It was another season of celebration last Saturday at the premises of Rtd Deputy Inspector General of Police, Udom Ekpoudom as members of his Clan and Village gathered to receive gifts ranging from Motorcycles,Wrappers andfood items from him.
The gathering which was attended by prominent citizens of Etim Ekpo Local Government Area had in attendance, business moguls, political and religious leaders and educationists from the area including the 10 Ward Chairmen in the local government area.
While16 people smiled home with new motorcycles, the widows got items like Rice, Meat and Wrappers from the Rtd DIG and wife.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, Bishop Ahaisiah Umana commended Udom Ekpoudom and wife for their consistent generosity in giving to their people at all times. He described Ekpoudom as a man having the fear of God in him as a guiding principle; recalling that he prayed for the Rtd Officer when he began his Police career and also intimated him of his imminent goodwill when he was to be promoted.
Bishop Umana thanked Ekpoudom for heeding his advicenot to forget his peoplewhile in service and on retirement and advised the beneficiaries of the items to handle them with care so that they will enjoy using them for a long time. He admonished them not to rough-handle the motorcycle they have received adding that the journey of a thousand mile starts with a step.
In his speech, the Rtd DIG said that the gathering was not a new thing to him and his wife. He maintained that before the advent of free education in the State, he had been givingscholarship to over 50 indigenous students yearly and that while in the Police service, he gave employment to many people in the Police Force and other places; adding that the Motorcycles have been a regular gift to his people courtesy of his family.
The Retired Officer, while commending Tower of Ivory School for helping to generate employment for his people; saidthat his benevolent acts are not for political purposes or for the contest of any election though, he is qualified to contest any elective position in the country. He disclosed that when the political war was heated in 2011 after his retirement, his people called him to honour him but he told them to transfer their love for him to the Governor and support his second term ambition if they so love him. He noted that he was however surprised to hear people blackmail him by saying he had started campaigning for Senate when he laid the foundation for the construction of EtimEkpo Traditional Rulers Council Secretariat when all he had in mind was to redeem the initial promise he made to his people.
He further expressed that the money he is using forempowerment is his personal sacrifice andfamily savings which is unaffiliated to the government’s moneyand called on EtimEkpo people to continue in their support for the Governor till 2015; stressing that EtimEkpo people will only support who they know in 2015 and not a stranger who does not know them either.
Also speaking, the wife of the RtdDIG, Mrs. DorathyEkpoudom described the day as their own Christmas where they invited everyone in the area to celebrate with them. She thanked the people for coming out within a short notice and pledged her continuous support for the women of EtimEkpo.
Hon. MfonIdung, Bishop Enomfon Akpan, Engr. Akanimo Edet, Barr Christopher Okorie and Hon. Ini Okopido who spoke at intervals described Udom Ekpoudom as a perfect example of a giver whose kind has never been seen or heard of in Etim Ekpo. They noted that it was rare for an individual to consistently engage in giving to his people without any political intention and expressed that this show of love is the best way of relating with people; adding that when there is love, people can feel each other’s impact. They therefore called on the people to continue in their prayers and support of their senior; attesting that God kept them at the head so that they will be a source of blessing others.
They prayed God’s blessings on Ekpoudom’s family and called on others to emulate the examples of the Rtd DIG by giving to the less privileged in their own capacity, while advising parents to encourage their children to go to school so that they can be of meaning to the society.
Responding to the Officer’s gesture, one of the beneficiaries of the Motorcycle, Mr. Ubong Inokon thanked the DIG and his family for always caring for their welfare by helping those in need to stand strong. He noted that Ekpoudom has demonstrated that he is a true leader of the people who does not think of himself and family alone but the betterment of his people as well. He also prayed God to replenish the family’s pocket and bless them accordingly.
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