Ghanaian President, Dr. John Dramani Mahama, who bagged a prestigious chieftaincy title of ‘UFAN AKWA IBOM’ (Friend of Akwa Ibom) from the traditional fathers in the state, has declared ”I am a son of the soil”.
The traditional fathers led by the Paramount Ruler of Ikot Abasi, Edidem Udo Joe Ntukobom XII, who conferred the title on the august visitor Sunday during a state reception for the Ghanaian President at Government House Banquet hall, Uyo during his one-day official visit to the state.
Edidem Ntukobom said that the conferment of the title on the Ghanaian President was to further strengthen the bond of friendship between Ghana, Akwa Ibom and Nigeria as a whole.
President Mahama expressed gratitude to the royal fathers for the honour bestowed on him, saying that he was impressed by the organization and warm reception accorded to him.
Dr. Mahama recalled that he arrived the country on Friday last week to hold a bilateral discussion with President Goodluck Jonathan, but requested the for and obtained the President’s permission to visit his friend in Akwa Ibom, noting that Ghanaians would continue to be brothers with Nigerians, with the friendship waxing stronger and stronger.
He observed that Ghana and Nigeria have a lot in common in terms of historical legacies and almost similar cultural background, and lauded the state for the talents in the array of cultural displays seen in the reception organized for him, pledging to invite them to any major event in Ghana.
The President declared that recently Ghana discovered hydro-carbon products while Nigeria had discovered such a long time ago, stressing ”We can see how hydro-carbon products can transform lives. If the wealth of a state or nation cannot transform the lives of people, then it does not make sense. We can see how hydro-carbon is transforming lives in Akwa Ibom State. I commend Governor Akpabio’s leadership qualities for this. That is what the leadership of the 21st century is doing in transforming the lives of the people”.
According to him, ”Ghana and Nigeria would continue to be brothers. We need to grow our economy. Aside the ECOWAS protocols, there are still some hurdles mainly roadblocks between the two countries. However, Iam happy that there are Nigerian business men in Ghana while Ghanaian business men are seen in Nigeria”.
Governor Akpabio said that Nigeria has built bridges of friendship with Ghana, saying that the President’s friendship to President Jonathan has interpreted the economy of West Africa.
Akpabio, who harped on the need for Ghana to assist Nigeria in developing its economy, democracy and infrastruture, called on him to continue to work with President Jonathan in ensuring that ECOWAS countries receive global reckoning in all shperes, thanking the Ghanaian President for the visit and the state stakeholders for coming out to honour the visitor.
Source: Event Media
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