COMMENTARY
A BRIEF ON 61ST BIRTHDAY COLLOQUIUM FOR SENATOR GODSWILL
AKPABIO
This is reporting from the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, here in Abuja, Nigeria's capital from where we are bringing to you the live coverage of the 61st Birthday Colloquium in honour of His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio , President of the Nigerian Senate, CON. So much to be said about the man who is loved and admired by many and has distinguished himself across bounds in his career and for the society at large. It was an interesting moment here at the event which lasted about 240 minutes. My name is Soljoe.
The 61st Birthday Colloquium of Senator Godswill Akpabio is a momentous occasion meant to celebrate the life and achievements of a remarkable statesman. Holding here in his honour at the prestigious Transcorp Hilton Hotel, this event has brought together dignitaries, friends, and well-wishers from all walks of life to commemorate a man who has made significant contributions to the development of his community and the nation at large.
Indeed, Senator Godswill Akpabio, a former Governor of Akwa Ibom State in Nigeria, has been a beacon of hope and a catalyst for positive change throughout his career.
His commitment to good governance, infrastructure development, and empowerment initiatives has earned him a reputation as a visionary leader and a true servant of the people.
In case you didn't know, a birthday Colloquium is a gathering of people to celebrate the birthday of an individual, in such a way as to make notable speeches, presentations, and discussions on topics related to the individual's life and achievements.
So, in the course of the event you would get to know more about the uncommon feats attained by His Excellency Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio in his political career thus far and indeed, his laudable contributions to the society.
No doubt His Excellency is greatly loved and cherished by many. The mammoth crowd witnessed last week Saturday at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium during the first in the series of his 61st Birthday celebration is indeed a resounding testimony.
Now, a bit about some major achievements of Senator Godswill Akpabio while Governor of Akwa Ibom State.
During his tenure as the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio achieved several significant milestones. Some of his major achievements include:
On Infrastructural Development, Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio prioritized the development of critical infrastructure in the state. Under his leadership, the state witnessed significant improvements in road networks, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, and the aviation sector. Notable projects include the construction of Uyo-Ikot Ekpene Road, the dualization of Eket-Ibeno Road, and the establishment of the Ibom Specialist Hospital, among others.
On Industrialization, the most distinguished Senator Obot Akpabio was instrumental in attracting investments and promoting industrialisation in Akwa Ibom State.
In his political ascendance His Excellency, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, former governor, former Minority leader of the Senate and former Minister, to the position of Senate President, can be described as ‘who the cap fits, let him have it’.
Akpabio first shot into the national limelight was in 2007 when he defeated the candidate of the incumbent governor to grab the gubernatorial ticket of the then-ruling Peoples Democratic Party for Akwa Ibom State. He easily won the general election on the strength of his popularity and the faith of the electorate that he will take Akwa Ibom State to the next level. And this, he did.
Distinguished Senator Akpabio in eight years transformed Akwa Ibom state so ingeniously that the performance of other officeholders was measured by Akpabio's landslide achievements.
His performance as governor of Akwa Ibom state was so legendary that he was dubbed, ‘the uncommon performer’.
His greatest achievement while in office as Governor was not really the infrastructure he built but the investment he made in human capital for the future of Akwa Ibom state. For instance, he took up the matter of the Akwa Ibom child as dear to his heart. Hence, he was the first state governor in Nigeria to sign the Child Rights Acts which protected children from all kinds of abuse. And realising that rights without opportunities amount to nothing, Akpabio introduced free and compulsory education, up to the secondary school level.
He carried his performance streak to the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs. When he got there, the Niger Delta Development Commission had operated from a rented office space for 18 years of its existence. The head office project, started 24 years prior, by the defunct Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission (OMPADEC) was abandoned. This was not acceptable to Akpabio who believes in the politics of sustainability. He got to work and in less than 18 months saw to the completion of the 12-storey complex that serves as the Commission’s headquarters today.
Akpabio belongs to the utilitarian school of politics. He sees governance as a platform for service to the people, not self. To him, governance is about the needs of the people and the capacity of the leader to develop creative solutions to meet those needs.
Akpabio has been elected to office as a groomed leader. The experience gathered as the chief executive of a telecommunications firm, then as a commissioner, then as a governor, then as a Senate minority leader and minister has equipped him to lead a Senate of Nigeria’s best. The combination of this experience with his charisma, self-confidence, pan-national political network and people-oriented mindset means he will find legislative solutions to the challenging problems of a traumatised country in uncertain times.
It was an interesting and very memorable moment here at the 61st Birthday Colloquium in honour of Distinguished Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio in the last 240 minutes. Thank you for being there all the while. Bye for now.
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