...Akwa Ibom South Senator gets huge commendations on first 6 months in office

...Transition Committee Chairman, Mercy Bassey gets high marks, mandated to call Mkpat Enin Meetings

By Samuel Udoma

In appreciation of Governor Umo Eno's excellent start to life as Governor of Akwa Ibom State and as a worthy son-in-law, the people of Mkpat Enin Local Government Area have resolved to continually throw their full weight behind Pastor Eno beyond 2027, and be at the forefront of the Governor's re-election campaign.

This, among other resolutions, was contained in a Communique issued at the end of an extraordinary meeting/new year get-together of Mkpat Enin Elders Forum, held at the Nelson Mandela Hall, Watbridge Hotels, Uyo, on Sunday, January 14, 2024.

It was a rare converge of foremost political stakeholders, bigwigs, movers and shakers of Mkpat Enin extraction, across all walks of life.
Groups and settings were well represented.

Prof. Etete Peters, a former Chief Medical Director, University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, chaired the meeting, on behalf of the Forum's Chairman, Dr. Sydney Udofot - a renowned medical practitioner and elder statesman.

Senator Ekong Sampson took time to narrate to the Stakeholders, his contributions in the Senate so far and his plans for Mkpat Enin and Akwa Ibom South. Apart from pushing for projects, he stated that he was already getting letters of appointment for some indigenes of Mkpat Enin and the senatorial district at the Federal level. Senator Ekong Sampson said that he will be meeting with stakeholders and groups in Akwa Ibom South, after the meeting, in continuation of his interactions with various strata in the Senatorial District.

Recall that during the Christmas and New Year, Senator Sampson distributed rice and cash to all the twelve Local Government Areas in Akwa Ibom South. He also gave out vehicles to some of his constituents. Over 600 indigenes of Akwa Ibom South will benefit from the 1st Phase of his empowerment programme. Education and Business Grants are parts of the components of the programme.
His wife, Matina, also gave out support to some women in the Senatorial District.

During the interactions with Mkpat Enin Elders Forum, the Transition Committee Chairman, Lady Mercy Bassey also briefed the Forum on her strides so far in office, as she hits the ground running. Both, in their remarks, called for continued support for Gov. Umo Eno from Mkpat Enin people.

The Forum in its Communique, after deliberations and speeches, congratulated Gov. Umo Eno, 'a beloved and dependable in-law in Mkpat Enin' on his recent victory at the Supreme Court and pledged its unflinching support to his administration. The Stakeholders also expressed satisfaction with the steps so far taken by Governor Eno, in the implementation of the Arise Agenda, especially as it touches on the Rural Development components.

The Forum expressed deep appreciation to the Governor for proposing a Songhai Model Palm Oil Estate/Mill in Ibekwe, Mkpat Enin LGA, as well as the appointment of sons and daughters of Mkpat Enin into various positions in his government. In the light of these accomplishments, the Forum unanimously passed a vote of confidence on the Governor and pledged that Mkpat Enin will be at the forefront of his re-election in 2027.

In same vein, Mkpat Enin Elders Forum equally lauded the contributions and status of Distinguished Senator Ekong Sampson, Senator, representing Akwa Ibom South, as the highest political office holder in Mkpat Enin LGA. The Forum congratulated His Excellency, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio on his emergence as President of the 10th Senate and commended him and the Senate leadership for appointing their illustrious son, Senator Ekong Sampson as Chairman, Senate Committee on Solid Minerals.

The Transition Committee Chairman of Mkpat Enin, Hon.(Lady) Mercy Bassey was also felicitated on her meritorious appointment and was mandated to be holding regular meetings with stakeholders, represent the Local Government Area, promote inclusivity, cohesion and even development.

The meeting also hailed the recent promotion of Rear Admiral Etop Ebe - an illustrious son of Mkpat Enin to the rank of a 2-star general in the Navy, while calling on other sons and daughters of the area to be motivated to reach such top heights in their respective endeavours. Ebe is the son of a former Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Lady Valerie Ebe.

The Forum took time to consider a number of key challenges affecting the Local Government Area especially the deplorable road network, insecurity, and inadequate health facilities, urging the Governor to address some of the infrastructural deficits.

