Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State encourages affluent Christians to use the Christmas spirit as an opportunity to extend help to those who may have faced challenges in the state.
He specifically urged them to offer more than just hand-outs but extend a helping hand, enabling those in need to rise and collaboratively contribute to the overall growth and development of the state.
Governor Eno conveyed this message during his Christmas address to the people of Akwa Ibom on Monday, assuring them that the state would embrace the spirit of love and peace throughout the celebration.
He said, “We will continue to flow with the waves of love and amity and as you celebrate this day, please remember to reach out to those who may have fallen on the rough patches of life.”
While calling on the people to continue to live in peace and love one another as exemplified by Jesus’ love for humanity, the governor urged the people especially politicians to throw away the cards of hatred and other divisive tendencies.
He added “This is a season of joy and goodwill. I call on our people to continue to live in peace and unity and eschew tendencies that seek to divide us.”
“Politics is long gone. It’s now time for governance. We should bury and throw into the trash can, the cards of hatred, of whipping non-existence schisms, and of demonizing our leaders and symbols of authority.”
“From Ibibio to Annang lands, to Oro Nation, to Obolo, we are united and shaped by the language of love and unity. We are homogenous. Therefore, let no one throw poison into our otherwise calm waters of unity and kindred spirit.”
The governor also assured the people that his administration would continue to tackle critical ‘kitchen-table’ issues affecting families and prioritise the welfare of workers in the state.
“We will continue to pay special attention to our workers and also ensure that we create the enabling environment for Small and Medium Scale Enterprises, which is the engine of growth, in any economy to thrive.
“We will continue to tackle those critically important kitchen-table issues, which affect families. We will continue to pay down gratuities to our retired workers, and ensure that our children go to school, especially at the primary level in an atmosphere that fosters creativity, academic excellence, and social interactions, as exemplified by the features and facilities at the newly rebuilt Model Primary School at Christ the King School, on Wellington Bassey Way, Uyo, which would be replicated in all local government areas.
“We are doing the same, in the healthcare sector, with the soon-to-be commissioned model healthcare centre, located in Ikot Nkowk, Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area,” the governor stated.