Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, has formally received the 2022 African Regional Magazine Award of "Subnational Governor with Best Economic Blueprint in Africa", even as Akwa Ibom has emerged "Most Progressive Subnation in Africa".

The Awards which were presented at the 2022 African Regional Journal Forum and Trade Fair, in Angola through the Special Assistant to the Governor on Research and Documentation, Mr. Essien Ndueso, were re-presented to the Governor today at the Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Uyo.

Receiving the awards, Governor Emmanuel thanked the continental media organization for noticing the efforts of the state government and for honouring the state, and dedicated the award to officials and people of the state who have helped in various ways to drive the government to success.

Also receiving a publication on his achievements by the Association of Eket Senatorial District Media Practitioners, "The Scorecard", the Governor expressed gratitude to the association for the ingenuity painstakingly showcasing government imprints in the state, describing the gesture as pro development and an encouragement to his administration.

Presenting the awards, Mr. Essien Ndueso communicated the sentiments of Nigeria's Ambassador to Angola, Professor Monique Ekpong, while presenting the awards originally at the Angola event.

According to him, Prof. Ekpong had expressed great pleasure to identify with the accomplishments of Governor Udom Emmanuel which, she said, have made the State one of Africa's best destinations. 

The Envoy was also said to have attested to being a firsthand witness to the achievements of the Udom Emmanuel Led government in Akwa Ibom State, hence urging other subnational leaders in Africa to emulate the gesture.

On the Eket Senatorial District Media Practitioners' publication, Mr. Ndueso, Board of Trustees Chairman of the Association, told the governor that his kinsmen in the media profession were proud of his achievements, hence their determination to document his legacies for posterity.

He said the association was made up of journalists, public relations professionals, social media influencers and bloggers who are United by the zeal to profess development journalism. 

Fielding questions with Government House correspondents, the Chairman of the Association, Elder Edet Okpo, said for a noiseless achiever like Governor Emmanuel, it was apt for well-meaning professionals to identify with and project the gains of his government. This, he stated, the Association was determined to undertake.

Another Trustee, Mrs. Florence Umoetuk, a former Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, explained that the Association was independent and not government funded and so was not bound to be pro government, but that was convinced by the obvious, people oriented development strides of the Udom Emmanuel led government.