Notable among these roads are Ibekwe-Ikot Unya-Ikot Akata road, Ibekwe-Ikot Akpaden road, and others. The meeting called for the rehabilitation and use of Police facilities in Ikot Umiang, Ikot Abia and Ikot Ekpaw, to boost security in the Local Government Area.

The Forum also stressed the need for a General Hospital in Mkpat Enin to handle pressure coming from the large size and population of the Local Government Area.

Part of the highpoints of the meeting was the appointment of Rev. Obot Ekanem as Secretary of Mkpat Enin Elders Forum, as well as the adoption of Joe Udobia Hall in Mkpat Enin Local Government Secretariat as the Head Office of the Forum.

Roll call at the well attended meeting included the Senator representing Akwa Ibom South in the Nigerian Senate and host, Senator Ekong Sampson, the Transition Committee Chairman, Lady Mercy Bassey, the State PDP officer and former Local Government Chairman, Hon. Mfon Nkanteen; PDP Chapter Chairman, Hon. Anietie Sunday and his Deputy, Mr. Emmanuel Jacob, appointees of government, Dr. Markfre Ekefre, Board Member 1, State Secondary Education Board; Sir Ubong Etefre, Former Transition Chairman and Commissioner in EARCOM and Mr. Iniobong Akpan, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth Matters.

Also in attendance, were former House of Assembly members, Rt. Hon. (Engr) Otobong Ndem and Hon. (Barr) Victor Ekwere; former Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Hon. Martyns Udo-Inyang; Rev. Obot Moffat Ekanem, Coordinator, Mkpat Enin Ward Leaders Forum and Leader, Ikpa Ikono III; Hon. Aniedi Ekanem, Secretary, Ward Leaders Forum and Leader, Ukpum Minya Ward 4, many other Ward Leaders, Hon. Nkereuwem Akai, immediate past PDP Chairman, Mkpat Enin, Hon. Anietie Okodi, former Vice Chairman of Mkpat Enin.

Wife of the pioneer Executive Chairman of Mkpat Enin, Dr. (Mrs.) Roseline Richard Umoren; Wife of former Executive Chairman, Dcns. Grace Joe Udobia were also in attendance. From the clergy were Apst (Dr.) John Okoriko, Founder of the Solid Rock Kingdom Church and his wife, Mrs. Eka John Okoriko; Bishop Joseph EkpoAbasi, former Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, Mkpat Enin and Prof. Monsignor Sylvanus Udoidem, renowned cleric and academic.

Other leading indigenes of Mkpat Enin LGA from the academia included, Prof. Etefia Ekanem, Dean Student Affairs, University of Uyo, who moved the motion to adopt the communique of proceedings at the meeting; Prof. Uduak Okon, Dean, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Uyo; Prof. Ini Akpabio; Prof. Aniefiok Otu; Associate Prof. Aniefiok Ukommi; Dr. Mrs Edo Ekanem, Deputy Provost, College of Education, Afaha Nsit; Dr. Patrick Essiet, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health; Dr. Uduak Udoh, Secretary, AKISIEC.

Others in attendance included the immediate past Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association, Uyo Branch, Barr. Ememobong Nicholas; Chief Magistrate F. J. Ekpa and Senior Magistrate M. A. Ebong; Council Secretary, Pst. Friday Afia Amos; former Leaders of Council - Rt. Hon. Barr. Franklin Ikpong; Hon. Christian Jumbo; Hon. Ebong Akpan and other Past Principal officers of the Legislative Council.

The PDP Chapter Woman Leader in Mkpat Enin, Lady Mercy Jacob and the President, National Council for Women Societies (NCWS), Mrs. Dorathy Eyaema Ekanem all attended. The Chairman, National Youth Council of Nigeria, Mkpat Enin Chapter, Hon. Emem Alex accompanied by all former Chairmen, National Youth Council of Nigeria, Mkpat Enin Chapter – Comr. Unaowo Amos, Ezekiel Inam and Comr. Ubong Ememe.

Mr. Etido Udowo, Dean, College of Personal Assistants to the Governor, Mkpat Enin Chapter, and Barr. Daniel Hilary, Dean, College of Supervisors, Mkpat Enin Local Government Transition Committee, amongst others, also attended. HRH, Ime Ekong, Clan Head of Ibiaku represented the Traditional Institution.