Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, has charged members of the Bayelsa State Executive Council on performance to enable the state government impact positively on the people.

Speaking as a guest on the third day of the Bayelsa cabinet retreat at the Ibom Icon Hotel and Golf Resort in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Governor Emmanuel said in order for his colleague-governor to succeed, members of the executive council must play a very crucial part.

He stressed that history would demand an account of stewardship from leaders at various levels and lauded the Bayelsa government for the holding the retreat as it is necessary for service delivery.

The Akwa Ibom governor urged the participants to put the knowledge gathered into practice, stressing the need for loyalty and love for the state, which he said would motivate them to put the interest of the people ahead of any personal considerations.

He remarked that resources are not always readily available but tasked the cabinet members to evolve ways of delivering service to the people even in difficult circumstances.

Emmanuel lauded his Bayelsa counterpart, Senator Douye Diri, for his strides in office and called for sustenance of the cordial relationship between both states.

His words: “Leadership is not easy. At times when we talk about leadership, unfortunately we all look at the governor in Nigeria. But everybody inside this room is a leader. If we all play our role we would be better off.

“Your governor is somebody I love so well. Even his predecessor, we worked closely. If we can collaborate as a state, we have a lot to offer each other and our region.

“I love the brainstorming session. Whatever you study in theory, you still need to go back and practise it.

“Loyalty starts with what you deliver in your ministry. Your relationship with the governor should not be defined by money. You must be passionate about something.”

In his response, Governor Douye Diri thanked his Akwa Ibom colleague for the warm reception accorded him and the cabinet members.

He remarked that the decision to hold the retreat was informed by its desire to serve the people of the state better.

Governor Diri praised the relationship between Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom, which he described as cordial, stressing that if both states continue to collaborate they can achieve much together.

“I want to appreciate and thank you profusely on behalf of the government and people of Bayelsa State for your hospitality and the warm reception. We believe that this cordial relationship between your state and ours would continue to grow. We know that as a people with shared problems and challenges, we have a lot in common that we can pursue as a group,” he said.

Day three of the retreat featured presentations by the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Dame Didi Walson-Jack and a retired Permanent Secretary and former Director of Protocol in Bayelsa, Mr. Joseph Akedesuo as well as a former Acting Director-General, Department of State Services, Mr. Matthew Seiyefa and former Chairman, National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, retired Major Lancelot Anyanya.

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