Ibom Air to get 10 additional aircrafts
Gov. Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom said on Saturday that the state planned to add 10 additional A220-300 series aircraft to the fleet of Ibom Air. He revealed the plan when he spoke at an event marking the 85th birthday of Obong Etim Abia, the Paramount Ruler of Eket in Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom. He said as he his leaving there, they would sign fresh agreements that would give 10 brand new A220-300 Air Buses, so that even when he leaves office, it would remain an enduring legacy.
The governor also talked about his determination to ensure that quality was not compromised in the Eket Stadium project, the International Market project, roads and other development programmes in the area. He stressed that the peculiarities of the Eket terrain were taken into consideration before projects were approved to be sited in the area to ensure that they stood the test of time. He appealed for patience from Eket residents, while reassuring that all the projects would be delivered and appreciated long after his tenure. Gov. Emmanuel decried the fact that climate and weather conditions, the COVID-19 pandemic and other natural occurrences had impacted on the pace of work.
The governor explained people have said a lot of things about developments and projects. Your Majesty, he said, they have had major challenges in the past two years that they never envisaged in governance. In 2020, nobody could do much because of COVID-19. In 2021, they were poised for infrastructure development, but the volume of rainfall has been unprecedented.
He congratulated the Obong on his 85th birthday and spoke glowingly of the endearing characteristics of the Eket patriarch. The governor said in life, he watch out for two things in any leader and in any human being; character and charisma. As a paramount ruler, the Obong character to him was hi charm that inspires devotion in others, including him.
He said that the Obong's charisma also attracted and endeared others to him, adding that the paramount ruler was blessed with both attributes. Gov. Emmanuel lauded the Eket royal father's initiative of using the special event to honour some illustrious sons of the land with the prestigious title of "Mkpisong Ekid''. He expressed appreciation of the support of his Eket people and urged all stakeholders to do their best to maintain peace so as to draw more positive development to the area.
On behalf of the government and good people of the state he said happy birthday, ''Your Majesty and long live the King'' he said. In his birthday speech, Obong Abia expressed appreciation to God, to his wife and to his family. He thanked Gov. Emmanuel and Eket leaders for their support and commitment to serve Eket people, Akwa Ibom and by extension all Nigerians.
Expatiating on the honour bestowed on awardees, he said the title, "Mkpisong'' literally means Pillar of Progress and Leading Light in the community. One of the recipients, Mr Frank Archibong, thanked the Obong for finding him worthy of the award of honour and promised to do more to support his community and Akwa Ibom. Archibong is the Akwa Ibom Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.He described the Obong as an astute administrator who had brought his wealth of experience to bear on the leadership of the traditional institution across the state.
