The people of former Abak Division comprising Abak, Etim Ekpo , Ika , Oruk Anam and Ukanafun Local Governmnet Areas have concluded plans to host Governor Godswill Akpabio to a grand reception on Thursday.

Speaking on behalf of the people at Abak at the weekend, a retired don, Dr. Ahaziah Umanah, said that the people had decided to honour the governor for his commitment to rural transformation. Umanah noted that many years ago, it was a matter of stigma for a suitor to announce that his wife is from any of the villages along that axis because of bad and impassable roads.

The Abak people said they are very grateful to Gov. Godswill Akpabio, for constructing Abak-Afaha-Obong-Etim Ekpo road. The people cutting across five local government areas of Abak, Oruk-Anam, Etim-Ekpo, Ika and Ukanafun, noted that for over 40 years, the people never had accessible roads to their villages.

Dr. Umanah announced that the people of the five local government areas comprising former Abak Divison had fixed this Thursday for the grand reception for the governor. Describing Akpabio as a performer, Umanah , who is also the chairman, Central Planning Committee of the reception, said that the governor had touched the lives of ordinary citizens.

At a press conference in Abak the Paramount rulers of Oruk Anam and Etim Ekpo local Government areas, Obong Brown Essenowo and Obong Ebong Akpan Nkanta, representatives of Abak, Etim Ekpo and Ika and that of Oruk Anam and Ukanafun in the House of Reps, Obong Emen Ekprikpe Ekpo and Obong Sabbath Obot, were in attendance, among others.

The chairman, central planning committee for the reception, noted that the epic occasion which will take place at Abak township stadium is a serious business to give honour to whom honour is due. He noted that the occasion will be chaired by Senator Itak Bob Ekarika, and will serve as a veritable platform for Governor Akpabio to lay the foundation stone for construction of a unity hall of fame near the council secretariat complex, Abak, before proceeding to the township stadium for the grand reception ceremony.

Dr. Umanah who described the envisaged occasion as unique, explained that after the historic visit by Governor Akpabio, the former Abak Division will continue to wax stronger in unity, love and oneness, with the execution of the unity hall of fame project as it would be commissioned within the life span of the present administration in the state.

He explained that the reception is to let the world know that the people of the former Abak Division are solidly behind Governor Akpabio in the administration of the state. Championed by the leadership of Abak Division Youth Development Organisation (ADYDO), Dr. Umanah posited that 25 other personalities from Annang sector of the state would be honoured post-humorously for their exemplary lives and achievements in their days.

He listed those to be honoured post-humorously to include the late Chief Ikpe Umoh Imeh, Chief Okon Udo Afiah, Dr. Ibanga Udo Akpabio, Dr. Asuquo Udo Idiong, Chief James Emmanuel Eyo, Obong Johnson Udo Udom, Chief Sam Akpan Essein , Obong Sampson Udo Idiong, Justice Akpan Ekukinam Bassey, Prof. Atta Obot Nkere, Chief Wilson Udo Etuk, Senator Raymond Umoh Chief Raymond Orok, Chief Christopher Udomessiet, Ambassador Isonguyo Ibokette, Cheif J.U.U Ebong, Chief E. Ukwak, and Chief H. O. Akpan Udoh.

He noted that the people of former Abak Division were satisfied with the developmental strides of Governor Akpabio in all sectors of the state so far, noting that the construction of Abak-Etim Ekpo-Urua Inyang-Iwukem road, implementation of free and compulsory education, among other people oriented development projects in the state, have given them a good sense of belonging, hence the civic reception to honour Chief Akpabio.

The chairman, publicity sub-committee for the grand reception, former commissioner for information and culture in the state and Director General National Copyright Commission, Mr. Moses F. Ekpo, said the decision to honour Governor Akpabio was taken by the mass movement of the former Abak Division in appreciation of his good work in the state within two-and a-half years in office.

Mr Ekpo explained further that the civic reception was a movement of the ordinary folks in the Division including political appointees to honour the governor for making them proud in the equitable distribution of infrastructure which he said allows for the unity of purpose among the people of the state.

The paramount ruler of Oruk Anam, Obong Brown Essenowo, said the ceremony will seve as a mark of solidarity for the state governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio by the people of the former Abak division, noting that the awards would serve as an encouragement to use their good offices to impact on the lives of their people.

The Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Prince Udom Ekpo Udom and the director of Communication in the Defence Headquarters, Abuja Major-general Godwin Umoh and Mr. Ray Ekpu, Chief Executive officer of Newswatch communications Limited, are among the seven distinguished Ananng indigenes to be honoured by the people of the former Abak Division in collaboration with the paramount rulers in council.