came back to their senses, realised their mistake and called on God.
The cleric said it was at that point that the star reappeared, meaning that “every missing blessing of God missed is being brought back once a person is steadfast with God,” hence decreeing that whatever the devil might have stolen from a person must surely be restored.
From the Book of Job 20:15, the cleric read, “He had swallowed our riches and our rights, but today, they would all be vomited, because our Star of Recovery is back.” He affirmed that when the star comes, everything will be smooth and okay, thus proclaiming the blessings of God upon the state as she clocks 39.
In his chat with Radio Nigeria Correspondent John Obot, the President of AKISCOM, Dr Edet Ambang, called on all Akwa Ibomites to rise up, celebrate and be happy, as it is the Lord’s doing that the young state, which was created 39 years ago, is now mature, with laudable investments and new infrastructure development. He added that in Lagos, AKISCOM is waxing stronger, advancing in membership and welfare, and deliberately driving its “PROWES” Agenda.
He noted that the progress shows quality leadership and the fact that the Akwa Ibom people in Lagos actually accept his able leadership, noting that back home, His Excellency, the Governor, has aligned 39 infrastructural projects to be inaugurated, and those who could not travel home for the great celebrations can therefore join in the occasion.
Taking a look at the state in the next ten years, Dr Ambang projected that the state will become greater because, after 39 years, one can only hope for more achievements in terms of infrastructure, investment opportunities and job creation for the teeming youth population, hence seeing Akwa Ibom State becoming a more mature state among the others in the next ten years.
A Senior Citizen and Chairman of the occasion, Engineer Imeh Effiong Etuk, who charged the indigenes to brace up, take the bull by the horns and advance in all their undertakings in their various fields of endeavour, said he had never taken a back seat nor played a second fiddle in his endeavours.
He explained his academic background from kindergarten through the University of Benin, where he obtained a First Class certificate, hence urging fellow indigenes never to drop the ball, but to stretch out, conquer new horizons, excel and fix the name of Akwa Ibom State on the global map.
Engineer Etuk said it was a celebration of shared love, oneness and progress, as the state is growing daily and creating plausible impacts in the lives of the people.
Looking forward, the Senior Citizen projected that, to him, the sky is not the limit for the state, but just a starting point, noting that next year, nobody would be able to explain what the eyes would see, for God is going to use Governor Umo Eno, with his Arise Renewed Hope Mandate, to do many things for the state.
Commenting on the “Dakkada Nyung Bop” theme, he explained that the state is building up as a developing state. It is building humanity, the lives of the youth, women and children, while also building structures as the state rises every day and everything will be okay.
The high points of the occasion were the commendation awards given to two outstanding indigenes for their special support to the AKISCOM cause.
Mr David, a senior officer of a Lagos-based organisation, who sponsored the exercise books shared with members at the occasion, and another great son of the soil, Otuekong Ubong Jackson Essien, who sponsored the jerseys won at the recent novelty match organised by the forum in Lagos, were among those recognised.
In the words of President Ambang, “I didn’t dey! I didn’t dey! If you’re touched, come and do your own! Let the people see!”
Also, a posthumous award for outstanding service was given to a man described as a workaholic, selfless, energetic, detribalised and an all-embracing person, irrespective of who or where he or she came from while alive: the late Etubom Samson Unyime.
The anniversary cake was cut amidst pomp and ceremony, as the Akwa Ibom traditional musicians dished out old-time Ekombi tunes, while three beautiful, delectable and ebullient lady dancers, decked in their traditional decorative paraphernalia, danced gracefully to the applause and admiration of the people.
There was enough at the suya spot to chew, while food packs were passed around in a top celebration manner.
“Hip, hip, hurray!!! Akwa Ibom State is 39. More grace, more peace, and sprawling infrastructure and development ventures across all the LGAs of the state, for every citizen’s benefit and the generation unborn.
Happy celebrations to the AKWA ABASI IBOM STATE!!!!!
— JOHN OBOT, LAGOS.
