Nigeria must not disintegrate, Akpabio says as he becomes the 6th Nigerian to bag the Abubakar Tafewa Leadership Award.

The Award which was made known to him via a letter signed by Dr. Abdulmalik Jamil Mohammed, Secretary of Northern Youth Progressive Forum indicated that Akwa Ibom state Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Barr. Prince Ukpong Akpabio will join 5 other eminent Nigerians to be conferred the prestigious Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Leadership Award.

The five Nigerians are Prof. Joshua Ogunwole, Vice Chancellor of Bowen University, Chief Gamba Okanje, Chairman of Elano Investment, Aare Bashir Fakorede, Chairman of Bash Oil and Gas Limited, Hon. Justice Munta Ladipo, Chief Judge of Oyo State and Dr. Adamu Jatau Noma, Director, FCT Education Board.

The letter said that Barr. Akpabio will become the 6th Nigerian to bag the award as Garkuwar Matasan Arewa. The Northern Youth Progressive Forum which coordinates the selection and conferment of the award, has strong presence in the 19 northern states of Nigeria.

Leading the delegation for the award presentation on Tuesday, Abdulmalik Jamil said that Barr. Akpabio was spotted afar for the award in recognition of his immense contribution to national development, youth empowerment, Philantrophy, Service to God and Humanity. He described Akpabio as a bridge builder who has been a worthy ambassador of the youths, an example that youths can do well for the country if given the opportunity.

The body also extolled their latest award recipient for his instance on human capital development as against the tradition of dishing handouts to the populace. They agreed with Barr. Akpabio that the pathway to our prosperity and national development is for Nigeria to harness sustainable means of livelihood through SME development and boosting the productivity level of the country's populace.

"If you can be spotted from afar, your environment and the world is definitely watching you and even though the reward for service to humanity comes from God, it's important for us here on earth to recognize and appreciate deserving and distinguished people amongst us as a way of encouraging others. We award but God rewards ", the group said to their host during the conferment ceremony that happened at the conference hall of the Ministry of Trade and Investment, Idongesit Nkanga Secretariat, Uyo.

While praying that God who made no mistake in bringing us together will not allow us to disintegrate, Nigerians have been tasked to refrain from fanning the embers of ethnicity and sowing seeds of discord. The plea came from the Honourable Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Prince Ukpong Akpabio shortly after the conferment of the Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa platinum award of him. In his remark, Akpabio said that the Northern Youth Progressive Forum which deemed him worthy of the award had engaged in deeds of national unity and must be encouraged to keep the course of a stronger and united Nigeria.

The Commissioner who welcomed the delegation to Akwa Ibom State, where he described as “the emerging investment and industrial hub in Africa”, said he initially intended to decline the award due to his believe that only people who have affected a group positively should be awarded by the group, but obliged to receive the award because of it's essence, and to honour Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, for what he represents as a true Nigerian and African hero. He charged the leadership of Northern Youths Progressive Forum, to preach the message of peace, love and tolerance which is what the country needs in order to overcome her present challenges.

“Nigeria should not allow the circumstances behind her birth to mar the unity of her people. Every situation should not be judged with ethnicity. The mere fact that we came together as a country is enough reason for us to live in peace. It is therefore our duty to sustain the course of our national unity and save this country from disintegration. Nigeria can not afford to breakup in our time. The sacrifices of our heroes past can't be in vain”, he pleaded.

While pledging support to all peace engineering activities of the forum, the Commissioner thanked the NYPF for chosing him out of over seven million Akwa Ibomites for the award, dedicated it to every peace loving Nigerian and promised to use the award and forum to lend his voice in preaching the message of peace and unity to Nigerians, irrespective of their ethnic group.

In a closing remark, the Permananent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Oliver Udoukpo, thanked the NYPF for standing out as forward thinking youths, who are concerned about Nigeria and are ready to take the risk for the unity of the country.

He appreciated the forum “for fishing out the Honourable Commissioner, now Garkuwar Matasan Arewa, for the award”.

Udoukpo also charged the NYPF and every Nigerian to continue to living on the legacies and ideals of our founding fathers. Directors of the Ministry of trade and Investment were amongst the few participants that witnessed the enclosed award presentation ceremony.

Every thing is wrong with that award.....


You give him an award with a cave herder picture that's was rewarded by british ,...


it's all good that Akpabio was not ,...and I beckon me to trash the shit in a nearby dustbin......


The organizer of the award should channels thier energy towards eradicating Almajiri system,....and stop thinking we share thier taste for self mockery