TheCable

The Akwa Ibom state government has reacted to the recent UK travel ban on its citizens to 21 states.

Akwa Ibom is among the states that the UK warned its citizens not to visit.

But in a letter addressed to the British high commissioner in Nigeria, Emmanuel Ekuwem, secretary to the state government (SSG), said Akwa Ibom remains one of the most peaceful state in the country.

Making reference to statement by Jamil Sarham, general officer commanding (GOC), 6 division of the Nigerian army, during a courtesy call on Udom Emmanuel, the governor, in October, the SSG said the GOC had commended the peaceful nature of the state and rated it as the most peaceful and violence-free of all the areas under his command.

“A similar sentiment was also expressed by Rear Admiral Apochi Suleiman, the Commander of the Joint Task Force in the Niger-Delta region. The US Ambassador, W. Stuart Symington had visited Akwa Ibom State on two occasions within the last one and a half years. No Ambassador would visit a State that is considered unsafe,” the letter read.

“During the recently concluded Presidential/National Assembly, Gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections, in spite of the threat and boasts of the people on the opposite side of the political divide to unleash violence, the elections were adjudged peaceful, credible and free, a fact attested to by both Local and Foreign Observers. The Commissioner of Police in charge of the elections in Akwa Ibom State, Ibrahim Kaoje in his report of the elections to the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) in charge of the Department of Operations stated that the elections in the State were conducted under the freest, credible and most peaceful atmosphere.

“The Emir of Kano, His Highness, Muhammadu Sanusi 11 during a courtesy visit to the State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, also commended the peace and security citizens enjoy in the State, which has led the State to attract the second highest in-flow of Foreign Direct Investments coming only behind Lagos State. We have also been receiving droves of investors from all parts of the world into the State for the purposes of investing in our peaceful, safe and secure environment. This would not have been possible if the State is not safe, peaceful and secure.”