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| Engr. Akak |
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Ben Akak Foundation, Engr. Ben Akak has felicitated with the Governor of Cross River State, Prof. Ben Ayade on the occasion of his 5 years in office as governor of the state and on Nigeria’s Democracy Day.
Engr. Akak, a philanthropist and businessman, stated this in a goodwill message to the governor on Friday.
He extolled the governor for industrializing the state within the 5 years of his administration despite lean resources, adding that the resultant effect is evident in the industries spread across the 18 Local Government Areas of the State and jobs created for Cross Riverians. He expressed optimism that sooner than expected, revenues that will be injected into the State coffers as the years goes by will gradually decouple the state from its overdependence on the Federal Allocation.
He said: “Today marks the beginning of a new beginning for Cross River State and Cross Riverians alike even as Nigeria marks the 29th day of May as a day where Nigeria practically walked into a new era of democracy.
Continuing, Engr. Akak said: “Five years ago on this very day, you stepped into the scene with a clearly articulated vision for the future of Cross River State and its people. You came in knowing the enormity of the challenges our people face which you know would require long-term solutions. This you have pursued with equal zest”.
“You came in to industrialise the state and today, it is obvious that after five years, Cross River State can boast of emerging industries. The resultant effects of the myriads of industries that are spread across the 18 Local Government Areas of the State are the jobs created for Cross Riverians, the revenues that will be injected into the State coffers as the years goes by and as those industries gain momentum, sooner than expected, the State will gradually be decoupled from its overdependence on the Federal Allocation”. He said.
On education, Engr. Akak said the intellectual and professorial acumen heightened by the presence of his Deputy, Prof. Ivara Esu has been a plus to the State, which is why giant strides has been recorded in the Education sector through the State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB.
He concluded by saluting the governor for driving his vision despite dwindling finances, promising to support his vision.
“As we begin this new era, I want to wholeheartedly congratulate you and salute your courage to drive your selfless vision even in the face of our peculiar dwindling financial base . For us at the Ben Akak Foundation, we are poised to support your deep vision in transforming the State and taking it to its eldorado”.
