Governor Godswill Akpabio has sought economic cooperation between Equitorial Guinea and Akwa Ibom State on the need to explore the recently commissioned e-library facilities in the state.

Chief Akpabio, who made the call today when Nigerian Ambassador to Equitorial Guinea, Ambassador Sunday Benjamin Bassey paid him a courtesy visit at Governor's Lodge, Uyo, said there was need to ask the country to allow her students partake in exchange programmes and learning of foreign languages at the centre.

''The e-library needs economic cooperation. We can export knowledge because it is knowledge-based centre. We can have exchange programmes. There are facilities in the centre for people to learn foreign languages. I want you to explore cooperation with Equitorial Guinea in this area'', the Governor stated.

He acknowledged that Equitorial Guinea and Akwa Ibom share crude oil in common and called on the Ambassador to explore the areas of cooperation to benefit both parties, saying ''There is a lot money in that country due to availability of oil deposits''.

Akpabio used the occasion to congratulate Mr. Bassey being an indigene of Akwa Ibom on his merited appointment as an Ambassador, noting that President Goodluck Jonathan has made the state proud by appointing him to such an exalted position.

He recalled that Mr. Basey was a good Ambassador to the state when he served as Chief Protocol Officer in the State House, Abuja and enjoined him    to protect the image of the country and Akwa Ibom in his primary area of assignment.

Ambassador Bassey commended the Governor for meeting the expectations of Akwa Ibom people and giving the people a proper identity, saying ''I am overwhelmed by what I am seeing in the state. The infrastructure are amazing. Your free, compulsory education is helpful. You may not see the benefits of the education now, but in the next 10 years the benefits would rub off on all areas of human endeavor''.

Bassey accompanied by his wife, Magdalene, hinted that he benefited from free education of the defunct Western Nigeria when he studied in Lagos, remarking that the products of the free education policy of the state government would be better schooled to protect and preserve the infrastructure provided by the present administration in the future.

The Ambassador who is an indigene of Etinan Local Government Area urged the Governor to bring to his attention the areas he could assist to bring about the desired development of the state.

Photo Caption
Governor Akpabio