Ukorebi Esien | 3rd October 2023
A Cross River-born business mogul cum politician, Engr Ben Akak has emphasised the need for peaceful coexistence among citizens for the Nation to rise above its current challenges of insurgency, militancy and economic hardship.
Akak made these remarks during a Thanksgiving Service held at the Hope Waddle parish of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, as part of the celebrations marking the country's 63rd independence anniversary. He firmly stated that Nigeria's existence is divinely ordained, and as such, Nigerians should learn to live together in harmony.
"There's no way you can develop, there's no way you can transform without peace, Nigeria desires peace. You understand the insurgency, the militancy, the present inflationary rate of the economy. These are all the factors that come together that make the ordinary citizens remain vulnerable to so many things."
"The message is simple, we need to love one another, we need to coexist. The entity Nigeria is factored by God, so for Nigeria to exist as a nation is programmed, destined and planned by God. So with that in mind we need to continue to exist, whether we are from the South, West, East or North, it doesn't matter, the bottom line is that We must exist for us to prosper". He averred.
Representing the Governor of Cross River State, Sen. Prince Bassey Otu, Deputy Governor Rt. Hon. Peter Odey called upon Cross Riverians to contribute ideas to address the nation's unity, growth, and development challenges.
Earlier, the Prelate and General Assembly Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, His Eminence, Ekpenyong Akpanika, emphasized the importance of leaders and citizens serving humanity. He preached on the topic "Building a Legacy for the Next Generation," highlighting the significance of channelling the energy of youth into productive endeavours.
The service was attended by high-ranking government officials, including the Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Abasi Otu V, politicians and captains of industries.
Notably, Engr. Ben Akak recently received recognition from the Peace Building and Conflict Management Civil Society Organization, Partners For Peace In the Niger Delta, in Calabar, on the occasion of the 2023 World Peace Day. He was honoured with the Humanitarian Peacebuilding Award for his pro-peace humanitarian efforts in Cross River State.