A’Ibom fortunate to have good leaders – CPS

Akpan Umoh, Uyo

Mr Ekerete Udoh, Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Gov. Umo Eno has attributed world-class infrastructure in the State to the quality of Governors in successive administrations of the state since the return of democracy.

Udoh said this when the new Executive of the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Akwa Ibom Council paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Uyo on Thursday.

He applauded the strides of successive governors of the state in key areas of road development, aviation, electricity, education, health, industrialisation and agriculture.

The CPS said that each leader has not just touched the lives of the people in all key sectors, but has prioritised development in areas of need of the state at each point in time.

“It is not an understatement that the state has been lucky with the quality of Governors it has produced since the return of democracy. 

“Right from Obong Victor Attah through Sen. Godswill Akpabio and Mr Udom Emmanuel and now Mr Umo Eno.

“The state has been blessed with quality leaders, who have translated their quality into the infrastructure renaissance we are seeing in Akwa Ibom today.

“Not only have they touched all key areas of health, education, agriculture, industry and infrastructure, but each of them has also focused on areas that were of utmost importance to the state at their own time.

“Akwa Ibom has become a reference point when you are talking about development within the sub-nationals in Nigeria.

“For instance, if you know how Uyo, the state capital was in the 80s, a glorified rural area with thatch and mud houses in some major streets with just one modest guest house in those days,” Udoh said.

Udoh said that Akwa Ibom is now a destination of choice for business and tourism while Governor Eno’s remained determined to implement his ARISE agenda, especially in the areas of agriculture rural development and social welfare.

He urged the media to key into the agenda by helping to promote its ideals, applauding the government in areas they have done well and criticising constructively in areas where performance is yet to meet set standards.

Udoh promised to assist the chapel in enhancing the working conditions of its members and its secretariat for good service delivery.

In his remarks, the Correspondents Chapel Chairman, Comrade Anthony Bassey called for a partnership between the State Government and Correspondents in the state.

Bassey called for the increased editorial relationship between the office of the CPS and the Correspondents Chapel in the state.

He added that such would not, however, jeopardise the quality and factuality of reports from the Correspondents about the activities and actions of the state government and its officials.

The new chairman used the occasion to inform the CPS of the many lofty programmes to be undertaken by his administration geared towards fostering greater working relationships between the Chapel and the state government and improving the welfare of its members.

Our Correspondent reports that those present at the meeting were; the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Mr Aniette Usen, Vice Chairman of the Chapel, Comrade Isaiah Eka, Comrade Udeme Utip, Secretary, Comrade Lovina Emole, Assistant Secretary, Comrade Iniobong Ekponta, Treasurer and Comrade Emeka Samuel, Financial Secretary.