Years back, the great people of the Land of Promise dwelled in the Ibom village in Arochukwu.
For the creation of the state, the people of Akwa Ibom came, fought, and conquered but their battles were just beginning.
Twenty years afterward, they continued to fight and crave for the achievement of their dreams for development. Such was the condition of the state and its people when the game changed.
HISTORICAL MILESTONES
As time went by, under the rule of our great father, the then military administration, General Ibrahim Babangida.
Akwa Ibom State was created out of Cross River State and declared a state among the already existing states in the federation
A massive victory we all waited for. God saw us through. This was something that a lot of people dedicated their lives to.
Many leaders who governed the state after its creation played great parts in trying to see to the realization of the collective aspirations of its people.
EARLY STRUGGLES
The fight for our state today began in 1948 when the Ibibio Union changed its primary focus.
Previously, they had been an organization that mainly dealt with cultural matters.
But in 1948 they decided to concentrate on the idea of Nigeria being transformed into a state-divided country.
Though the Annang, Oron, and Ibibio posed a common identity. We were the first set of ethnic groups to migrate to the southeastern part of Nigeria.
The main ethnic groups in Akwa Ibom State are the Ibibio, Anang, Oron, Eket, and Mbo. There are twenty languages in the state.
The Ibibio people form the largest ethnic group and their language is the most widespread. Other significant languages in the state are Annang, Oron, Ibeno, and Eket.
POLITICS
Politics in Akwa Ibom state is dominated by the three main ethnic groups, the Ibibio, Annang, and Oron. Of these three, the Ibibio remain the majority and have held sway in the state since its creation.
Do you know that Akwa Ibom became part of the southeastern state in 1967 when there was an initial separation of Nigeria into twelve states?
Too sad, after nine years the name was changed to Cross River. This did not make them lose hope. They kept on fighting for what they wanted, which was to have a state that belonged to them
Do you know that after this there was a second chance?
Their second chance was given after the disintegration of the second republic.
Too bad, the response wasn’t good.
THE CREATION OF AKWA IBOM STATE
The people sent a request for a memorandum to the General Buhari Administration, but the result was unsatisfying.
Akwa Ibom has also given birth to numerous prominent people who play a part in the development of the country and in popularizing Nigeria on a global level.
The next opportune moment came about when the political Bureau was held to determine the direction in which Nigeria was supposed to be heading.
The same demands were sent to General Ibrahim Babangida again. This time the memorandum resulted in the creation of the Akwa Ibom State in 1987.
When this great state was created on 23 September 1987, Uyo was chosen to be its capital. This was made to spread development across the state.
Have you wondered how the name Akwa Ibom came about?
It originated from a river called the Kwa Iboe.
THE NAME AKWA IBOM
The name Ibom is an old word used by the Efik / Ibibio / Annang / Oron / Eket people of Nigeria meaning the universe, the earth, or a community.
I see this name as a name inspired by God Almighty. If you take a look at our motto; “The Land of Promise”, you will realize that God created the universe and blessed it for us humans.
He promised us a whole lot of things, which he has been doing beyond our imagination. Beyond the earth where we dwell, he has a better land of promise for us.
Akwa Ibom State is one of the present two states created from the old Akwa Akpa kingdom, Cross River State being the sister state.
The land of promise became the land of fulfillment. I celebrate the maiden governor, “Colonel Tunde Ogbeha” for his efforts.
Though the state returned to civilian rule despite the leader’s efforts, it remained among the least developed because there were myriad factors that worked against the development efforts.
It was a thing of great joy that these factors later gave way to the vision of a man who was barely 25 years old when the state was created; where there is a will there’s a way.
TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP
25 years after Akwa Ibom was created, history was revisited. Things changed in favor of Our Land of Promise. Fulfillment evolved.
Five years of the game-changing leadership by the present Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, gave Akwa Ibomites reason to celebrate her silver jubilee.
In the past years of his administration, not only have testimonies abound about the massive transformation of the state, but words have also been out that his first five years in the life of Akwa Ibom State have surpassed the first 20 years of its creation.
There are lots of improvements and proofs of development during the reign of The current senate president in 2012.
The proofs are emblazoned on the destinies of thousands of children who now have a future.
All thanks to God and the government for the free and compulsory education from primary to secondary school levels introduced by the Akpabio administration, a step which got the commendation of people including the Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka.
NATURAL RESOURCES AND ECONOMIC GROWTH
Indeed, our land is a land of promise. This great land is blessed with a lot of natural resources.
The stunning natural resources keep me in awe.
The lovely sites of Ibeno Beach are mind blowing. From the Ibeno beach to Eket to the tranquil beauty of Ikot Abasi and the captivating waterfalls of Uyo, nature lovers will find a paradise to explore.
The green lands depict the song “THE LAND IS GREEN”
Our fertile land is amazing. Crops that feed the worms are nourishing.
From the fertile tomato farm to other great fruits. All thanks to the past Governor. Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel embraced farming and other infrastructures.
