Akwa Ibom Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio, has bagged the best Governor in Africa Award from an Accra, Ghana-based Africa Development, for what the magazine termed his unparalleled development strides in Akwa Ibom.

Presenting the award last night in Accra, renowned Ghanaian Professor, Walter Alhassan, described Governor Akpabio as an icon of democracy and a good example of what leadership should represent for people.

He observed that available and verifiable facts singled out Chief Akpabio as a pride of Africa, worthy of emulation.

Speaking on behalf of the organisers, Soma Brown recounted the numerous achievements of the Akpabio administration in Akwa Ibom. He particularly cited the free, compulsory and qualitative education policy; free medical care for pregnant women, children and the aged; and the massive infrastructural investment as key reasons for the award conferred on Governor Akpabio.

Brown noted that the positive development in Akwa Ibom has given hope for the growth of democracy in Africa.

Receiving the award, Governor Akpabio, who was represented by his Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr. Aniekan Umanah, thanked the magazine for considering him for the honour.

News Express reports that Akpabio is Nigeria’s most decorated governor and had previously received awards from various groups across Africa.

•Photo shows Governor Akpabio (right) receiving one of his numerous awards.