Former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has praised the developmental initiatives of Ebonyi State Governor, Engineer David Umahi, stressing that his achievements in office in the past seven and a half years have made him “another shining star of democracy in Nigeria.”
Senator Akpabio made the statement after receiving a State Honours Award 2022 as GRAND COMMANDER EBONYI HALL OF FAME (GCEHF), in recognition of his notable service to Ebonyi State and humanity.
Receiving the award on behalf of Senator Akpabio, former Commissioner of the Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority in Abakaliki, Engineer IK Ugwuegede, thanked the government and good people of Ebonyi State for the honour.
The commissioner said that the developmental strides of Governor Umahi in Ebonyi State reminded him of Akwa Ibom State (2007-2015), when he (Akpabio) launched “Uncommon Transformation” on the state and its people.
Akpabio further stated that he is encouraged by this award to do more in his contribution to national development while also cementing the relationship between Akwa Ibom people and Ebonyi people.
Other dignitaries who were conferred with honour include the late former Head of State, Sani Abacha; former President Goodluck Jonathan GCFR; Chief of Staff to the President, Ibrahim Gambari (who also represented President Muhammadu Buhari); some serving and former state governors—the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami SAN; Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele; Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, and others.
