Newsfront Online …Telling the Public as it is
… As AKHA Receives Executive Bill
The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly today received an Executive Bill from Governor Udom Emmanuel for enactment into law on the need for Akwa Ibom State to have her official symbols.
The official Akwa Ibom State symbols are listed as Unity Anthem, Flag, Coat of Arms, Creed and Slogan. The Bill is entitled “A bill for a law to Establish and Regulate Akwa Ibom State Symbols and for other matters connected therewith”.
According to the bill, the Unity Anthem which has a special import for the people of the state shall be sung at state functions and other special occasions, while the state flag shall be one of the symbols of government and people of the state to be exhibited or flown in all public places in the state.
According to the bill, the Coat of Arms shall consist of colours and designs representing the distinctive ideals and aspirations of the people of Akwa Ibom and will be displayed in all public places in the state wherever appropriate alongside the National Coat of Arms of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Similarly, the State Creed which shall consist of the wordings and phrases as shall be published in the State official Gazette shall be a solidarity pledge that will have significance and commitment for the people and will be recited at all public functions in the state. The State Slogan according to the bill shall be “Land of Promise”, while the Creed shall be the Dakkada Creed.
In their deliberations, members described the Executive bill as accurate, timely and a good move by a visionary leader like Governor Udom Emmanuel especially as the State is marking its 33rd creation on September 23, 2020.
They further maintained that the bill seeks to institute a legal framework, regulate, unite, foster peace among the people as well as provide a common identity for Akwa Ibom people. The bill which was given accelerated legislative process, passed through first and second reading today and the Speaker Rt Hon Aniekan Bassey in his ruling referred it to the House Committee on Information which is to report back to the House in two days. Meanwhile, the House has adjourned plenary to reconvene on Tuesday, September 22, 2020.
