THE former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel, has disclosed his greatest regret from his time as the state’s number one citizen.
Udom revealed the information yesterday during a Special Thanksgiving/Welcome Service hosted by the Lagos Township Superintendency of the United Evangelical Church.
The special thanksgiving/welcome service was organised to honor former governor Udom Emmanuel and his wife, Martha Emmanuel.
This was revealed in a statement provided today by the Government House, Uyo Press Unit.
The former governor said in the statement that, despite all of his achievements, his sole regret as governor was not having control over policy.
“The only regret I have is that I did not control policies. If I had control over policies as a state, trust me, we would have been miles ahead as a state. But today, I still thank God that we went with our blueprint and God helped us”, the ex-governor said.
Further, he recalled his narrow escape from the 2016 Reigners Bible Church building collapse, stating only God can explain his escape.
The Reigners Bible Church structure collapsed on December 10th, 2016, killing dozens of attendees and injuring others while the Presiding Pastor, Akan Weeks, was being ordained.
Udom recalled the awful episode in which the church beam fell and ruined the white seat where he sat. However, he escaped alive, and his escape remains a mystery to this day.
“My narrow escape in the December 10, 2016 building collapse remains a mystery only God can explain. The place where I was sitting the central beam from the ceiling shattered the white seat where I was sitting, I don’t know but I came out alive without even a scratch.
“Most importantly, we want to thank God that we went into the Government House complete, we left complete, not one of us is missing. Throughout my ten years, because I was SSG before I became governor, one of the things I cherished is that throughout that period, God did not stop speaking to me”, he said.
He noted further that there are spiritual forces working against a governor, he however, reaffirmed his confidence in the supreme authority of God, who saw him through his administration.
He also appreciated God for the success of the governorship election in the state, saying, “It came to the period of succession plan when the direction of God came, It was tough but all of you stood by us and today I feel fulfilled about God’s plan in the person of Pastor Uno Eno and that has turned out very well.”
“On Friday, when we were at Mirabel in Canada to receive the first of the ten new Airbus Series of Ibom Air with the MD, Captain Mfon Udom, we almost shed tears because even the Airbus people turned around and said, in their generation of Air Bus management, that was the first time Nigeria’s Flag was flying in the Airbus Factory and that was not done by the Federal Government but a subnational.”
The former Governor also revealed the secret of the State-owned airline’s distinctive logo, saying, “Others paid billions for the logo, but Captain Mfon Udom’s daughter designed the Ibom Air Logo free of charge for us.”
He described the run-up to the 2019 elections, during which threats of violence and blackmail abounded, and maintained that God saw him through the process unharmed.
“In 2018, I heard all kinds of sayings in the build-up to my second term election. Some people said that people would be on the bed while the election was going on. Some said by the time we get to the election, it will be only me and my wife left in Government House. I told them there is a God of the multitude, it’s impossible. They called all kinds of mights but the Almighty answered.”
“I want to thank every stakeholder, I had tremendous support. No matter the noise at the end of the day, every single person voted for who they wanted. I want to use this period to say thank you.
Governor Umo Eno, in his remarks, lauded Udom Emmanuel and his wife, Dr Martha Emmanuel, describing them as a gift from God to the Akwa Ibom people.
He went on to say that whether people express it openly or not, the indelible marks left by the former Governor are greatly appreciated.
“You are gifts that God sent to Akwa Ibom and we thank God for that. Whether people say so or not, we appreciate you. Akwa Ibomites appreciate your work and that of your wife.
“Every week, we have people coming to Akwa Ibom for conferences. Akwa Ibom is now a destination of choice because of the work that you and your wife did.
“I did not create all those new big roads, it was you that modelled and designed all of these things; Ibom Air and all of the beautiful things we have were your creation.
“I’d like to tell you that we are grateful. On behalf of the Akwa Ibom people, I stand to convey these warm wishes, greetings and celebration of Akwa Ibomites to you and your dear wife.
