APC Chieftain Babafemi Ojodu applauds Gov. Udom Emmanuel on the Akwa Ibom brand, security

Naija Eye Witness News

An APC Chieftain and Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Political Matters, Senator Babafemi Ojodu, has applauded the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel on the Akwa Ibom brand and security.

Senator Ojodu’s commendation was contained in an address read during the public presentation of the book titled “Akwa Ibom Heroes: Inside Story of Abrogation of Onshore-offshore Oil Dichotomy” written by Etim Etim on Friday April 1, 2022, in Uyo.

The Journalist turned politicians who represented Nigeria’s Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo at the book launch said he loves the Akwa Ibom cuisines and the peaceful environment which has engendered development and peace.

“It is my pleasure to be here today to represent the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo. When our leader the former, law maker and former Minister, Chief Nduese Essien came in here, his retort was “oh you are here again?” Yes, I am here Chief. Akwa Ibom is one place I always love to come back to. I love the people for their friendliness, I love the environment, I enjoy my edikanikong, Afang, Ekpankukwo in its original form” Babafemi said.

He said that there was no ugly incident that affected the more than 2000 Nigerians who converged on Uyo for the Declaration in support of Prof. Yemi Osibanjo.

“More than 2,000 Nigerians were ferried in to Uyo from across the country. It was all about your brand. The report that came to me thereafter indicated they had a good time. There was no accident of any kind, no kidnapping, the hotels made their stay memorable and the cuisine, I was told, was something else. They also reported their beautiful encounter with the kids musical wonders” Babafemi eulogized.

He said when he was consulted for a state in the South to host the South Declaration, he chose Akwa Ibom given its serenity and peaceful demeanour.

“About two months ago when the young men and women rooting for Prof Osinbajo came to consult me on the most appropriate place to have the South Declaration, I readily suggested Akwa Ibom” he averred.

He also applauded Ibom Air for revolutionizing the aviation sector in Nigeria “Flying in here is also made easy by your airline, Ibom Air. 12 noon is 12 noon. No playing games. So, the Akwa Ibom brand is an attraction for me”. Ojodu concluded.

While speaking as Special Guest of Honour during the book Launch, Ojodu tasked leaders to ensure ethe deployment and usage of public resources for the betterment of Nigerians.

“As we sit here what we should ponder on is if we have honored those who embarked on this struggle enough. When I say this, I do not mean the kind of honour Mr. Etim and all us are doing today which is equally important. The ultimate honor is to ensure that the resources thus granted through the efforts of the heroes we are celebrating be used to serve the interest of the people and to ensure that we leave something for the generation yet unborn”. He said.

He called for proactive measures on the part of government, researchers and inventors to chart an alternative route for income generation and better management of resources.

“Oil resources is finite. The oil is being depleted daily and researchers are frenetically finding alternatives. In Europe and some Asian countries today the charging stations are more than the fueling stations. In the next 30 years oil may not be worth anything. We must therefore be mindful of what we spend today’s resourceful on. Let today’s leadership invest what comes in today for the benefit of our children and grandchildren. Let it not be said of you tomorrow when another patriot like Etim does a book about today that you are one of those who frittered away the resources that could have been invested in enduring and resourceful ventures” Ojodu counselled.

Babafemi Ojodu is a veteran Journalist and politician, He was Senator for the Ekiti Central constituency of Ekiti State, under the Action Congress of Nigeria in 2011. On January 7, 2016 Ojudu was named Special Adviser Political Matters by President Muhammadu Buhari, a position he has held until date.