Prof Archianga Calls For Unity, Peace And Concerted Efforts Towards Successful 2023 General Elections

The Paramount Ruler of Ibeno Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State, His Royal Majesty (Prof.) Owong Effiong Bassey Archianga ķhas urged all Nigerians to place the unity, peace and development of the country above all other interests throughout the New Year and beyond.

Prof Archianga, who is the National Life Patron of the Association of Traditional Rulers of Oil Mineral Producing Communities of Nigeria (TROMPCON), said only through concerted efforts by Nigerians, all tiers of governments, public and private institutions including non-governmental organizations can we build a peaceful and prosperous nation.

Speaking in his New Year message entitled “Let Us Embrace Peace, Unity and Selflessness For The Progress of Nigeria,” the royal father, a former Chairman of Akwa Ibom State Council of Chiefs, noted that for Nigeria to move forward as expected in this New Year and beyond, Nigerians across all parts of the country must purge themselves of self-centeredness, ethnicity, religious biases, political misunderstanding and avaricious lifestyles.

He lamented that such negative tendencies in the country are the major reasons why at the states and federal levels, we encounter several challenges that have marred our concomitant growth since after independence in 1960.

“As my New Year message to the people of Akwa Ibom State and Nigerians generally, I urge all to place the unity, peace and development of the country above all other interests throughout the New Year and beyond.

It can only be through concerted efforts by Nigerians, all tiers of governments, public and private institutions, including non-governmental organizations that we can build a peaceful and prosperous nation.

“I sincerely believe that for our state and nation to move forward as expected in this New Year and beyond, we must purge ourselves of self-centeredness, ethnicity, religious biases, political misunderstanding and avaricious lifestyles. Obviously these negative tendencies are the major reasons why at the states and federal levels, we encounter several challenges that have marred our concomitant growth since after independence in 1960.

“As we have entered a new year – 2023; there are fresh hopes by all Nigerians for a peaceful and prosperous society. All the good things we desire will not happen on its own as it is left in our hands to make the country to become what we want of it.

“Let me specifically call on political leaders, candidates of the various parties and their supporters to pursue their aspirations in a friendly manner devoid of conflict, shedding of blood and manipulations. The 2023 general elections is an event that will come and go. So let politicians and their supporters not see the elections as a do or die affair. Power belongs to God and He will surely enthrone those who will be good to move the states and nation forward.

According to Prof Archianga, who is also the Chancellor of St. Thomas-a-Becket University, Canterbury, England, African campus, Ibeno; Nigerians should always avoid what will be detrimental to the economic activities in their respective areas, as such will cause hardship and starvation.

The royal father, who previously served as the National President of the Association of Traditional Rulers of Oil Mineral Producing Communities of Nigeria (TROMPCON) for two-term National President further called for team work for the achievement of peaceful, transparent and acceptable elections.

“I also appeal to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in concert with all security agencies – the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS) and other bodies, to conduct transparent, credible and acceptable elections in February and March 2023. We have no other country except Nigeria.

“As leaders and traditional rulers, let us foster unity and peace as well as dissuade the youths from indulging in any act that will disrupt the wellbeing of the states and the nation as a whole,” he added.

Prof Archianga used the occasion to thank the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Udom Gabriel Emmanuel; the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Frank Archibong, other Commissioners in the State Executive Council; Ibeno Local Government Council; the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Police, CP Olatoye Durosinmi, the Catholic Church, State Council of Chiefs, Ibeno Traditional Rulers Council; the Osunenim Family in Ibeno and several other persons and organisations for extending prayers and support for the obsequies of his departed father, Late Obong (Papa) James Bassey Archianga UkotIbeno, alias MMM- Ntak Ayaba Adibo-Atid, who joined his creator at the age of 130 on January 15, 2022 and was laid to rest on Saturday, November 26, 2022 after a funeral mass conducted by the SS Peter & Paul Parish, Mkpanak, Ibeno.