Governor Godswill Akpabio has called on governments at various levels in the country to give equal opportunities to Nigerian children to excel irrespective of their places of birth.
Governor Akpabio, who made the call on Sunday during an inter-denominational service marking this year’s children and Democracy Day Celebrations held at Ibom Hall Grounds, Uyo, said this was the only way to give the children hope about the future.
”So we must all collectively give hope to our children irrespective of their places of birth. Nigerian children may not be born on the same day, but governments should give them equal opportunities to excel. That’s what we have done in Akwa Ibom State through free, compulsory education…”, the Governor stated.
He recalled that last year, his administration rescued about 650 children who branded as ”child witches and wizards”, accommodated, fed and gave them free education to realize their potentials of becoming future leaders in the country.
”In 2011, our administration had to rehabilitate children who were termed ”witches” and who never had hope for the future. The testimony of those children today gives us cause for a thanksgiving, which we are gathered today for. So the man of God today has encouraged me to continue to be like the Biblical Nehemiah who was not interested in what people said about him, but continued to do the work of God…”, Akpabio remarked.
The Governor, who took the only Bible reading from 1 Samuel 10:1-9, however, prayed God to arrest evil doers causing security crisis in the country, saying ”So on this Pentecost Day, the prayer of Akwa Ibom people is that God should send peace to the hearts of Nigerians. I am saying that even the hearts of Boko Haram memebers would change through our prayers.
”This is the day of Pentecost and the Spirit of God would arrest evil doers and they would change forever. The Spirit of God would be on all the miscreants that are causing us pain and they will change. That’s why our women must not lose hope because Nigerians would soon smile”, he maintained.
Akpabio used the occasion to appeal to Nigerians to give President Goodluck Jonathan a chance to solve most problems in the country he inherited, which according to him, were accumulated in the past 50 years.
The Governor, who lauded the strong partnership between the government and the Church, hinted that in the next three years, his administration would embark on more human empowerment.
In his homily, Bishop (Dr.) Randolf Gurley from Maryland in United States of America linked democracy with liberty, which according to him, involved freedom of human soul and spirit, saying democracy has come at a high price.
Bishop Gurley, who drew his lessons from the experiences of the Biblical Nehemiah and King David, described Governor Akpabio as a good man, encouraging him to continue with his good works and never to be discouraged.