From Joe Effiong, Uyo
Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio has described Nigeria as a sick nation which needs everyone to join hands to revive, else it dies.
Addressing a crowd that turned up at his first constituency briefing at Ikot Ekpene Township Stadium, yesterday, Senator Akpabio, who was in company with his colleagues, including Dino Melaye, Theodore Orji and Minority Whip, Philip Aduda, warned that unless those beating drums of separatism and wars were checked, the steady heartbeat of the nation could eventually run into convulsion.
He described Nigeria as “child of rape since Lord Frederick Lugard and his wife did not consult our forefathers before amalgamating Nigeria, and it is only in rape that the consent of the woman is not sought. I will plead with Nigerian children not to allow the circumstances of their father’s birth to affect their future.”
Akpabio doled out cash and equipment to his constituents in the 10 local government areas making up Ikot Ekpene senatorial district, and enthused that the present recession is not insurmountable.
“…You cannot solve the national recession by demonising the citizenry and expect foreign investment because investors, when they come, would talk to the citizens. You cannot demonise all Nigerians and expect recession to end.”
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, who commended Akpabio for a sterling performance since going to the Senate, despite being a first-time senator, lamented that Nigeria is sick economically but vibrant politically.
Emmanuel explained that it is only in an economically sick but politically vibrant nation that constituents would seek to recall a senator who has performed well like senator Melaye.
He asked beneficiaries of the empowerment scheme to make good use of the opportunity so that by next year, they would have been able not only to multiply the equipment given to them, but, also, to employ other persons so that unemployment in the state could be reduced.
Senator Aduda presented a goodwill message from the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki while Melaye, in his remarks, commended the Akwa Ibom State Government for good governance which he said is lacking in his home state of Kogi.
He seized the opportunity to invite governor Emmanuel and Senator Akpabio to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).