New Year Message: Oku Ibom Ibibio Urges Akwa Ibomites To Be Bonded In Love, Unity and Progress

Oku Ibom Ibibio and President General of Akwa Ibom State Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers, His Eminence, Ntenyin (Dr) Solomon Daniel Etuk, JP, CFR, has urged the people of Akwa Ibom State to be bonded in love and unity as a pathway to attain desirable progress and state development.

The premier royal monarch made the call in his 2026 New Year message titled “Let’s Be Bonded in Love, Unity and Progress”, issued in Ikot Ukobo, Nsit Ubium Local Government Area, on Thursday, January 1, 2026.

“As we step into this New Year of 2026, which heralds greater hope, let us all anchor ourselves in love and unity while pursuing the collective progress and development of Akwa Ibom State.

“Without doubt, when we fervently toe this path, it will unlock the greatness of our dearly cherished homeland – Akwa Ibom State,” Ntenyin Etuk stated.

The Patriarch of Ibibios worldwide called on leaders in public and private sectors to be guided by the fear of God in their decisions and to also lead with integrity, compassion, and fairness, while placing the people’s welfare above all else.

Related: June 12: Oku Ibom Ibibio Urges Leaders To Deepen Democracy, Prioritise National Interest

He also charged the people to rally behind our leaders and government, support their efforts, offer constructive ideas when necessary, and celebrate milestones to encourage quality leadership and service.

The royal father advised against the habit of “pull-down syndrome” in our society, maintaining that it is only when we work together that we can turn our challenges into triumphs and build a state of our collective dreams.

He said, “As we begin afresh, there is a need to go into the New Year with renewed minds, ensure a healthy environment in our socio-economic and political life, forgive one another, and forsake backbiting and the tendency to destroy one another to gain favour and cause ripples where there should be none,” describing such an attitude as despicable.

“As a new dawn, let’s go into the New Year with renewed minds, ensure a healthy environment in our socio-economic and political life, forgive one another, forsake backbiting and the tendency to destroy one another to gain favour, and cause ripples where there should be none. Let’s stop the pull-down syndrome in our ranks.

“To our leaders in the public and private sectors: May the fear of God guide your decisions. Lead with integrity, compassion, and fairness. Place the people’s welfare above all else.

“To our people: Let us rally behind our leaders and government. Support their efforts, offer constructive ideas – when necessary – and celebrate milestones to encourage quality leadership and service. Together, we can turn challenges into triumphs and build a state of our collective dreams.

“I wish to emphasise that we let kindness flow, let progress speak, so that Akwa Ibom State can continue to shine brighter!, he added.

In the message, the Supreme Monarch wished all citizens peace, joy, and a prosperous future!