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From Joe Effiong, Uyo
Former Director General, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Brig Gen Anthony Etukudo (retd), has lambasted his kinsman and former Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Chief Nduese Essien, for criticising the yearly celebration of the anniversary of the creation of Akwa Ibom State by the state government.
He had told Daily Sun last Sunday that Akwa Ibom was created the same day with Katsina, but that while Katsina and other states created by the military had long stopped such celebrations, Akwa Ibom has continued with the annual celebration.
“The resources spent on anniversary celebrations could be applied for other developments instead of wasting it away in frivolous anniversary celebration activities,” Essien said.
But reacting, Etukudo said Essien was on a frolic of his own, and completely dissociated the people of Eket from his comments.
Etukudo, who is also a high chief in Eket just like the former minister, told Daily Sun, yesterday, that celebrating the anniversary is one of the ways of showcasing the state to attract development.
“Governor Emmanuel is showing the world that there is peace in Akwa Ibom. Some of those states Chief Essien alluded to cannot celebrate their anniversary not because they would not have loved to, but because they don’t have what to show for and they are faced with security challenges and cannot host such high-profile dignitaries for security reasons whereas Akwa Ibom is very safe for everyone courtesy of Governor Udom Emmanuel,” Etukudo said.
