Akwa Ibom anniversary features scholarships worth N190m

Akwa Ibom State marked its 39th anniversary with a celebration attended by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Governor Umo Eno and other government, community and cultural figures. The event, held at Arise Palm Resort, combined cultural performances, entertainment, food, recognition and philanthropy. Guests watched masquerade dances and other presentations while reflecting on the state’s development since its creation.

Akpabio, who attended as a special guest, congratulated the government and people of Akwa Ibom. In a message titled “Akwa Ibom at 39: Celebrating Our Journey, Building Our Future,” he described the state’s creation under former military Head of State Ibrahim Babangida as a fulfilment of the aspirations of its founding fathers. He also commended Eno’s administration and identified the Arise Palm Resort, where the banquet took place, as one of its notable achievements.

The celebrations included awards, a food presentation and the unveiling of a book by the governor. A major feature of the evening was the announcement of scholarships for two students. Uwakmfon Unwana Jacob received N30m to study software engineering at Nile University, Abuja.

Joseph Akpan, identified as the best graduating student in medicine and surgery at the University of Uyo, received N160m for a master’s degree in Surgical and Intervention Science at McGill University, Canada. The combined value of the two awards was N190m. The celebration also attracted traditional and community leaders, academics, business figures, actress Ini Edo and chef Hilda Baci.

It ended with continued music, cultural performances and social interaction as guests marked the anniversary and looked towards the state’s future.