An appeal has been made to Akwa Ibom State indigenes in Lagos to embrace, unity, work closer with government and collaborate with one another especially in these trying times.

The call was made by Michael Effiong James, Senior Special Assistant (Lagos Liaison) to Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno during an interactive session with presidents of Local Government Area Communities at the Liaison Office in Victoria Island, Lagos.

The senior aide noted in his address that he decided to call the meeting to farmiliarise himself with the LG Presidents and exchange ideas on matters of mutual interest to them and their members.

In his words “ I am delighted to welcome you to what I can call your Embassy in Lagos. This meeting is very timely because we needed to know each other, seek more support for the Pastor Umo Eno administration and map out strategies that well help the welfare and wellbeing of our people here in Lagos and environs”

While noting that positive action and goal-oriented attitude would greatly improve the community, he added that the plethora of challenges faced today can be tackled through team work.

He informed them that he was unhappy with the atmosphere of disunity among indigenes especially in their associations and urged that it was time to bury the hatchet and work together towards making giant strides.

Mr James stated that collaboration instead of fierce competition was the way to go for Akwa Ibom indigenes to climb higher in the economic ladder of Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial nerve centre

While urging them to be law-abiding citizens in Lagos, he noted that those of them who desire to embrace agriculture or engage in any form of business can consider investing back home as the Umo Eno government is business-friendly.

He stated that in the last eight months Governor Uno Eno has done a lot to deliver good governance to his people.

According to him, the government has paid over N12 billion as pension and gratuities to retirees, spent N3billion as well as FG’s N2billion loan on various palliatives measures, began a bursary scheme for Akwa Ibom indigenes in public higher institutions, built model primary schools and health centres, spent over N10billion on inherited projects, flagged off 49 development projects across all the 31 LGAs and making good on his campaign promise of rural development with extensive road projects scattered across the state.

In addition to calling for the people to return to farming, the SSA stated that Governor Umo Eno has recently submitted an executive bill to the house to set up a bulk purchase agency to urgently stem the tide of high cost of food items.

He pleaded with the people to have some patience as the government’s robust economic and social plans are taking shape and there are good times ahead.

He also used the opportunity to reveal some new developments in the liaison office including the data collection project, which he said is aimed at seamless communication and interaction between the office and the indigenes.

Earlier in his remarks, Coordinator of Presidents of Akwa Ibom Communities, Elder Maurice Isaac was full of thanks to the Senior Special Assistant for initiating the meeting and seeking to find areas of collaboration with indigenes living in Lagos.

Noting that this is the first time the body will be invited for such a meeting, he stated that he would mobilize his people to ensure that the symbiotic relationship established bears fruits.

Also speaking, Dr. Edet Ambang, President of Akwa Ibom Communities (AKISCOM) Lagos, who attended the meeting in his capacity as President, Oron Union noted that the initiative was noble and affirmed that he was certain that their members will give full support to Governor Eno and his administration.

The highpoint of the meeting was the demonstration of the data collection project by Mr. Uko Edet after which Mrs Eme Bassey, Special Assistant (Lagos) delivered a vote of thanks where she sought continuous engagement between the indigenes and the Liaison Office.