Akwa Ibom State Government has announced its decision to honour sons of the state, who died during the Nigerian civil war.
Governor Godswill Akpabio, who announced this through his Information and Communications Commissioner, Mr. Aniekan Umanah, said that the state would hold a memorial service to pray for the repose of the souls of the slain personalities, who were victims of the 30-month war.
Umanah said that the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, is the chairman of the Organizing Committee while some clergymen and other top government functionaries are members.
He said the memorial service, which would hold on Sunday April 6, at the Ibom Hall grounds in Uyo, would feature the unveiling of memorial plaques by Governor Akpabio and special intercessory prayers for peace, unity and progress of the state by senior clergies.
He recalled that the civil war was a sad chapter in Nigeria’s political history and that Akwa Ibom State, being part of the then South-Eastern region, had a fair share of the pains of the war.
Umanah said that Gov. Akpabio’s resolve to convene the memorial service was to ensure that those heroes were accorded their deserved respect and rightful place in the society they toiled for.
The commissioner said the Planning Committee had put in place, necessary logistics to ensure a memorable outing and commenced visitation to families of the slain heroes.
He urged all government functionaries, stakeholders, families of the departed heroes and indeed, the people of the state to be part of the historic service.