Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio clocked 56 on Sunday. As a commissioner, governor and now a Senator, many see him as performer. He has courted the love of many and attracted the odium of others alike. Across the gamut of the society and all spheres of life, he has a larger-than-life image.
Despite vilifications and vituperations, he is one of the most talked about, popular politician and internet sensation in Akwa Ibom and Nigeria as a whole.
Though he has his weaknesses like all who populate this planet, he remains a hero, mentor, role model and pillar to many. On his birthday, some admirers speak, many only whisper in silence.
We just publish few encomiums-garlands- on Senator Akpabio as he revels in 56.
Court Of Opinions
Senator Godswill Akpabio-former governor of Akwa Ibom State and former minority leader of the Senate, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Obong Victor Attah, Chief FEJ Etim, Lagos, Abuja, Ibanga Akpabio, Lagos, Abuja, Comrade Ini Ememobong-State Publicity Secretary-People’s Democratic Party-Akwa Ibom State, Joe Iniodu
Senator Godswill Akpabio, former governor of Akwa Ibom State and former minority leader of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is 56 Sunday. It has been an intriguing journey that has seen him morph from privation to a man of means with strong social contacts that put him in the bracket of who is who in Nigeria.
Senator Akpabio’s life is undoubtedly a testament of grace and divination. These, he acknowledges lavishly and makes attempts to ensure that he lives for others. For him, generosity is a creed that must be internalized and deployed to give meaning to existence and humanity. Akpabio does not necessarily give out of abundance but as a means of humanising humanity and extending joy to those who hitherto were on the threshold of despair. Those who have known him over the years would attest to the assertion that he did not learn generosity as governor, rather he had it inculcated in him as an attribute even in the days of his privation.
Akpabio’s public life in Akwa Ibom started in 2002 when he was invited by His Excellency, Obong Victor Attah to serve as a commissioner. There is an interesting story to his emergence as commissioner in the State which further adds and gives verve to the conclusion that his life is more providential than ordinary.
The story which has the former commissioner, Barrister Ibanga Akpabio and the late Chief FEJ Etim and Senator Akpabio as major protagonists is in public domain and does not require repeating. But suffice it to say that Godswill Akpabio became commissioner through the instrumentality of FEJ Etim and Ibanga Akpabio. Senator Akpabio acknowledges and remains grateful to these characters till date. For FEJ who is late, he venerates his memory and has maintained cordiality with the family of the departed till date.
There is no gainsaying the fact that Akpabio has made enormous contributions to the State first as a commissioner in three key ministries and eventually as a governor wherein he rewrote the narrative of the hitherto alienated and marginalised State that served only as a corridor to other destinations. He is therefore deserving of honour by the people of the State whom he worked strenuously to improve their lives through innovative programmes while a governor and even currently as a Senator.
We recall with joy the Free and Compulsory Education which he enunciated, interventions in the healthcare sector including free medical services to various segments of the society, investments in the educational sector, the complete turn around in public infrastructure and other sundry areas of governance that stood Akwa Ibom in good stead and a choice destination after Lagos and Abuja.
Unfortunately, politics has ruined our cherished social relations and erected barriers to prevent us from seeing and celebrating our heroes. We have failed to recognise that if we kill our giants today, we would rue over not having them at the time of need. Today, Akpabio is the butt of malicious falsehood and vile propaganda including deliberate plot to destroy him at national level where providence has taken him to in our own interest.
Akpabio may not be perfect and no man is but at least it is better to have him than antagonise him as we are currently doing as if it is a public policy. I have always held the view that the masses would be better off if our leaders coexist in harmoniously. Sadly, the hawks who surround them would have nothing of such as a development of that nature cannot line their pockets and make them to smile to the banks.
At 56, Akpabio may not be said to be precocious but history would record him kindly and prodigiously for always doing God’s will and making human beings the centre piece of his concern. He has fought his way to the mountain top. Let us not pull him down as is typical of our people for we shall be the ultimate losers of such invidious act. Happy birthday Your Excellency!
Happy birthday Senator Godswill Akpabio
Your Excellency,
Your birthday this year is different for us. It’s the first time in close to two decades that we are on different sides politically. Despite this difference, my natural love for you, as a father and mentor hasn’t waned a bit.
As you add another year to your life, I pray that God will give vigorous STRENGTH to your body, lively CONSCIENCE to your mind, and enduring PEACE to your soul.
Happy birthday ette ufok.
Comrade Ini Ememobong
State Publicity Secretary
People’s Democratic Party
Akwa Ibom State
And your former SA, Students Matters
Mbuotidem Ekong Happy Birthday Sir!
Itoro Akpan HBD Uko Akwa lbom.
Uduak Abel God bless ur new age sir
Kufre Udo Through thick and thin
He has made a Mark
Ubong Akpan Happy Birthday, my Senator.
Congratulations
Umakisoh Okpuk Happy birthday my distinguished senator
Josephine John Hbd Sir
Martins Young He is and will always be a good man notwithstanding the times…happy birthday sir
Ediomo Akpan Happy Birthday Agwo Uko
Favour Ukpong Happy birthday my distinguished senator.
Prince Joe Ilaumo Happy birthday Distinguished Senator.
Benjamin Phillip Happy birthday sir
Cornelius Thompson Editor I love this birthday message. Happy birthday to my uncommon senator.
Mokom Alex Happy birthday Abong Agwo
