GlobalPilot Newspaper

JOIN HANDS WITH PASTOR UMO ENO TO KEEP AKWA IBOM SAFE - IKONO CHAIRMAN TASKS ROYAL FATHERS

*Presents Certificate of Recognition to 9 Village Heads

The Transition Committee Chairman of Ikono Local Government, Hon. Kingsley Akpan, has tasked traditional rulers on joining hands with the Governor, Pastor Umo Eno to ensure Akwa Ibom State remains a safe haven for investment and development by maintaining peace and order in their various domains.

The Council boss gave the charge Monday, while presenting certificate of recognition to nine village heads from the area at the Council Hall, Ibiaku Ntok Okpo.

Akpan, who described traditional rulers as critical partners in the task of keeping the state safe and secure, urged them to always work in synergy with higher authorities to checkmate crime and other vices in their domains.

“As royal fathers, you have very important roles to play in building the community and you all must see your recognition by the State Government as a mark of honour, responsibility and call to service.

“It is expected of you to work in partnership with the government to keep your communities peaceful and free from criminality.

“If you see anything untoward or suspicious around you, always abide by the popular parlance ‘if you see something, say something’ and report same to appropriate authorities.

“Security is everyone’s business. Join hands with our dear Governor, Pastor Umo Eno to make Akwa Ibom safe because having peace in your different villages will translate to having peace in the state. Together we can build Ikono. Together we can build Akwa Ibom”, Hon. Kingsley Akpan posited.

Also speaking, the Paramount Ruler of Ikono, His Royal Majesty, Edidem Etim Nnana Itang congratulated the village heads on their being officially recognized by the State Government and warned them against seeing their elevation as an opportunity to oppress others.

“You're not given this certificate as a license to go and fight those you disagree with. See it as a means to serve your people not to oppress. Always do justice to all - both the poor and the rich”, Edidem Itang admonished.

Highpoints of the ceremony included official presentation of certificate of recognition and administration of oath of allegiance to all the nine village heads.

Those presented with certificate of recognition were: Eteidung Sunday John Ebre - Asanting Ikot Efredie, Ikono, Eteidung Okutakang Ikpeme - Ibiaku Ikot Ukana, Ikono, Eteidung Emmanuel Nya Okoibu - Nung Ukim Ikot Udom, Ikono, Eteidung John Udo Akwaowo - Okwe, Ikono Clan, Ikono, Eteidung MacPherson Okonna - Ukpom Ikot Akpakpan, Ikono, Eteidung Eyibio Ebong Udo - Atai Essien Ekpene Obom, Ikono, Eteidung Johnson Akpan - Ukpom Ikot Ekop, Ikono, Eteidung Matthew Nyong Itam -Ikot Obokidem,Nkwot, Ikono and Eteidung Ernest Udo Asanga - Aka Ekpeme Mbat Ediene, Ikono.

Among those that graced the ceremony include: the Vice Chairman of Ikono Transition Committee, Barr. John John Akpan, the Secretary Hon. Udeme Obot, members of Ikono Transition Committee, the Clan Head of Ikono Clan - HRH Etebom Okon Udo Ekpo, Clan Head of Ndiya - HRH Etebom Godswill Okon Udoisang, Clan Head of Ediene - HRH Etebom Okuku Udo Ben, Hon. Nyakno Okoibu, Elder Uduak Udiong and a host of other dignitaries.

Augustine Akpan
Media Aide to the Chairman, Ikono LGC Transition Committee
04032024

GOV ENO, UDOM, OTHERS CELEBRATE CHIEF NDUESE ESSIEN AT 80

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has felicitated the Political Leader of Akwa Ibom South (Eket) Senatorial District, Chief Nduese Essien, on his 80th birthday.

Speaking during a special thanksgiving service in honour of the elder statesman at Qua Iboe Church, Ikot Ibiok, Eket Local Government Area, Governor Eno lauded the sincerity of Chief Essien which, he said, has been exhibited in his commitment to providing responsible leadership for his people and honest advice to leadership.

The Governor described the roles played by the former Federal Legislator and Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, in successive administrations in the state as fatherly, and thanked him for supporting his governorship ambition through all the processes that led to his emergence as governor.

In his words, "we are here today to thank God for our father, a man who is very sincere. He will tell you his mind, whether you are right or wrong, he tells you how he feels. That's the part I like about our father. So I have great respect to our father, Chief Nduese Essien.

"When the announcement came, I declared my intention to run, he was there for me, he gave me all the support and so Sir, we are thanking God for you and pray that God will continue to keep you strong and available for this nation, this state and our community.

“Now that I am a Governor, please don't retire because we still need the wisdom of the elders," he said.

The immediate past governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, also praised the elder statesman while reflecting on his days as governor and described him as a dependable source of honest counsel, as well as a man worth celebrating in his lifetime.

In his thanksgiving speech, Chief Nduese Essien, in company of his wife, Ekaette, described his 80th birthday as significant being the first ever he has celebrated.

He thanked God for preserving him through the many hurdles of life, especially his miraculous survival of a heart surgery that almost took his life, and thanked the people for their show of love towards him.

Chief Nduese Essien particularly thanked Governor Umo Eno for making out time to be part of the celebration and for fulfilling his heart desire for a governor that will see his election to office as an opportunity to serve the people rather than to amass wealth and fight perceived political enemies.

He also thanked former governors Victor Attah, Godswill Akpabio and Udom Emmanuel for their indelible contributions to his political journey as representative of Eket Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, appointment as Minister of the Federal Republic and support through his period of health challenge.

In an exhortation titled "the Favour and Mercy of God," culled from Psalm 139:13-18, the General Superintendent and Chairman of Conference of Qua Iboe Church, Rev. Ekpedeme Effanga, said it was of utmost importance for men that are favoured with long life and success to take a cue from Chief Nduese Essien in acknowledging the mercy of God as the sustaining power for all their attainments.

NUC TEAM VISITS PROPOSED SOUTHERN ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY, UYO

by Mfonobong Ukpong

The National Universities Commission (NUC) team over the weekend paid a second verification visit to the proposed Southern Atlantic University along airport road in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.

The team led by Barr. Adejo Samuel, had other members including Prof. Aisha Maikudi, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor(Academics), University of Abuja, Mr. Mustapha Rasheed, Barr. Umma Ama Giwa, Mr. Daniel Sanusi, Engr. Suleiman Adedayo and Engr. Valentine Egisimba.

Receiving the NUC team was the Project Implementation Committee led by the Promoter, Pastor Bassey James, Engr. Eddy Bassey, Member, Board of Trustees, Pastor Mrs. Victoria Bassey, Prof. Innocent Modo, Prof. Etete Peters, Prof. Ini Akpabio, Prof. Mrs. Usen G. Ikpe, Mr. Essien Bassey (a retired Director with the Nigeria University Commission, NUC) and Dr. Ebere Okorie

The promoter of the University, Pastor. Bassey James lauded the NUC team for the visit. He disclosed that more hectares of land have been acquired to accommodate more expansion of facilities on campus. He explained that the proposed Southern Atlantic University is situated at a serene and secured environment strategically positioned along the airport road, assuring the NUC team of the preparedness of the institution to offer quality education one's the institution takes off.

He commended Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno for providing an enabling environment for private investment to thrive in the State.