Former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has declared that his appointment as a minister will give him an ample opportunity to serve the nation on a larger scale.
Expressing his wish to serve at any ministry he would be given, he said he would join President Muhammadu Buhari in the area of making life better for the people of the country by taking them to the Next Level.
Akpabio spoke about his ministerial appointment with journalists shortly after he was asked to take a bow by the Senate which was screening the nominees for the different ministerial positions.
He was given the rare privilege along with others having served as members of the National Assembly in the past.
Others that enjoyed the same privilege were Senator George Akume and Emeka Nwajuiba who was a member of the House of Representatives.
Said Akpabio: “I will represent Nigerians very well now at a larger scale as a minister. I will not change. Whenever I find myself, I will leave the people better than I meet them.”
Pointing out the area the country was going to benefit from his new appointment, Akpabio said he would join the president in the area of minimising banditry, increasing the nation’s foreign direct investments and putting Nigeria on the threshold of industrialisation.
He said further: “It is worrisome that many manufacturing companies have left the country. In Kano alone, more than 15 textile companies have left due to issue of decay in infrastructure.
“We will close the doors of people exiting Nigeria and open doors to make people come in especially the investors.
“I will work with the government on statistics so as to plan because a nation that fails to plan always plans to fail.
“We must know the number of people coming out of our universities and the numbers of children that are being born in our hospitals, to enable us make proper plans.
“As a minister, I’m ready to work and do my best in any ministry it pleases Mr President to assign me.
“I will represent Nigerians very well now at a larger scale as a minister. I will not change. Whenever I find myself, I will leave the people better than I meet them.’’
Akpabio spoke on the issue of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, describing it as an interventionist agency.
“Peace is extremely important there for the benefit of the residents, companies doing businesses there and government at all levels.
“I won’t engage myself in politically motivated projects that have no bearing on the lives of the people.’’
