Non-indigenes residing in Akwa Ibom State have been reassured of her hospitality as the people of the state do not discriminate against strangers but welcome and co-exist peacefully with all peace-loving and law abiding people.

The state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Dr. Glory Edet, gave the reassurance while meeting with women of other states residing in Akwa Ibom, under the umbrella of “Arewa, Igbo, Niger Delta States and Oduduwa” (AINO), in her office in Uyo.

The commissioner who described Akwa Ibom people as “very peaceful, loving and tolerant of others” stated that the state, blessed with excellent leadership through Governor Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, who in less than 100 days in office had recorded tremendous successes “can only produce good and accommodating citizens.”

Dr. Edet, while acknowledging the group’s vibrancy, commended their viability, saying that it was capable of touching the lives of its members, and urged them to “continue to wax stronger.”

She advised the group to continue with the patriotic zeal, same spirit and to support the state government, which, she stated, had laudable programmes for the people “to ensure that the state takes her rightful place in the comity of nations in both national and global economy.”

The women affairs and social welfare commissioner, who stressed the importance of love and unity among the women, charged them to live peacefully and to be law abiding, not only among themselves and families, but in the midst of their hosts, as they go about their legitimate businesses in the state.

In her speech, the president of AINO, and leader of the delegation, Mrs. Ekaette Collins Onuaha, who assured the commissioner of her group’s “total support for the new administration” of Gov. Udom Emmanuel, commended the peaceful disposition and unqualified hospitality of the people of Akwa Ibom people.

She said that they have benefited immensely from the free and compulsory education programme of the Akwa Ibom government, among other live-touching policies, and she extolled “the humble life style” of the commissioner, saying that they were challenged, as her humility was “worthy of emulations” by her women.

•Photo shows