The Senate President, Ahmed Lawan has urged Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the country.
Emmanuel belongs to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, which is opposition at the national level.
Lawan said that there is no shame in asking since it is a gesture that would bring development, unity and progress in the country as the governor concerned would be a quality addition to the party.
The Senate President, who stated this on Saturday in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital during a thanksgiving service and inauguration of Senator OBA Multipurpose Recreational Complex and a 1.3km Road in Ifa Ikot Akpan, Uyo Local Government Area.
These projects were initiated and completed by Senator Bassey Albert representing Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial District in the upper chambers.
“Even though we are not on the same political platform, we are waiting for you to come and work with us. We want a champion like you, there is no shame in asking. We have seen something that is so good; so brilliant and we say that is an addition,” Lawan said.
“I will come here again because there are so many good things that will happen that will require our presence as well.”
Senator Lawan also extolled the leadership qualities of Senator Bassey Albert as a pace setter, a man of vision and a patriotic leader who puts the interest of his constitutes first, recalling a bill co-sponsored by Senator Bassey Albert to amend the Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contract which became a law.
He added that his performance in the Senate demonstrates exemplary attributes of a passionate leader whose contributions reflects capacity and competence.
“…I am pleased to be here, for me this is homecoming. We are here to thank God for what our colleague Senator Bassey Albert Akpan has achieved here for the people of his senatorial district.
”This multipurpose complex is not only for sports, but for education and learning as well, what we have here is both physical fitness and mental development. I want to add that the people of this senatorial district and the state should take advantage of it.
“For us in the Senate it is our constituency first, because you voted for us, and you voted for Sen. Bassey Albert and I am so proud of him.”
The Senate President hailed Governor Udom Emmanuel’s sterling leadership qualities which has brought massive development into the State, adding that despite belonging to different political platforms, Governor Udom Emmanuel has placed the interest of the nation top priority, stating that the Governor is a partner of development in the country.
In his remarks, Governor Emmanuel thanked God for making the projects executed by Senator Bassey Albert come to fruition to the benefit of Akwa Ibom people, adding that the multipurpose Recreational Complex will serve as an alternative for tourists to relax in the state.
The governor who described the project as befitting the purpose prayed God for peace, tranquility and development of the facilities to the benefit of Akwa Ibom people and urged the people to take advantage of the project and also safeguard it for posterity.
“I want to thank God for this project, the ICT center, Event center. The multipurpose recreational complex has been dedicated to God and I want to join my voice in saying that this place shall be for peace tranquility and development of our people.’’
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The Senator Representing Akwa Ibom North-East, Senator Bassey Albert, in his thanksgiving and appreciation to God reflected on God’s mercies upon his life, stating that he is a man God has shown mercy throughout his life.
Senator Albert stated that the project was designed to meet the needs of the people in the state, adding that 30 pioneer students will be presented certificates from the ICT center, among other benefits to be derived from the multi-purpose complex.
”There is nothing as good as thanking God in the presence of the congregation of believers to thank the only God that has been there for you from the beginning and most especially if you find a man that God has helped, I am one man that God has helped.
”Where you are going to commission today seats on a three-hectare land with a standard football field, ICT center to drill people on digital proficiency and we will present certificates to first 30 graduands who benefited from the International Certified Training,’’ the Senator noted.
