Shoe size visits Itoro Columba

The on-going thank you tour to local government areas of the state organized by Ibom Mandate Crusaders, IMC, (Shoe Size15-23) has continued to receive major boost occasioned by a flurry of commendations from the well-meaning citizens of the state. 

The latest being from an ace broadcaster and Ikono Local Government Transition Chairman, Mr. Itoro Columba and his Ntippe Ibibio Paramount Ruler, HRM. Edidem Nyong Obop during the group’s recent visit to the area. 

Speaking during an interactive session with the leadership of the organization led by Hon. Aniekan Morgan Ekwere (Million Dollar), Mr. Columba commended the Shoe Size 15-23 team for taken a bold step in going round the state to thank the people for supporting the governors hitherto successful election as well as his administration for the umpteen time, despite the biting economic recession rocking the state and the nation at large. 

The renowned broadcaster (CEO The Bridge TV on AKBC) turned politician acknowledged and appreciated the strides so far taken by the group, noting that such gesture has gone a long way to proving the groups commitment, sincerity of purpose and goodwill for governor Udom Emmanuel -led administration, the state and indeed its teeming members across board. 

Describing the groups on-going THANK YOU TOUR to various local governments of the state as unprecedented and highly commendable, the Ikono council gaffer urged them to continue marketing the governor and his administrations achievements to the people especially those at the grassroots, saying that doing so could help correct the misrepresentation of government policies and programmes orchestrated by the oppositional forces and/or out of crass ignorance as well as help in rekindling their hopes for a greater and prosperous Akwa Ibom. Mr. Columba acknowledged the tact and creativity contained in the coinage of the groups nomenclature (SHOE SIZE 15-23), describing the concept as apt, timely, symbolic and goal-targeted. 

While describing the governor as saleable product in any political market, he exuded optimism and satisfaction in the governor’s prudent management of the state patrimony, maintaining that Gov. Udom Emmanuel is a leader for the time and anything short of that could spell doom for the economy of the state. 

He said, I am particularly very impressed by your laudable initiative in the state. It is quit unheard of, unprecedented for a sociopolitical group to go back to the people and thank them for supporting a particular political course after elections, especially considering the economic situation of the state and country now. To me, the concept is symbolic, heart-touching and highly commendable. No wonder, the name SHOE SIZE has become a house-hold name in the state. 

He added, I want to therefore charge you to keep selling my boss, the governor and his numerous developmental strides to the people especially those at the grassroots. Keep it going, keep the flag flying and the keep the fire burning. In the same vein, the Paramount Ruler of Ikono, HRM. Edidem Nyong Obop commended the body for the gesture, admitting the fact that such is a whopping one especially considering the harsh economy of the state and nation. 

The erudite monarch and retired but erstwhile Auditor-General used the medium to eulogize the governor for his laudable projects initiated in different parts of the state, describing him (Gov. Udom) as a rare gem, prudent financial manager and an unfeigned Christian  so fit to return to the hilltop mansion come 2019. 

The Ntippe Ibibio traditional ruler however rendered royal blessings to the leadership of the group and charged them to keep it up as such, according to him, is a replica of patriotic feats espoused by the National Anthem of the country, Nigeria. Admonishing the body to continue towing the path of unity and peaceful coexistence between/among different ethnic groups of the state (which apparently make up its members), he (the royal father) used the medium to send special greetings to the governor through the groups leadership team. 

PLEASE MY SONS, TELL THE GOVERNOR I GREET HIM. Responding, the National Coordinator of the organization, Hon. Aniekan Morgan Ekwere (Million Dollar) and the groups BOT chairman, Hon. Udo Ekwere said the group were in Ikono as part of its on-going thank you tour to the area. 

The duo who said the body is hitting the ground running, appreciated Mr. Itoro Columba and the Monarch for the rousing reception of the team Shoe Size in the area. (Report(s) filed by Kendi Jumbo). NSIT IBOM, NSIT UBIUM, IBESIKPO ASUTAN, IKONO, INI AGOG AS IMC PAYS THANK YOU VISIT - NKANGA, OKON LAGOS, ERIC AKPAN ORS. SALUTE GROUPS VISIT BY KENDI JUMBO The on-going thank you tour organized by Ibom Mandate Crusaders, IMC, (A.K.A. Shoe Size 15-23) has continued to gather serious momentum as the team extended its visit to Nsit Ibom, Nsit Ubium, Ibesikpo Asutan, Ikono and Ini local government areas last week in a grand style. 

The groups visit to Nsit Ibom in particular was an icing in the cake as the event attracted the creme de la crème of the local government coupled with an unprecedented crowd of members who thronged the Ikot Nyah  venue of the epochal occasion. 

