The governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, has instituted a N200 million interest-free loan facility and appointed Alhaji Ibrahim Iliya as the Special Assistant (SA) to the Governor on Arewa Matters in the State.
Besides, the governor, at a special meeting with leaders of the Muslim community in the State, where he broke the fast (Iftar) with them at the Government House, Uyo, the State capital, announced Emmanuel Ogbole as the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Non-Indigene Matters, assuring that his administration would extend the same hands of fellowship to the Yoruba, Igbo and other Niger Delta ethnic nationalities residing in the State.
On the details for the conditions and procedures for accessing the loan facility, the governor explained that they would be worked out later with the relevant agencies saddled with such responsibility.
The Muslim delegation was led by the leadership of the Akwa Ibom Council of Islamic Affairs (AKCIA) comprising the Chairman, League of Imams (LI) in the State, Imam Abubakar Sadiq; Alhaji Hassan Sadauki (Sarkin Hausawa, Uyo); Alhaji Maruf Olobode Sani, Imam Ibrahim Okesina and Imam Bello Dahiru.
The governor thanked the Muslims and the entire Hausa/Fulani in the State for their support during last year’s elections, and for maintaining the harmonious relationship that had existed in the State over the years.
He recalled that; “last year, when we had this same meeting in Eket, and I said that, if by the grace of God, and with your support we win the elections, that this year’s Iftar will be done in Government House; we thank God that He answered our prayers.
“Let me use this opportunity to thank the Arewa Community for your support during the elections. It was a massive support. And so if someone did something profoundly significant for you, it’s always good to reach back and say ‘thank you’, which is what we are doing today.
“We hope to go round all the groups; the Yoruba community, the Igbos and Niger Delta to tell them ‘thank you’. It was a tough election, but you stood your grounds and supported us.
“I remain eternally grateful and will always work to improve the living conditions of the poor, the vulnerable and those in the rural areas. We have a long history of living together, doing business together and trusting each other.
“I would like to appeal now that the rains are here, and people are going back to the farms, that we continue to work together to ensure that the herders would conduct their business without destroying people’s farms, because we want to grow more staple foods to feed everyone here. We are not saying, ‘don’t do your business’, but in business world, we always say: ‘You must mind how your business affects my business’ so we can all live harmoniously in peace and brotherhood as we have always done.”
Speaking earlier, the chairman of the League of Imams, Akwa Ibom State, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq, thanked the governor for the love and cordial relationship that has existed with the Muslim community in the State.
He said: “We are a people from diverse origins across Nigeria, all living here peacefully and securely in Akwa Ibom State under your leadership.
“We know some states are struggling with cases of insecurity. But here, we have enjoyed peace and Your Excellency, in continuing with the maintenance of peace had proactively come up with such vision as represented by the Community Watch and the setting up of the Ministry of Internal Security and Waterways, headed by a retired general of the Nigerian Army, Gen. Koko Essien (rtd).
“We are proud of your visionary approach to governance, especially as it concerns the rural dwellers and we pray Allah should grant you more wisdom to carry on.
“Our gathering here today with you is not the first, second or third. You have graciously been breaking fast with us as a private citizen, a community leader and a statesman, year in, year out. It is, therefore, not surprising that you extended same invitation for us to join you in Government House for this year’s Iftar.”
The Imam, therefore, prayed for the governor and his family, the State Government, State Executive Council (SEC) and the people of the State entirely.
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