INFRASTRUCTURE, INNOVATION AND INDUSTRIES
The syringe and toothpick industry which has boosted Akwa Ibom’s revenue. He has kept Akwa Ibom afloat through massive investments in agriculture, healthcare, education, industrialization, and infrastructure
Udom’s investment in the aviation industry defeated naysayers, turned out to be a commercial success, and renewed hope in the ability of states to generate wealth.
Established in 2019, Ibom Air has grown in size and operations to dominate the nation’s airspace, with 99.8 percent schedule reliability and 96 percent on-time performance.
Do you know that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority NCAA marked Ibom Air as the second-highest number of domestic flights in 2021 and the best overall on-time performance for that year? This has boosted the state’s internally generated revenue.
Economically, Akwa Ibom State is based around the production of crude oil and natural gas as the highest oil-producing state in the country, with Ibeno, Mbo, and Eastern Obolo as oil-producing LGAs.
We are blessed with great realistic gifts that have boosted the economy of the state, alongside men and women.
Akwa Ibom State has become a new model for leadership with the establishment of several industries, such as a syringe factory, metering company, flour mill company, coconut virgin oil refinery, plywood manufacturing company, power substation, rice mills, and cassava processing mills.
Akwa Ibom has two major seaports on the Atlantic Ocean with a proposed construction of a world-class seaport at Oron.
This great land of promise is embodied with a 30,000-seat ultra-modern sports complex. This gigantic spherical stadium is fantasized with modern and world-class facilities. It accommodates thousands of Akwa Ibomites and tourists in and out of Akwa Ibom.
His Excellency, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, has done a lot during his few months in office. He assures the take-off of entrepreneurial and leadership school. Announced trade fair for made in Akwa Ibom, visited super eagles camp, assured security. He also visited the Federal College of Idideb and granted 95mwaover for the certificate of occupancy.
Aside from these, he has distributed palliatives to the less privileged.
CULTURAL HERITAGE AND UNITY
The people of Akwa Ibom are predominantly Christians.
However, some native religions are still in practice.
We have a land mass of 7,081Km square. It is bordered to the East by Cross River, to the north by Abia State, to the west by Abia and rivers, and to the south by the Atlantic Ocean.
Do you know that this ocean spans a distance of 129 kilometers from Ikot Abasi and Oron?
Akwa Ibom portrays pictures of captivating coastal, mangrove forests, and stunning sandy beach resorts.
The various ethnic groups have their cultures and traditions. Some of their languages are closely related.
The Annang and Ibibio languages are closely related with few dialectical differences. The same thing with the Eket and Ibeno languages, which are only particularly understandable by people by speakers of the other two languages. Their area is located by the ocean.
Ibibio is the largest, while annang forms the second largest group.
These ethnic groups have their cultures. Though some of their cultures and traditions are similar. A few of the cultural similarities among the people of the state are folklore songs, songs, dances, food, beliefs, and mythology.
The land is blessed with hard working men, women, and children who do not see farming as a poor man’s job, but as one of the major sources of survival, resources, wealth, etc.
Aside from farming, there are other lovely traditional occupations I love so much, which are, fishing, trading, hunting, wood-carving, raffia works, blacksmithing, pottery, iron works, tailoring, and crafts creation.
The land is blessed with great leaders whom God used to make our state a better place. There are lots of attraction sites here in Akwa Ibom, Oron Museum located at Oron, and National Museum, located at Uyo. Ibom Tropicana is one of the leisure and business resorts in Uyo, designed in a way that keeps our tourists in awe.
E-library is one of the places in Akwa Ibom I love so much. It was established on the 25 of September, 2007 with its foundation under the government of Senator. Godswill Obot Akpabio, now the Senate President of Nigeria. The library was finally inaugurated by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan on July 27, 2012. It is open to students, researchers, tourists, and the general public.
The flamboyant structures aid education and academic research. The serenity of the environment, inside out gives one the enthusiasm to read, think, and be satisfied with what he or she came to do.
It has useful items that meet the needs of the seekers. These include books, journals, newspapers, drawings, etc.
The library can accommodate over 1000 persons. The library has event spaces, co-working spaces, video conferencing, etc.
It is one of the biggest libraries in Africa.
Ibom Specialist Hospital is positioned to redefine the standard of excellence in patient care in our State and beyond.
Ibom Multi-Specialty Hospital is located in Ekit Itam II, along Uyo Ikot Ekpene Road, Akwa Ibom State.
The Hospital was commissioned in 2015 by the Akwa Ibom State Government. It is equipped with high-standard facilities, and caring medical practitioners who are all out to give their patients the best treatment.
Their level of expertise, care, and impeccable teamwork is top-notch.
Air Comrade Idongesit Nkanga, took Akwa Ibom State to a high altitude of development in a comparatively short but stunning leadership flight.
He laid a critical part of the foundation for a skyscraper for Akwa Ibom State, building infrastructure germane to the development of the State from the State Secretariat to roads and other structures. This earned him the surrogate, ” Idongesit Akwa Ibom”, and indeed, he was that and more.
The Secretariat was named after him and has helped Akwa Ibom in so many ways.
