Information Minister Rains Judgment on Akwa Ibom

Linus Effiong

The Minister for Information and Communications, Prof. Dora Akunyili said that Gov. Akpabio’s achievement on what she described as massive transformation within a very short period in office as the Governor of the state.

                She regretted that most leaders in the country lead as if they would not be recourse to their programmes and activities after their exit from office. The information boss particularly commended Gov. Akpabios’ achievement in all sectors ranging from health, education, road construction, electrification, human capacity building development among others.

                Prof. Akunyili also commended the effort of the state government in supporting broadcasting activities in the state by presenting digital broadcasting van to the Akwa Ibom State Broadcasting Commission (AKBC).

                The Chief image maker for the federal government lamented the manner at which Nigerians are treated wherever the green passport is presented. “We are identified based on the stories of few criminals and based on this; Nigerians were given the opportunity to select the logo for the rebranding campaign which is Nigeria: Good People, Great Nation”. According to her, the rebranding campaign is rooted in attitudinal change, reorientation, respect and patriotism for our great country Nigeria. “We must rise up and tell our story by ourselves and project our good values, culture, good things that are happening in our country to the outside world and call on Nigerians to join hands with our brothers in the Diaspora to give the country a good name and image, she urged.

                She further commended the effort of the federal government for setting up anti-graft agencies like EFCC and ICPC to fight corruption as well as NAFDAC to fight fake drugs. These, according to her, are efforts tailored towards rebranding Nigeria. Also speaking, the Chairman of the occasion and the pioneer Minister of the Niger Delta, Obong Uffort Ekatte commended the prospect and programmes of the present administration in the state, saying that Akwa Ibom has been transformed from land of promise to the land of fulfillment.

                He spoke frankly that despite the fact that few Nigerians had in other times  given the country a bad name, that this is the right time to start the rebranding campaign as Nigeria is working towards vision 2020, He commended the Apostle of rebranding in her efforts in fighting fake drugs and championing the rebranding campaign.

She assured Nigerians that her ministry has carried the rebranding campaign to writers, Nollywood stars, school, traditional rulers and Ministry for Foreign Affairs in all the 105 embassies in the world.

Mrs. Rebranding Nigeria charged Nigerians to hand over to the coming age a country whose citizenship can be taken to outside countries without molestation.

In his reaction, the chairman of the occasion and the pioneer Minister of the Niger Delta Affairs Ministry, Obong Ufot Ekaette commended the programmes of the present administration in the state added that Akwa Ibom has been transformed drastically. The Minister regretted that despite the fact that few Nigerians had over time given bad image to the country do not mean that it is all together true. He expressed the hope that with the effort of rebranding project, Nigeria image abroad would change. He commended Prof. Akunyili in her efforts in fighting fake drugs and championing the rebrnding campaign.

                Also speaking the speaker of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Engr. Ignatius Edet presented a solidarity message and conveyed the resolution of the house to the governor.

                He started by commending the Akpabio led administration in the area of massive road construction across the three senatorial district. And announced that the new governor’s lodge has been 100% completed and presented the key officially to the governor.

                Speaking on behalf of other parliamentarians both in the state and National Assembly, Senator Effiong Bob pointed out clearly that if everything is not “Ok” in the state, parliamentarians will not attain the function. He further commended Chief Godswill Akpabio efforts in the state and seconded the motion raised by the speaker of the state Assembly for the support of Akpabio second tenure in office.

                In his welcome address, the State Commissioner for information and social reorientation, Mr Aniekan Umanah commended the foresight of the minister in embarking on the rebranding project and called on all and sundry to support the rebranding initiation. Also pointed out that Akwa Ibom State had not relented in her efforts to champion the right of Akwa Ibom child, health care, infrastructural development, jingles, seminars were put in place to champion the rebranding campaign in the state, stressing that rebranding is a continuous efforts.

                People from all walks of life attended the occasion including members of the National and state Assembly, Service Chiefs, Royal fathers, clergies, local government and media executives.

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