The Chairman of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), Akwa Ibom State chapter, Apostle Nyeneime Andy has said that the party is no longer a dream but a reality in the state.
Speaking at a thanksgiving service by the YPP, a day after its governorship and House of Assembly campaigns flag-off, Sunday, October 23, 2022, at the Holy Ghost Ambassadors Ministry, Uyo, Apostle Andy, expressed appreciation to God for its unprecedented acceptability by the populace within a short time.
“It was like a dream when OBA became the official candidate of YPP. It was like a dream when a small YPP became a household name. And when we woke, it was no longer a dream but a reality…As we stand; it is no longer a dream. OBA is no longer a dream. AIG Amba is no longer a dream. YPP is no longer a dream but a reality,” he said while drawing reference from Psalms 126:1.
In a homily entitled, “That Same God” Apostle Andy, reading from Hebrews 13:8: said the very God who did wonders from the days of Abraham and Isaac has never changed and still reigns in the affairs of men.
According to him, whenever it is a man’s turn, there is nothing anyone can do to stop it, prophesying that the same God who made Obong Victor Attah, Obong Godswill Akpabio and Mr Udom Emmanuel governors will do the same for OBA, whom he described as a David about to defeat a Goliath.
He listed faith and patience as some of the conditions needed for “That Same God” to manifest Himself in anybody’s life.
In response, Senator Albert Bassey Akpan (OBA), the governorship candidate, said they came to express gratitude to God because it was not about the wish of men but the will of God; pledging that they will not disappoint God, the party and the masses.
He said his emergence as YPP’s governorship candidate was part of God’s design, expressing confidence that YPP will be victorious, even though they have been blocked from campaigning in public facilities.
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The chairman of Akwa Ubok Abasi Campaign Council, Sir Emem Akpabio, said those who claimed YPP had no structure forgot that the biggest structure belongs to God and pledged that they will never deviate from His path.
The YPP national chairman, Comrade Emmanuel Bishop Amakiri, said the party seems to have a lot in common with the Akwa Ibom people, as the first person he discussed the vision of YPP with was an Akwa Ibom person.
He then described Akwa Ibom people as reliable and committed, just as he advised Senator OBA not to disappoint his people when he becomes the next governor.
Themed “A New Dawn”, the service was attended by members of both National and State Working Committees, led by the national chairman, Comrade Bishop Amakiri.
A day earlier, OBA, the YPP governorship candidate, during the campaign flag-off, had entered into a covenant with Akwa Ibom people to reverse the ugly socio-economic situation they have endured for the past seven years.
Presenting his blueprint, he said his mandate was anchored on the 3R principles – to Recover, Reconcile the state to God and Reposition it for imminent greatness.
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OBA, while evaluating the current situation in the state, also stated clear steps he will take to tackle the situation, once he becomes the governor from May 29, 2023, including launching the first phase of the N50 billion Prosperity Trust Fund to mitigate the root cause of poverty, especially in the rural areas.
His government, he said, will focus on five strategic pillars: Agriculture and rural development; education, health, and social services; economic prosperity and infrastructure; security, environment and tourism; as well as administrative reforms and completion of projects.
The YPP governorship candidate also promised that the rot in the educational sector will be addressed by ensuring free and qualitative education in both primary and secondary schools. Also, OBA assured that the state university will be returned to its original status of science and technology and maritime based to strategically reposition the state to be a major intellectual hub.
On students’ welfare, the Senator promised that his government will facilitate bursaries, scholarships and grants to them as well as establish one technical school in each of the ten federal constituencies.
He promised that his government will be civil service friendly, as imprest, allowances, leave grants and the general welfare of civil servants will be considered a priority.
Additionally, he said modalities will immediately be set up for the settlement of outstanding accumulated pensions and gratuities both at the local government and state levels to arrest the massive mortality rate of retirees after their selfless service to the state.
Imprest and all other allowances meant to ensure the smooth running of government business will be promptly attended to as at when due, while the “13th-month” salary will be reintroduced to appreciate our civil servants for their hard work over the years.
He equally spoke of plans for effective transportation and healthcare services, adequate and affordable housing as well as power. Ibaka Deep Seaport, according to the Senator, will be moved from the realm of politics to that of actualization.
He pledged to create about 500,000 jobs in two years from Tourism and Agriculture developments.
According to OBA, every Akwa Ibom person will be a stakeholder in his government.
