President Mahama becomes a son of the soil in Akwa Ibom

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.