Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno Ph.D, has admonished the youths of the State to remain peaceful, safe and resourceful to help maintain the status of the state during the Yuletide.
The admonition by the governor, which was contained in his Christmas Day Message to the State, enjoins the youths to shun anti-social tendencies or acts capable of disturbing public peace during the season.
“Let us wear our unity and love as badges of honour and continue to celebrate our bonds of kinship, which, thankfully, is currently in full display at the Christmas Unplugged 2024 edition.
“Today, we join millions of Christian adherents to celebrate Christmas, which signifies the birth of the Prince of Peace and Saviour of mankind, our Lord Jesus Christ.
“Christmas is a season of love, of giving and of unity. It is a period where we should redouble our efforts in looking out for the vulnerable and the downtrodden and inspire in them a spirit of hope and faith that, just as our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ was born in a manger, their circumstance today may change, and they too can be leaders of tomorrow.
“Let me thank you, my dear people, for the prayers and support you have given us in the last eighteen months as we work to deepen the growth and prosperity of our dear State. We have been humbled greatly by what we have collectively achieved across sectors, and as we get ready to usher in the New Year, we will continue to roll our sleeves and work harder to ensure we produce enough food to feed our people, extend more development to the rural areas, expand our infrastructure, ensure our State remains an oasis of peace and tranquillity and get our children to remain focused in their educational pursuits, so they may compete with their peers all over the world, in the spirit of our Arise Agenda.” The governor’s message read in parts.
He pledged continued focus on the needs of the people, while challenging them to Arise and flourish through the creative application of the talents and creativity God has embedded in us all.
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He announced the payment of the 13th month salary, popularly known as ‘Eno-mber’, promising that together with the Organised Labour, work on the verification exercise of the actual number of public service employees is ongoing and expressed the hope that the process will end very soon so payment of the N80,000 (eighty thousand Naira) minimum wage can commence as agreed.
“To bring Christmas cheer to every nook and cranny of this blessed State, we have released 20 bags of rice to be given to each of the 2,272 gazetted villages in the State.
“This is a season of glad tidings, and we are hopeful that other stakeholders all over the 368 wards will complement the efforts of government to touch the lives of the people in their respective communities.
“I am aware of the extraordinary cultural display and renaissance currently ongoing at the Christmas Village and the thousands of visitors that are trooping in daily. This is who and what we are all about – the spirit of Akwa Ibom: Happy, industrious, united, creative and God-fearing people, bound by shared aspirations, hopes and dreams.
“As we celebrate Christmas today, may this spirit of unity and oneness lead us safely and triumphantly into the New Year.
“I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year in advance!
God bless us all!” The message concluded.
