June 25, (THEWILL) – President of the Nigerian Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has pledged that the National Assembly, under his watch, would partner with the President Bola Tinubu-led administration to change policies inhibiting the progress and development of Nigeria.
Akpabio made the pledge while speaking at the Thanksgiving Service in his honour at the Regina Pacis Auditorium, St Anne Cathedral Ifuho, Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State.
He thanked the President, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and his colleagues in the Senate for standing by and supporting him when he contested for the office of the President of the 10th Senate.
According to him, “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.”
Speaking further, the former Governor of Akwa Ibom, who arrived at the Victor Attah International Airport to a rousing welcome by indigenes of the state across party lines and led by the State Governor, Pastor Umoh Eno, assured the people of his 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 your 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,” he stated.
In his homily, Most Rev Camillus Umoh charged the 10th Senate to work for Nigerians and right the wrongs of the past to show that they are different through legislation.
According to him, “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 Annang land landed in Abuja and left with the imprint of Annang land 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 kindheartedness of this place would also influence your character. Unite this country with legislation that is not selective and discriminatory.
“As you continue to guide the activities of the NASS, make it so 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.”
In his brief remarks, former Governor of Ebonyi State, Senator Dave Umahi, thanked President Tinubu for his support of 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 ground. We thank him. The President, his Vice and our Senate President and his family need your prayers to succeed. ”
He also thanked the people of Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District for producing a Senator like Akpabio for Nigerians as its Senate President, saying, “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 Hallelujah Chorus to the admiration of all present, after reading the first Bible reading from the Book of Psalm 49:I-6.
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