Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel says all efforts of his administration are ‘irrevocably geared towards industrialisation of the state,’ adding also that he has sponsored 100 youths from the 31 local government areas of the state to the 2015 youth pilgrimage.

In separate statements released in Uyo and Abuja, on Monday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Ekerete Udoh and the Head of Media, Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC), Mr. Celestine Ogugua.

It was gathered that the governor used his first 100 days in office to lay foundation for laudable projects and resuscitation of moribund industries.

The governor gave assurance that his five-point agenda of industrialisation would centre on wealth creation, political inclusion, infrastructural consolidation, job creation and sustainable development.

The statement listed the projects embarked upon by the governor as laying of foundation stones for automobile industry at Itu Local Government Area and Shoprite Shopping Mall in Uyo.

Other projects are laying of foundation for the building of Daar Communications Broadcast Complex and another for Greenwell Technologies Fertiliser Manufacturing Plant all in Abak Local Government Area.

The statement said the governor had also resuscitated the moribund Peacock Paint Limited at Etinan Local Government Area.

The statement said that the government had begun construction of roads across the state in areas threatened by flood, in addition to upgrading of facilities at the International Airport.

It stated that the governor announced prompt payment of salaries and gratuities to retired local government staff, improvement in electricity supply and youths empowerment.

“Governor Emmanuel stated his commitment to developing agriculture through mechanised farming and reintroduction of monthly environmental sanitation to strengthen healthcare.

“The governor assured that he would stop at nothing in his quest to provide quality leadership by executing people-oriented projects as reflected in his agenda.”

Udom, also, charged the 100 youths being sent to Israel, to explore the possibility of skill acquisition and to uphold high ethical standard in the holy land.

It said that the governor advised the youths to avail themselves of the various opportunities available, adding that their conduct, would determine whether other youths would be sponsored to participate in subsequent trainings offered by the Israeli government.

“As future leaders of the state, it became imperative for the youths to be exposed to other knowledge relevant to technological advancement in the global market.”

The statement further said that the governor disclosed that the Federal Government Training programmes for youths on power generation, distribution and transmission were under way.

It said that the NCPC Executive Secretary, Mr. John-Kennedy Okpara commended the governor for laying a solid foundation for the youths by giving them the opportunity.

Opara said that knowledge transfer was imperative in the present era of modern technology, where the world had become a global family.

He urged the pilgrims to justify the huge investment on them by utilising the knowledge gained to promote the economic well-being of the state.

He also charged other pilgrims on good conduct and to pray for themselves and the country while in the holy land.

NCPC boss further assured the pilgrims that the commission’s officials as well as officials of the Nigerian embassy in Israel would facilitate and provide the needed services and assistance to them.

“The beauty of the family pilgrimage is that it accommodates families, both young and old and gives them the opportunity to pray together in the holy land and it is fully self-sponsored.” (NAN)

•Photo shows Gov. Emmanuel

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