Akwa Ibom Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio, has lauded President Goodluck Jonathan for appointing sons and daughters of the state into key positions at the national level.

He was speaking after yesterday’s Executive Council meeting at the EXCO Chambers of the Governor’s Office, Uyo. He specifically referred to the appointment of Barr. Bassey Dan-Abia as Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

“I must specially thank Mr. President for standing by the nominee of the NDDC as a managing director from our state; and I must congratulate Mr. Dan-Abia for the elevation which is uncommon from an uncommon state,” Akpabio said.

The governor equally commended the President for the appointment of Hon. Justice John Inyang Okoro, who was last week sworn in as a Justice of the Supreme Court, praying God to give him the wisdom to carry out his duties effectively in the judiciary.

Speaking earlier, the state Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Bassey Albert Akpan, had explained that the EXCO meeting helps to translate the dreams of Governor Akpabio for a better Akwa Ibom.

Akpan stressed that Governor Akpabio has declared his commitment to the President, country and the state, pointing out that he is pleased that Akwa Ibom people are now seated at national positions, saying that with the support of the Governor and the entire state, the President justified and approved the nominee for the NDDC position.

While thanking President Jonathan for giving the state a sense of belonging, he assured that Akwa Ibom State EXCO would continue to support him and Governor Akpabio’s administration. He prayed that the NDDC position would bring peace, unity and sustained development to the Niger Delta region in a special way.

Responding, Mr. Dan-Abia thanked President Jonathan and Governor Akpabio for his elevation, saying that with the challenges he passed through to get the appointment, he would not disappoint the state.

He acknowledged that Governor Akpabio has made the state proud by restoring the position of every Akwa Ibom person in the country, and pointed out that Akwa Ibom people now walk tall and are proud to be Akwa Ibomite, advising the new NDDC helmsman to take the same spirit in his office and to represent the state well.

Until his appointment, Dan-Abia was a Commissioner for Housing and Urban Renewal in Akwa Ibom. Before now, he had represented Akwa Ibom as a Commissioner in the NDDC.

•Photo shows President Jonathan.