(DIG) Udom Ekpoudom: A man with a passion for his people

 

So many people may  not have known or heard about the good works of DIG Udom Ekpoudom (Rtd) even after his retirement from active service in the Nigerian Police Force as Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG). Udom Ekpoudom, for those who may not know, is an indigene of Etim Ekpo Local Government Area. After climbing the peak of his carrier as DIG, he retired and returned home in order to make life more meaningful for his people.

The latest beneficiaries of his deeds are the Traditional Rulers of Etim Ekpo Local Government Area who can now boast of a befitting secretariat for their meeting functions courtesy of Ekpoudom’s generosity. The secretariat which comprises a meeting hall, an office for the Paramount Ruler of the area and the general office for the staff of the secretariat is said to have been initiated by the DIG’s love for his people. While speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony of the edifice, DIG Udom Ekpoudom noted that his people’s love for him especially the traditional rulers which was clearly epitomized during the reception and award ceremony organized for him after his meritorious retirement from the Nigeria Police Force is the reason for his action.

He recalled that during the above-mentioned reception and award ceremony; the people of Etim Ekpo Local Government Area, represented by the Paramount Ruler and all the Traditional rulers of the Local Government turned-up for the event. While expressing surprise that they had no meeting place, he expressed thus: “I discovered to my dismay that the Royal Fathers of my esteemed Local Government Area have no secretariat of their own so I therefore promised to build one for their use”. The Police Officer while thanking his people for the wonderful reception and the award of “Abom Etim Ekpo” given to him and “Obonganwan Unwana” to his wife said the reception and the award has given them the impetus to do more for the people.

To me, it was a surprise that a Local Government as big as Etim Ekpo never had a secretariat for their Traditional rulers; judging the caliber of top politicians from the area. But let me thank (DIG) Udom Ekpoudom for his good passion for the people of the area especially the traditional rulers.

I am of the opinion that if politicians from the region will stop “politics of self development” and play that of community development while joining hands with the likes of (DIG) Ekpoudom in the development of the area so as to also touch lives in the area, the area would have been rated one of the best among other Local Governments by now. My DIG Sir, I salute your good deeds for your people. keep it up and you will be handsomely rewarded by God.