Some of the dignitaries who graced the event includes but not limited to the following: the ex Director General, Divine Mandate 2015 and former Military Governor of the state, Otuekong Idongesit Nkanga (rtd.), S.A to the Governor on Ethical Reorientation, Hon. Ime Bishop (Okon Lagos), S.A on Project, Hon. Eric Akpan, a Political/Youth Activist, Evang. Aniediabasi George (Udombakara), S.A on Transportation, Hon. Udo Ekwere, S.A on Project Monitoring (Ikot Ekpene Sen. Dist.), Pst. Mike Akpan, Hon. Godwin Job, Village Head, Ikot Nyah, Eteidung E. S. Akpan, Hon. James Inyang, Bishop I. H. Joshua, Pst. Nse Udoh, Mr. Nsikan Bassey amongst others. Addressing the mammoth crowd, the National Coordinator of the team Shoe Size 15-23, Hon. Aniekan Morgan Ekwere (Million Dollar) expressed happiness for the warm reception of the group in the area, disclosing that the group were there to specially thank its teeming members for standing by governor Udom Emmanuel and the PDP-led government in the state during the last conducted elections. 

Hon. Ekwere who is currently the Special Adviser to the governor on Projects Supervision reiterated that the visit was in partial fulfillment of the groups promise to them during the 2015 guber campaign and subsequent elections. He, however, commended the leadership of the chapter for remaining focused and organized after the last elections unlike what is usually obtainable in other sociopolitical climes. 

The Shoe Size 15-23 team leader used the medium to canvass support for governor Udom Emmanuel- led administration in the state and the party (PDP), noting that the groups vision is completely in line with the vision of the party, PDP, which, according to him, is to ensure consolidation of the gains of governance in the state beyond 2019. He said, The leadership of Ibom Mandate Crusaders (Shoe Size 15-23) has deemed it fit to come back after our last victory in 2015 guber to say to our teeming members who relentlessly stood for their belief in Udom’s mandate thank you. 

This is a clear sign that when things will gets better as it will, we will never leave any of our member behind. It could be clearly recalled that IMC was one of the foremost groups that was evidently seen during the commissioning to mark the governors one year in office at all the project sites. This is a clear indication that IMC has never and will never leave any stone unturned when it come to rallying genuine support for our governor, Deacon Udom Emmanuel. IMC is not an ordinary sociopolitical group, it has it tab root link to God Almighty. 

This informed why we have been paying tithe from money accruing to us. We are hitting the ground running and we are on course towards ensuring that our vision (shoe Size 15-23) is achieved to the letter. God is with us. 

Our mission is to redefine the history of socio-political organization in Akwa Ibom State in such a way that will restore trust, sincerity of purpose and total commitment to a given political task. This is what IMC stands for, Hon. Ekwere. Reeling out other benefits for its members, Ekwere said that members of the group stand a chance of benefiting from the zero interest and non-collateral loans (soft loan) which will be given to them by the government through the groups’ cooperative society (Shoe Size Women Multipurpose Cooperative Society), as well as regular visit, mobilization of the group amongst others. 

Speaking briefly on the history of the group, he said: Ibom Mandate Crusaders (A.K.A Shoe Size 15-23) was duly registered in July, 2014 with the states Bureau of Political Affairs with membership strength cutting across the six geo-political regions/zones of Nigeria and, its breaking frontiers into overseas like South Africa amongst others. 

Responding, Otuekong Idongesit Nkanga commended the team for the visit, and described the group as a GROUP WITH CONSCIENCE. The former Military Governor represented by his brother, Elder Ekanikpong Nkanga said that the group has, via the kind gesture proven itself as a group to follow and trust. 

He prayed God to bless, replenish and guide the group to achieve its lofty vision. He said, What this shoe Size group is doing is rare, I mean very rare in this part of the world and indeed the world over. I must say, this feat alone has proven a fact that this is a group with conscience, sincerity and trust. 

Commenting on the visit, the Chapter Coordinator of the group, Sir Nsikan Basssey said the visit has replaced tears of sorrow and mistrust in their eyes with tears of joy and hope in the eyes of its teeming members in the area. He, however, on behalf of the chapter expressed avowed commitment to ensure the group achieves maximum success in the chapter. 

Similarly, at Nsit Ubium, Ibesikpo Asutan, Ikono, Ini and Ikot Abasi similar feats were achieved. In their separate goodwill messages, the Coordinator, Ibesikpo Asutan, Comr. Idara Effiong, that of Nsit Ubium, Mr. Ime Abraham, that of Ikono, Hon. Ben Nyeneime and that of Ikot Abasi acknowledged and appreciated the groups visit and pledged total cooperation. 

Highpoints of the visit were: cash donation, prayers for the state, motion for a vote of confidence on the governor, commissioning of the chapters secretariat at Ikono among others.