Posted by Ubong ASSAM Jnr.


Commissioners, Special Advisers and other political appointees of the Akwa Ibom State government have been charged to take the opportunities offered by Governor Umo Eno to work conscientiously for the overall success of his administration.

The Oku Ibom Ibibio and President General of Akwa Ibom State Traditional Rulers Council, His Eminence, Ntenyin (Dr.) Solomon Daniel Etuk, CFR, who made the charge at the weekend in his Palace, stated that the lofty blueprint of Governor Eno as encapsulated in the Arise Agenda has to be implemented to bring about the desired development for the State.

Ntenyin Etuk, who spoke following the swearing-in of Commissioners and a Special Adviser, stressed that political appointees must see their appointments as a call to service, remain dedicated and work assiduously to enable the administration to achieve its set targets, which are very laudable.

"The administration of Governor Umo Eno has rolled out its blueprint as contained in his Arise Agenda. The entire team - the Commissioners, Special Adviser and other political appointees have to swing into action and do their bits with the fear of God.

"The appointment is a rare privilege and a call to public service. It is not for personal aggrandizement. We expect them to carry out their duties with utmost dedication, loyalty, honesty and purposefulness that will make Governor Eno's fine ideas crystallize as soon as possible," he stressed.

He further noted that the successful launch of Ibom Dialogue by Governor Eno, where stakeholders across all fields gathered to dissect the Arise Agenda enlightened the people about the enormous contents of his vision for the State.
"This is therefore a programme that we must all set aside political differences and embrace. The Arise Agenda is well outlined. There are lots of derivable. Those who have the privilege to serve in the government must live up to expectations," he added.

He further urged the political appointees to build strong synergy with their stakeholders, Village Heads, Clan Heads and Paramount Rulers as a way of relating the good plans and programmes of government and as well, get inputs from the people to build more trust and confidence in the government in line with the essence of democracy.

According to the A'Ibom Premier Royal father, when Commissioners and other appointees are far off from the grassroots, an unhealthy gap is created which makes the impact of government to be being less appreciated by the people.
The Patriarch of the Ibibios emphasized the need for the effective involvement of traditional rulers in the implementation of government programmes, particularly as it concerns people in the respective communities covering the siting of projects and agricultural schemes.

He stated, "We are the chief security in our domains and custodians of the culture of the people. We are always with the people and know their challenges. Our involvement in the activities concerning our people is very necessary."

Also, Ntenyin Etuk urged President Ahmed Bola Tinubu to increase the ministerial slot for Akwa Ibom State to two given the huge economic contributions to the petro-dollar earnings by the Federal Government.

He said the people of Akwa Ibom remain very grateful for the emergence of Senator Godswill Akpabio as the President of the 10th Senate, stressing however that that should not be used as a basis to deny the State of other benefits, as the position is for national service.

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