The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio has affirmed that his mother, late Mrs. Lucy Akpabio was the one who groomed him and instilled strong moral values which has shaped his character and helped him navigate through life.
The Senate President, speaking on the occasion of his 61st birthday celebration yesterday, December 9, 2023 in Uyo, said that it was the strong moral values his late mother instilled in him that has kept up the drive in him to lead a exemplary life.
He recounted how he lost his father while he was just six months old, and how his mother took up the enormous task of catering for him and striving to provide all he needed to stand tall.
Senator Akpabio who is also the former Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, expressed gratitude to his mother who doed in the year 2000, for not just taking the onerous task of raising him without a father, but ensuring that she taught him to understand the value of integrity, dedication, hardwork, and friendliness, stressing that those values have remained guiding stars to him.
He also thanked his wife, Mrs. Ekaette Unoma Akpabio for her unwavering support, and his siblings for always keeping a close family tie that have paved ways for many good things to come his way.
Many dignitaries, including the wife of the President of Nigeria, Pastor Oluremi Tinubu, eulogized the starling leadership qualities of Senator Akpabio and wished him a glorious new year ahead.
Speaking shortly after the official cutting of the Senate President’s birthday cake, Oluremi Tinubu described Senator Akpabio as: “an extraordinary and uncommon man in our generation.”
According to her, Senator Akpabio’s commitment to serving Nigeria diligently has stood him out as a patriot who is committed to the principles of accountability, transparency and unity.
“It is my pleasure to be here today to celebrate the 61st Birthday anniversary of an extraordinary man, uncommon in our generation. This occasion is not only a celebration but also an opportunity to reflect on the immense contributions he has made to Akwa Ibom state in particular and Nigeria as a whole.
“Senator Akpabio’s journey in public service from his early days as a lawyer to his tenure as governor of Akwa Ibom state and now as the Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is worth mentioning. It is noteworthy that under his leadership Akwa Ibom State witnessed remarkable infrastructural development, improved health care services and educational opportunities.
“His administration focused on human capital development and poverty alleviation programmes that transformed the lives of many particularly the most vulnerable in the society.
“Senator Akpabio has continued to serve our nation diligently in the Senate. As the Senate president he has displayed exemplary Leadership, fostered unity, and promoted the interest of many Nigerians. May this day be filled with joy and I pray that you celebrate many more birthdays in good health, peace and happiness.”
The president’s wife hailed members of the national assembly for cooperating with senate president to provide effective legislation and support to the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s presidency.
She also thanked Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno and the political class in Akwa Ibom State for working in unison with the senate and the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration at the federal level.
“All the other states that they call opposition, if I come to your state to work, no one can stop me because I will do the work. Nigerians deserve that. We have a programme for the elderly coming up and all the Governors wives to know that they were supposed to be involved. “We want to give financial assistance to 250 elderly people per State. Politics is over they should allow us to govern the people.”
