The Managing Director of the South South Development Commission (SSDC), Ms. Usoro Offiong Akpabio, has restated her commitment to strengthening ties between Akwa Ibom and Cross River states, describing the bond between the two as “inseparable.”
Akpabio made the remarks on Thursday in Abuja at a reception hosted by the Commission’s Executive Director of Finance, Soni Abang. The event brought together political heavyweights including the Governor of Cross River State, former governors Donald Duke and Senator Liyel Imoke, as well as serving and former lawmakers and other dignitaries.
Speaking at the gathering, Akpabio described her appearance as both an official duty and a personal homecoming.
“Cross River is not only my birthplace but also the soil of my upbringing,” she said. “Though I proudly hail from Akwa Ibom, we must never forget that Akwa Ibom once blossomed under the shade of Cross River.”
She noted that the historic ties between the two states should form the basis for greater collaboration and development across the region. According to her, her presence at the event was a conscious reaffirmation of “brotherhood, solidarity, and my enduring love for the state that helped shape who I am today.”
The event also reflected the broader mandate of the SSDC, which is to promote integrated development and cooperation across the Niger Delta. Observers at the gathering said the convivial atmosphere among past and present leaders highlighted the importance of regional unity.
By invoking their common history and shared destiny, Akpabio stressed that the prosperity of both Akwa Ibom and Cross River remains interconnected, adding that the SSDC will continue to serve as a catalyst for joint growth and development.
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