Akpabio Calls For Strengthening of Ties Between South South and South East

Akwa Ibom Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio has stressed the need for
economic integration between South-South and South-East Regions of
Nigeria to fast-track development and mutual co-existence of the regions.
Governor Akpabio, who stated this Saturday at Nnewi in Anambra State
after being conferred with the chieftaincy title of "Omelu-Ora" by Igwe of
Nnewi, His Royal Highness, Igwe Kenneth Orilu III as part of activities
concluding a week-long celebration of Igwe's 50 years on the throne, noted
“We are great sons and daughters of South-East and South- South must
make conscious efforts to unite the two regions.

According to him, "By this gesture, we have re-united the South-South and
the South East, which is something myself and Governor Peter Obi have
been trying to do in the last six years. These regions must be united and
that is why we started the South-East and South-South Governors’ Forum
and today we are having a meeting to bring about economic integration of
the regions. When we have a united South-South and South-East, we will
have a greater voice in the comity of states in Nigeria”.

The Governor commended the Igwe of Nnewi for the honour done on him,
saying “I receive the title because your background and your pedigrees are
well known to all. I found out that you are a grand patron of the Men’s
Fellowship of Anglican Church. That shows that you have brought
Christianity into governance, you have brought God into your throne. That
is why I associate with you because every authority comes from God and
that is what you are practising”.

He described Nnewi town as the spiritual headquarters of Igbo land,
observed “Nnewi town is the spiritual headquarters of Igbo land, because
here is the soil of the great icon, Odumegu Ojukwu. I want to congratulate
the people of Nnewi for keeping this culture and for embracing other
Nigerians.

"My presence here today is not because I am your great in-law. It is
because of the efforts of my administration in the last six years, turning
things around in every section of Nigeria. That is why the Nnewi man
appreciates progress. The Nnewi person is a person that believes in
development, the Nnewi child is a child that believes in progress and
foresightedness, that is why you decided to honour me”.

The Anambra Governor, Mr. Peter Obi, who said the conferment of
"Omelu-Ora" chieftaincy title on Governor Akpabio by the Igwe-in-council
of Nnewi was justified, described Akpabio as a true Nigerian committed to
the total transformation of Nigeria, saying “This man is one who is
committed not just to the transformation of Akwa Ibom State but to
Nigeria”.

Governor Akpabio's wife, Unoma was also honoured by the Igwe of Nnewi
with the chieftaincy title of ‘Ada Eji Eze Mba’ of Nnewi town.

SOURCE: INSIGHT NEWSPAPERS