- By Demola Atobaba
President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has been urged to ensure that the 10th Senate works for Nigerians and right the wrongs of the past.
Most Rev. Camillus Umoh gave the charge during a thanksgiving service held in honour of Akpabio at the Regina Pacis Auditorium, St Anne Cathedral, Ifuho, Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State during the weekend.
The cleric urged the 10th National Assembly, under the leadership of Akpabio, to demonstrate that it is different by making legislations that will be just and for the good of Nigerians.
“We pray for collaboration and unity from your colleagues in both the Senate and House of Representatives to make laws that would be just and for the good of Nigerians.
“Our prayer is that, at the end of your tenure, Nigerians would be able to say that a man from Annangland landed in Abuja and left with the imprint of Annangland and that you brought to bear the Catholic character of justice and fairness.
“That from Ikot Ekpene Diocese, came a Senator and President of the Senate. Let it be said that the kind-heartedness of this place would also influence your character.
“Unite this country with legislations that are not selective and discriminatory.
“As you continue to guide the activities of the National Assembly, make it that after your tenure, people would be saying when Akpabio was here, this wouldn’t have happened.
“Destroy things that would scatter this country. Go ahead and do things that you know how to do best; the uncommon transformation of Nigeria.
“This is the little Nazareth from where you rose. Let it be said that one good thing can come out of Nazareth,” Most Rev Umoh urged Senator Akpabio.
Speaking, the President of the Senate said the National Assembly would partner with the President Bola Tinubu-led administration to change policies inhibiting the progress and development of Nigeria
He thanked the president, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and his colleagues in the Senate for supporting him when he contested for the Office of the President of the 10th Senate.
“The current National Assembly will rally round and support the programmes of the current administration by eliminating all inhibiting policies affecting the progress and development of the country.
“We would be partners in progress for the sole benefit of Nigerians,” Senator Akpabio assured.
The former governor arrived the Victor Attah International Airport to a rousing welcome by indigenes of the state across party lines, led by the state governor, Pastor Umoh Eno.
Akpabio further assured the people of his senatorial district of quality representation as their senator and President of the Senate.
“I thank you all for coming out to celebrate God’s goodness in my life and that of my family. I thank you for the support during the campaigns and election proper.
“To those who didn’t vote for me, I will represent you well. Continue to pray for me and my colleagues as we daily navigate and steer the ship of the National Assembly for the betterment of all Nigerians.
“I am humbled by this show of love. Humility is all that matters in life. You will see the difference.
“What I want you to take back home is the fact that Nigerians have elected an uncommon Senate President. We will run an uncommon Senate for the benefit of the uncommon people.
“That is why I am here today to thank God for what he has done for me,” Senator Akpabio stated.
In his brief remarks, former governor of Ebonyi State, Senator Dave Umahi, thanked President Tinubu for his support for the ambition of Akpabio as the President of the 10th Senate.
He said: “We are all grateful to President Tinubu whom God used to spot this uncommon transformer.
“A man of courage. During those daunting times he stood his grounds. We thank him. The president, his vice and our Senate President and his family need your prayers to succeed.”
Umahi also thanked the people of Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District for producing a senator like Akpabio as the Senate President.
He added: “To those who thought they betrayed him, God is God. Our challenges lead to us giving God all the glory, as we are doing today. Akpabio is succeeding because of his spirit of forgiveness.”
The service was rounded off by the Senate President conducting the mass choir of the church while rendering the Halelujah Chorus, after reading the first Bible reading from the Book of Psalm 49 I-6.