The promised land is blessed with a very calm tropical climate, with two distinct seasons- the rainy and dry seasons.
The mean annual temperature of the state lies between 260°C and 280°C while the annual mean rainfall ranges from 2000mm to 3000mm, depending on the area.
Thunderstorms are commonly experienced from March to November.
Maximum and minimum dampness in the air is usually recorded in July and January.
We have such a unique climate that allows for favorable cultivation and extraction of agricultural and forest products such as maize, cassava, rice, timber, palm produce, etc.
Success cannot be achieved in one trial. Many achievements cannot be achieved at once, all takes a gradual process.
THE AKWA IBOM STATE ANTHEM AND FLAG
When Akwa Ibom was created, there was no flag, no anthem. But now, here we are, we have an eye-catching flag and melodious anthem.
True to the words of Stanza One of the anthem and pledge Akwa Ibom is determined to ‘Rise Beyond Ethnicity, built with love. Forward ever, backward never.
The state flag was unveiled during the thirty-third state anniversary celebration.
The flag is a symbol of unity. It brings us all under one common identity.
The colors include Orange, green, and white.
The orange color represents the vitality and vigor of our people.
The white color represents peace and Godliness.
The green color represents fertile land abundance.
The white arrowhead which signifies the charge represents progress.
The flag was designed by Nsikak John, a native of Ikot Inyang Itak in the Ikono Local Government Area.
The coat of arms is a profound representation of our rich cultural heritage.
It has the following features; Lion, Palm Tree, Tusk, Green Grass, Sea with Fish and Crab, Shield, Cross, Oil Rig, Manilas and Cowries, and Woven Cord.
Displaying the nature of excellence and prosperity, our flag reminds us of our collective commitment to progress and prosperity.
From scratch, there are mistakes, corrections taken, inspirations, and lessons.
The just concluded Readmania by Mr. John Obot is an example of determination. He was determined to break the record and he did! Determination can help our state grow to greater heights.
As a state, we have evolved. Akwa Ibom nurses one of the best entrepreneurial developments in the country in terms of artisan and skills. This has built a sense of entrepreneurship and self-employment in Akwa Ibomites.
People engage in various skills to meet their needs.
The Godswill Akpabio stadium hosted the African Cup Of Nations in Uyo. This means together we can rewrite our history.
Free Education and scholarship opportunities given to the less privileged have helped young ones determined to succeed and know more. As the saying goes, children are the leaders of tomorrow.
With this free and quality education, young ones will evolve to be their best.
The rate of accidents on our roads has lessened due to goods roads. Thank you to the Government for their unwavering support.
Do you know that people used to die of depression? At times, this comes as a result of a lack of rest or relaxation.
The introduction of the “Happy hour” has reduced stress and Depression/suicide rates. It has brought to the consciousness of Akwa Ibomites the importance of rest.
There was a time when there was a loss of power supply. Now, power supply has been restored in most places and students can learn, and people can get updates on recent developments by listening to the news.
CELEBRATING 37 YEARS.
No man is an island. Therefore, as Akwa Ibomites we cannot succeed alone. We need the help of each other. Just like the case of our distinguished record breakers, Chef Hilda Baci and Mr. John Obot. With the support of Akwa Ibomites, people from other states and ethnic groups supported them. The love and support they got, gave them the enthusiasm to keep pushing and not give up.
Day by day, one step at a time, gradually, all our dreams will become a reality. A lot has changed. Starting from the administration, infrastructures, education, etc.
The oil and gas sector has been a significant or let’s say major revenue source, the state should focus on economic diversification to reduce its dependence on a single sector. Investments in agriculture, manufacturing, and technology can create a more balanced economy.
The state was and is still predominantly political, but entrepreneurship has come because people have learnt that for start building, or capacity building there is a need for entrepreneurship and self-employment.
A lot of students out there are self-employed. Engaging in one skill or the other. Some of them are baking, fashion designing, arts and crafts, etc.
These skills they use to fund themselves in school and provide for their families.
From these, the government can organize entrepreneurship and leadership programs that will educate the youth and society at large.
During the just-concluded election, there was political tension. This led to some disruptions in the state. Politics should not bring about hatred among one another.
If there are crises in the political system, it affects the masses. Akwa Ibom is a peaceful state, there problems in the political system should be evaded so that peace and harmony will reign.
To round it all up, a loud shout-out of appreciation to all our past governors;
Your Excellencies;
Tunde Ogbeha
Godwin Abbe
Idongesit Nkanga.
Akpan Isemin
Yakubu Bako
Joseph Adeusi
John Ebiye
Victor Attah
Godswill Akpabio
Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, and now to our current capable, authentic, amiable, and amazing Governor,
Umo Bassey Eno.
Thank you so much for all you do. You all went through thick and thin ensuring we get a better Akwa Ibom where the is peace, enough resources, employment, joy, opportunities, and smiles on the faces of all.
When we look back to where we were before, and where we are now, we will see that God has, is, and will do greater things for us.
Cheers to Akwa Ibom at 37. We are great and made for more.
