As Obong Victor Attah, a former Akwa Ibom Governor. clocks 83 Saturday, many have heaped torrents of felicitation on the elder statesman on this occasion.
The time-honoured Eduek Ekpe of Ibesikpo Asutan and the ardent advocate of resource control ruled Akwa Ibom from 1999 to 2007.
In a statement made available to the press by his Chief Press Secretary, Ekerete Udoh, Akwa Ibom Governor Udom Emmanuel thanked the former Governor, for his inspiring service to the state during his tenure as a Governor.
Emmanuel also lauded Attah for the foundation he laid and for the states manly role he has been playing over the years.
“We thank God for giving you to us. As you turn 83 years old today, on behalf of the Government and the good people Akwa Ibom State, we wish you a Happy Birthday,’’ he wished.
The Governor prayed for continuous robust health and more blessings from the Almighty God, on the elder statesman.
On his part, the Head of Civil Service, Akwa Ibom State, Elder Effiong Essien, on behalf of the entire workers, extended his best wishes to his elder kinsmen.
Essien, in a press release from his office, described Attah as a governor who saw the future of the state and laid a solid foundation for its actualization.
He noted that the state’s master-plan which he midwifed and the strategic structures he built during his tenure provide the solid base for successive administrations to build on.
The Head of Civil Service recollected with excitement, Obong Attah’s bravery and uncompromising stance on issues that affected the economic and socio-political well-being of the state with particular reference to the triumphal struggle for resource control which he led.
He described Victor Attah as a God-fearing, principled and rare breed leader with superior intellect who has continued to gain relevance in national and global discourse.
The state no. 1 civil servant prayed for increased wisdom, renewed strength, long life and good health as he continues in his service to God, humanity and his fatherland.
Attah was born on November 20, 1938. He completed post-primary education in 1956 and gained a degree from Leeds College of Art and a post graduate diploma in Building Science from Liverpool University in 1965.
Attah won the scholarship to study at Columbia University in New York, where he obtained an MA in Advanced Architectural Design and Planning. He also attended the Kennedy Graduate School of Governance at Harvard University.
After completing his education, he practised as an architect in the Caribbean, New York City and Nigeria.
He had served as the National President of the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA).
Obong Attah was a Board of Trustees member of Peoples Democratic Party before he defected to All Progressives Congress (APC).
