Buhari Felicitates Obong Attah at 80

Buhari Felicitates Obong Attah at 80

President Mohammadu Buhari has commended the former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Obong Victor Attah, for his strategic thinking in the shaping of infrastructural development of the State and making it one of the most hospitable and attractive States for tourism in the country.

In a goodwill message to Obong Attah on his 80th birthday on Tuesday, President Buhari noted that the former governor’s contributions to architectural development in the country has been most remarkable and historical, especially when he served as President of the Nigerian Institute of Architects.

Represented at Obong Attah’s commemorative book launch in Abuja by the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, President Buhari said: “I join your family, members, friends, professional colleagues and political associates in celebrating your many years of service to God, and to humanity, and the obvious impact of your leadership style as a foremost architect and former Governor of Akwa Ibom State.”

He added: “As an architect with versatile and global working experience, I commend the strategic thinking and planning of both yourself and your cabinet in shaping the infrastructural development of Akwa Ibom State, which still remains one of the most hospitable and attractive states for tourism in the country”

The President prayed God to give Obong Attah longer life, good health and more wisdom as he continues to serve the country and humanity.

Senator Udoma in his own message said as the Senator representing the Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District when Obong Attah was the governor of the State, he was well placed to say something about the former governor’s character.

“Obong Attah is somebody you can go to battle with. He is fearless and, once he gives you his word, he does not turn back, no matter how fierce the battle. And the battle to remove the onshore/offshore (oil) dichotomy was indeed a fierce one.

“At one point, the three of us, myself, Obong Attah and Senator Ibok Essien were summoned to Abuja and made to appear before the President, the Minister of Defence, and all the service chiefs and threatened with prosecution for inciting our people against the President and the Federal Government. But we refused to allow ourselves to be cowed, or intimidated. We believed in our cause and did not stop the fight until we succeeded,” the Minister revealed.

Describing Obong Attah as a great Nigerian, Senator Udoma said “I would like to join his many friends and admirers to celebrate a man of strong character, a dogged and determined fighter for the rights of his people, a man of vision, a man of action and yet with an artistic and contemplative temperament.”

He said Obong Attah is not just a politician and political leader, but also a professional, an accomplished architect, highly regarded by his colleagues who elected him to the position of President of the Institute of Architects.

While wishing the former governor God’s continued blessings, the Minister reflected on the title of Obong Attah’s book “It is well with my soul”, and said “I personally find that, whatever I am going through, whatever my lot, there can be no more calming words than repeating to myself the words of the first stanza of the hymn “It is well with my soul”.