A heartwarming story from 2009 has resurfaced online, revealing how Senate President Godswill Akpabio, then governor of Akwa Ibom State, handed $85,000 in cash mid-flight to a young airline worker, Ubong Etim, and two of his friends to fund their aviation studies in the United States.
Etim, who shared his story in a recent video response following Akpabio’s televised interview, recounted how he boldly approached the then-governor during a flight, explaining his dream of studying aviation and escaping poverty. To his astonishment, Akpabio instructed his aides to immediately support him and two friends financially — a gesture that changed the trajectory of their lives.
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Now based in the United States, Etim has become a tech consultant with a master’s degree in healthcare informatics, over 34 professional certifications, and a young family. He credits Akpabio’s spontaneous generosity as the turning point in his journey, urging Nigerians to “pay forward kindness” rather than dismiss every good act as political calculation.
However, the viral thread — which has attracted over 1,300 likes on X (formerly Twitter) — has reignited debate about the sincerity of high-profile philanthropy among Nigerian politicians. While some users hailed Akpabio for his generosity and for changing a young man’s life, others questioned the timing of the story’s resurgence, suggesting it may be part of an image-building effort ahead of the 2027 general elections.
One commenter wrote, “It’s a beautiful story, but why are we hearing it again now? Nigerian politicians always remember their good deeds when election season is near.” Another countered, “Politics aside, Akpabio did what many leaders wouldn’t do — he believed in someone’s dream without asking for anything back.”
Beyond the political noise, Etim’s story stands as a rare intersection of courage, opportunity, and compassion — a reminder that a single act of faith from a leader can transform an ordinary encounter into a lifelong legacy.
Watch the video below:
The man that Senate President Godswill Akpabio helped in 2009 and gave $85,000 cash to study in the US has come out to appreciate the Senate President and shared his own side of the story. https://t.co/52hbrwq2bZ pic.twitter.com/j2lkXaIEJ8
— 𝐀𝐬𝐚𝐤𝐲𝐆𝐑𝐍 (@AsakyGRN) October 12, 2025