Governor Udom urges privileged Akwa Ibom indigenes to be involved in developing their communities

Akwa Ibom State governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel has charged well-to-do indigenes of the state and even those opportune to occupy high offices within or outside the state to always show interest in the development of their communities.

He gave the charge during the End of Year Get-together and Award of Chieftaincy Titles to deserving sons of Ibiono Ibom local government council.

The ceremony took place at the palace of the Paramount Ruler of Ibiono Ibom, His Royal Majesty, Okuku (Dr.) Ime Udousoro Inyang, yesterday.

Represented by the state Commissioner for Works and Fire Service, Prof. Eno Ibanga, Udom said it is God that lifts people to higher heights with the sole aim of them leaving footprints in their communities.

The four persons conferred with various chieftaincy titles are, Prof. Essien Antia-Obong, Obong Emmanuel Udofia Ekpa, Obong (Prof.) Halo Eton and Mr Churchill Tom Udoh.

The governor’s representative commended the Paramount Ruler, Okuku (Dr.) Ime Udousoro Inyang for always setting out a time annually to recognise Ibiono Ibom indigenes who have contributed to the development of their areas, adding that, it was good for communities to also show appreciation to men and women who have made; impact.

“I bring to you the warm regards of His Excellency Governor Udom Emmanuel who has asked me to represent him in this event as he attends to other matters that requires his attention. I also bring the message of peace and unity to Ibiono because it is only God that enthrones people to leadership positions so we need to maintain peace while God does his work.

“I congratulate the people that have been conferred with Chieftaincy Titles as appreciation for their outstanding contribution in human capacity development and other community services in their various communities. This is a two-way activity, you make your community feel your impact and they give you recognition in return”.

He charged recipients to see the honour as a call for more impactful services to their place of nativity.

Earlier, the paramount ruler HRM Okuku (Dr.) Ime Udousoro Inyang, said for many years now, the traditional rulers of the council of the area have not honoured anyone with a chieftaincy title due to the covid-19 pandemic.

According to the Royal Father, he needed to ensure that the honour was not made to be an all-comers affair, adding that the personal profiles and records of community services of the chosen awardees must show that they deserved the honour bestowed on them.

“I give honour to whom honour is due is a truism that cannot be ignored and as such, the advisory council declared that a few numbers of our sons be honoured this year. Their respective citations would show and convince you that they are fit and proper persons to be honoured. Their achievements, prominence, and their nearness to Ibiono Ibom community is the reason for today’s gathering”.

Speaking on behalf of the awardees, the Chief Executive Officer of Westgate Group of Companies, Mr Churchill Udo, expressed his appreciation to the state government for the peace enjoyed in Akwa Ibom State.

Mr Churchill further thanked the paramount ruler for conferring on him the traditional title of ‘Isantim’ Ibiono, saying that, the gesture will spur him to do more for the people of the area knowing that people are watching him and appreciative of his efforts.

“To show that I am very happy by this gesture today, I will be adding 10 Ibiono Ibom indigenes annually to my tertiary education scholarship list. So every year ten students who are studying in public tertiary institutions will be awarded scholarships by WestGate Group of Companies”.