Akwa Ibom people will continue to enjoy more dividends of good governance with more turnkey projects to be inaugurated during the 35th anniversary of the state creation and beyond.
The State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel gave the assurance while addressing worshippers at the September edition of the State Government Monthly Prayer Service, held at the Latter House Chapel, Government House, Uyo.
Speaking on the ongoing celebration of the state 35th anniversary, the governor highlighted some mega projects initiated and completed by the present administration despite harsh economic realities.
He expressed special gratitude to God for sustaining the state so far and called on religious leaders in the state to continue to heed biblical instructions and pray for peace, progress and development in the land.
Governor Emmanuel also paid tributes to past Akwa Ibom leaders of the state for their contributions at various points which, he maintained, have written the name of the state in gold in the comity of states in Nigeria.
He commended the people of the state for joining in the celebrations and re-affirmed his commitment to serve the people relentlessly till the very last day of his tenure, with evidences of good governance.
"Concerning our 35th anniversary, as the theme is, 'Moving Forward', we have lined up a lot of programmes that will run throughout this season so I will really appreciate if we can all participate. I really thank those who have been part of these activities in the past one week. In the past one week we have done what we call grassroot projects commissioning trying to connect with the communities.
“As we progress we will enter into the mega projects commissioning and we have discovered that we have to spread this to probably later in the year because we can't do all now", the governor said.
Governor Emmanuel cautioned the people on a new trend of criminality uncovered in some parts of the state in recent times, and called for more vigilance by both security operatives and individuals, urging residents to join forces with security agencies by volunteering information to enable them nib the issue in the bud.
According to him, "there is a new style of robbery now. They see a young lady and pretend that she ran away with their money so when passerby see they will not know she is being robbed. They use that to harass and dispose her of everything only for people to know later on that she has been a victim of robbery.
“Please note this is a new trend, once you see someone in distress try and help. I hope the security agencies will be up and doing. The best way to secure ourselves is to be alert."
The governor also called for caution in engaging domestic aides, vigilance over behaviour of family members, as insecurity aided by insiders could pose a difficult dimension of challenges.
"When security issues come from the household it is difficult to tackle. The worst is when it probably involves your driver, gateman, bodyguard, house help or anybody even your PA it will become difficult. Some of us just pick people anyhow no checking, no profiling.
Let's be watchful of the people we are recruiting to work with us", he warned.
Delivering an exhortation at the event on the theme: "Help, Lord", culled from Psalm 12:1-5, Bishop Effiong Ekoi admonished Christians to be conscious of the limitations of humans, even in knowing who to trust among close allies. This, he said, will drive them like the biblical King David to always seek God's help in their dealings.
The September edition of the government House prayer meeting also featured intercessory prayers for continued peace in the state and progress, direction for leadership and government functionaries as well as national stability.