It had all the trappings of a „state visit.“ And indeed it was a state visit. It was Senator Godswill Akpabio‘s first visit to his home state: Akwa Ibom State after his election as the President of the Senate. As recalled by the Senator, the last time the people saw him was as a Senator-elect but on Saturday, June 24, 2023, he returned to Akwa Ibom State as the President of the 10th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Number three man in the country.
Akwa Ibom State has produced many great men and women who have shaped the history, economy and politics of Nigeria.
It turned out to be very prophetic that many years ago the people had gathered in unison to bestow the title of Uko Akwa Ibom (the pride of Akwa Ibom State) on Chief Godswill Akpabio. The significance of his visit was not lost on Akwa Ibom people as the people led by the State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno turned out enmasse to behold and welcome their pride, their illustrious son to the State and to wish him well as the Chairman of the National Assembly.
Despite differences in political affiliation, many were surprised on June 13, the date of the inauguration of Senator Akpabio as the President of the Senate, when Gov.Uno led politicians in the State, including Senator Akpabio‘s estranged allies to congratulate him on his election.
In the words of Governor Eno, „Today I‘m leading a delegation to celebrate what God has done for us as a people. And this celebration is across party lines. We thank God for the gift of our Senate President, a son of Akwa Ibom State and we have come to celebrate with him. Today party politics have broken down and for the first time after the elections, I see everyone coming together to celebrate this great feat of our State.
The joy and enthusiasm on the faces of the people who turned out at the Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo to receive Senator Akpabio was not misplaced. The last time anyone from the South-South had occupied the position of the Senate President was in 1979 through the late Dr Joseph Wayas. Pastor Umo Eno led the State Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, captains of industry and who-is-who in the State to receive the Senate President at the airport.
For those who are familiar with the discipline of the Catholic Church it was no mean feat for the Bishop, Most Rev Camillus Umoh to have agreed to celebrate the thanksgiving mass which was scheduled at very short notice. But the celebration reflected the mood of the people of Akwa Ibom State and the Church was not left out.
Setting the tone for the Mass, the Priest saw the elevation of Senator Akpabio as the fulfillment of a self-imposed prophecy of 2018.
In his homily, Most Rev Camillus Umoh, charged Senator Akpabio to leave his marks on the sands of time at the end of his tenure as the Senate President. „Our prayer is that at the end of your tenure Nigerians would be able to say that a man from Annang land landed in Abuja and left with the imprint of Annang land and that you brought to bear the Catholic character of justice and fairness.
That from Ikot Ekpene Diocese, came a Senator and President of the Senate.
The Chairman of the Stability Group and former Governor of Ebonyi State, Senator Dave Umahi who led other Senators to the Mass, in his goodwill message thanked the Catholic Bishop for accepting to hold the thanksgiving mass outside Sunday service. He likened the emergence of Senator Akpabio and the Church to that of a woman who prayed for a child but was blessed with twins. “You did not only pray His Excellency into a great success at the election, your prayers were so intense, were so acceptable to God, that
Senator Akpabio was not only successful in the election, but became the Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.
An obviously elated Senator Akpabio thanked the people for their support and show of love. „I thank you all for coming out to celebrate God‘s goodness in my life and that of my family. I thank you for the support during the campaigns and election proper. To those who didn‘t vote for me, I will represent you well. Continue to pray for me and my colleagues as we daily navigate and steer the ship of the National Assembly for the betterment of all Nigerians“.
–Ekong, a media aide to Senator Akpabio writes from Abuja.
