As a birthday gift, Uyo Book Club has buffeted octogenarian Victor Attah, former Akwa Ibom Governor, with feasts as he turns 85 Monday.
Obong Attah who ruled Akwa Ibom from 1999 to 2007 will be treated to intellectual feast by the club as he turns 85 years on November 20, 2023.
A press release by Dr. Udeme Nana, founder of Uyo Book Club, said ‘‘Attah, an iconic patriot, the second Civilian Governor of Akwa Ibom State will attain a landmark 85 years in age on Monday, 20th November, 2023.’’
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Nana noted ‘‘Obong Attah is aptly regarded as the father of modern Akwa Ibom State on account of his visionary policies and programmes and particularly, the role he played in the fight for ‘Resource control’ and the abrogation of the on-shore off-shore dichotomy, which ensured that Akwa Ibom State now earns more revenue monthly, from the Federation Account. This has helped immensely in the pursuit of the development agenda of succeeding administrations in the state and the general well-being of our people.
‘‘Obong Attah also left indelible footprints in several facets of life in the State including the Ibom Icon Resort and Golf Course which ranks as one of the best in West Africa.
‘‘He envisioned the Airport which is named after him, he built the Ibom Power plant at Ikot Abasi, The Shelter Afrique Housing Estate, dualised major roads, redesigned Ibom Plaza in his urban renewal programme, built the Banking Layout and added more than 2,000 housing units across the 31 local government areas in the state to improve housing sufficiency for the people of the state.
‘‘He constructed and renovated schools, and through the Inter-Ministerial Direct Labour Agency, his government intervened in the provision of water and electricity to many communities in the State. He gave Akwa Ibom State a strong and bold presence and voice in Nigeria and served as the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum.
‘‘The ripe old age of 85 is a milestone achievement. This visionary statesman laid the foundation for most past and current political leaders from Akwa Ibom State,’’ the former Media Adviser to the ex-Governor, stated.
Nana, who doubles as the Chairman, Attah @ 85 Planning Committee, announced that ‘‘The birthday programme will start on Saturday, 18th November with the Victor Bassey Attah Golf Tournament to be hosted by Ibom Golf Club. The tournament is expected to attract more than 400 Golfers from around the country to the State.
‘‘On Monday, 20th November, Uyo Book Club, Nigeria’s leading Book Club initiative will host a Colloquium in his honour. The Keynote Speaker will be Engr. Professor Linus Asuquo, former Commissioner, Ministry of Science and Technology and presently, the Director-General & Chief Executive Officer, National Metallurgical Development Center, Jos, Plateau State.
‘‘The immediate past Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem will be the Chairman of the intellectual feast that is scheduled to hold in Nelson Mandela Hall, Watbridge Hotel and Suites, Uyo from 2 p.m.
‘‘Tuesday would be devoted to private visits to places of interest by the former Governor while the weeklong birthday celebrations would be rounded off on Sunday, 26th November with a Thanksgiving Mass to be celebrated by the Catholic Archbishop of the Metropolitan See of Calabar, His Grace, The Most Rev. Joseph Ekuwem, the Bishop of Uyo Diocese, The Most Rev. Joseph Ayah and other visiting Bishops and Priests. The Thanksgiving Mass will hold in St Dominic’s Parish, Dominic Utuk Avenue, Uyo from 3 p.m.’’
He, therefore, urged Akwa Ibom people, and men and women of goodwill to join in the celebration of a father figure, a quintessential leader, a well respected statesman and pride of Akwa Ibom State.
