By Iyoho Emmanuel
ABUJA — A university don of Akwa Ibom State University(AKSU), has urged indigenes of Etinan Local Government Area residing in Abuja to embrace unity and cooperate with government at all levels for the advancement of their people.
Professor Aniebiet Etuk stated this while speaking as a guest at the monthly general meeting of the Etinan Local Government Assembly, Abuja Chapter, held at Akwa Ibom House, Abuja.
Fielding questions from journalists shortly after the meeting, Etuk was delighted at the gathering, saying he was unaware that such a regular meeting of Etinan indigenes existed in Abuja until he was invited by his elder brother.
“I am so happy. I never knew we have this type of gathering here in Abuja,” he said.
According to him, the opportunity to eat together, interact and share experiences with his kinsmen made the meeting particularly meaningful.
He described the monthly meeting as a commendable initiative capable of strengthening unity and promoting the collective interests of the people.
“There is nothing as good as unity. As we are sitting down here, we have people from different denominations, different political parties. When we come together, eat together, thank God together, share our problems together, solve our problems together and plan together, there is nothing as good as that,” he said.
Etuk commended the leadership of the Etinan Local Government Assembly for sustaining the gathering and urged them to remain focused on bringing the people together to plan collectively and work towards shared development goals.
He noted that some people may simply be unaware of the platform and pledged his support to the organization to strengthen its communication and outreach efforts so that more Etinan indigenes are informed of the assembly’s activities.
Speaking on politics and the forthcoming elections, he urged Etinan people to remain united and support good governance and the continuity of Governor Pastor Umo Eno.
“I don’t like people of the local government playing opposition. The main government there is APC. So you have to join hands with the governor and support his good work, and we believe he will succeed,” he said.
He further urged the people to give political leaders the necessary support and environment to govern effectively, adding that leaders who are not distracted by unnecessary conflicts would be better positioned to improve the lives of the people.
He also gave the governor a positive assessment of his performance so far.
The university don was well received by the leadership and members of the Etinan Local Government Assembly at the meeting.
He was presented with a copy of the association’s constitution by the President of the Assembly, Akparawa Nkaidem Akpabio.
Akpabio, who is the outgoing president, called on Etinan indigenes to attend meetings regularly, identify with one another and support whoever assumes leadership, stressing that the community was bigger than any individual.
“I urge Etinan sons and daughters in Abuja and beyond to keep the community flag flying by strengthening unity, welfare and collective development,” Akpabio added.