Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State has reiterated his commitment to creatively harness the resources of the State to achieve his vision of wealth creation, employment generation and industrialization.
The governor stated this at a Solemn Assembly organised to usher the state into the New Year and re-dedicate the State to God at the Ibom Hall Grounds, Uyo.
He said his administration is on course to achieving sustainable development through industrialisation and that the convocation of the Solemn Assembly is to seek divine guidance and invite God to superintend over the affairs of the State for successful implementation of the programmes of the administration.
The state Chief Executive announced the continuation of the free and compulsory education programme with a touch of class for quarter and implementation of vocational training programmes for youths.
Governor Emmanuel called on the people to rekindle the pride of brotherliness, love and unity and reject in totality every antics of the enemy particularly those devising means of taking the State back to the days of servitude and stated that Akwa Ibom people can not afford to be fooled again.
He spoke of the recurrent blackmail and propaganda perpetuated by the opposition with the intent of sowing seed of discord to fragment the existing bond of unity in the state and called on the perpetrators to desist from such act stating that there is no vacancy at the Hill Top Mansion.
He said Akwa Ibom people are determined to preserve the Divine mandate given to him during the 2015 April election and prayed God to bless the State with development and prosper the people.
Earlier, the President Akwa Ibom State Chapter of Christian Association of Nigeria, Bishop Cletus Bassey, commended the state government for sustaining the annual dedication of the State to God through a Solemn Assembly. He noted that the Service marks his last outing as the Chairman of the Christian Body and commended the State government for placing God at the Centre of it activities.
Reverend Ntia Ntia of the Full Life Christian Centre Uyo, who preached on theme “the blessing of a new beginning”, said that new year signifies new beginning and that for one to benefit from the blessing of the new beginning, one has to seek God in righteousness, study is words and worship him.
This, according to him, would fasten the opportunity to access divine blessing and direction and called on the people to let go negative experiences of the past to embrace in faith new opportunities that come with the season of the new beginning.