Ikono will never be backward

Sen. Aloysius Etok, political leader of Ikono flanked by (left) Dr Clement Bassey - Deputy Political Leader and the Chairman of the Installation ceremony, Dr Emmanuel Akpanobong (right)

Protocol

With pleasure, I  warmly greet all of you here present, and also gladly send similar greetings to those who may have had unavoidable reason for no attending his epoch-making event.

To God be the glory! Ikono is onward moving and upward rising!!! The coming out together in this great number of the elders, the youths and the women for the purpose of making an acceptable, non-factional, uncontroversial and politically-oriented leader and the variously-equipped deputy as well as their competent lieutenants to form the political Advisory Council of Ikono is most laudable development to occur in the annals of the political history of Ikono.

This development marks the end of an era; the era of divide-and-rule or divide –and-lead as the case may be, just in the guise and pursuit of self interest and power usurpation. Above all, it will stop, kill and bury any external political invasion and undue influences which may tend to perpetrate a near-permanent seed of discord among families, friends, communities and largely practicing politicians within our political domain. This, we have helplessly witnessed in the recent past. Therefore, today, all of us, the good and peace-loving people of Ikono must rise and say No to external encroachment and demeaning.

The history made today will, in clear and strong terms, open a new phase of our political participation with a drawn agenda of defined unity, sustainable leadership, democratic and due process in the selection of candidates for elections as well as visionary representations.

It is heartening that the lot of this leadership fell on me and my able and pragmatic Deputy whom we all know and agree that he talks less but acts more. May I use this medium to congratulate him. Similarly, I rejoice with all the members of the Advisory Council. Indisputably, your selection into the council must have come through your integrity and steadfastness. 
 Accordingly, I charge you to uphold your tenets and embrace the spirit of working together for a collective achievement of result.

Finally and frankly, I feel humbled by the recognition and honour you have unanimously given me, I appreciate all of you for continuing to celebrate me while alive. I accept with humility to be your Political Leader.  With God, I will put in my all, to overcome the surrounding challenges in order to give you the much expected political direction.

Consequently, may I further use this medium to appeal to each and all of those who may have not been feeling at home as a result of my installation as the political leader, to start feeling at home and be more relaxed as no acrimony is nursed. Just as effort soon hereafter will be made to correct any anomaly or gray area observed. Every player will be adequately carried along and given the needed space to operate in tandem with the renewed resolve by Ikono people to be seen and respected as independent and honourable stock of the Ibibios.
Please do not be a by-stander; be an effective partaker by contributing in any little proportion that may be required of you to make Ikono a paradise on earth.
Thank you. God bless while wishing you a wonderful merry Christmas and prosperous New Year!

Senator Dr. Aloysius Akpan Etok, FCIMAN
Dated today Friday 20th December, 2013

Being a statement of acceptance of the mandate of political leadership of Ikono Local Government Area presented by distinguished Senator Dr. Aloysius  Etok, FCIMAN on his formal inauguration as the political leader of Ikono