A thanksgiving of note

 

Awa-Iman in Onna LGAwas little known before January 26, 2014. History submits that it was formerly in Etinan LGA but was excised and added to Onna to beef its landmass and population which were viewed as too meager to constitute a Local Government Area. Onna LGA was created on May 3, 1989 with a substantial part of it carved out of old Eket LGA. 

History further states that the word ONNA is derived from a combination of the first letters of the clans that make up the area namely: Oniong, Nung Ndem and Awa. But Awa despite being part of this peculiarity remained largely unheard and unsung until January 26. It is a common saying that a bad Child is a constant source of shame to the mother while a good one is considered a pride to the father nay the community. On that fateful day, Udom Gabriel Emmanuel proved himself a pride to his family, community and indeed the State given the size and quality of people that thronged Awa-Iman to be part of a special thanksgiving service organized by his family to mark God’s faithfulness upon his life. It was indeed a memorable event. 


The event which was held at Qua Iboe Church Primary School, Awa-Iman was special in a myriad of ways. From the panoply of canopies, the exotic décor, the sea of posters with charitable words for Udom Emmanuel and Governor Akpabio, people adorned in resplendent uniforms, the array of impeccable clergy-men, to the village setting which appeared receptive and enthusiastic, the event condensed into a thanksgiving that enjoyed apparent acceptance by man and God. Even the size of the crowd had an uncanny way of proving the acceptability. After-all a corrupt assertion posits that what is done on earth may have the ease of replication in Heaven. 

With parking lots around the Primary School stretched to breaking points and two sides of the road leading to the venue and stretching a distance of about two kilometers filled with vehicular congestion, it would be safe to say that it was the first time Awa-Iman was playing host to such teeming number of people. Kudos to the organizers of the event who had foresight to hold the event at the Primary School grounds instead of the 117-year-old Qua Ibeo Church which is also on the premises that houses the School. But even at that, majority of the people could not find seats and had to stand through out the event without complaints. 

The homily which was delivered by Apostle Emmanuel Kure was instructive. It elucidated the value of thanksgiving while encouraging faithfulness to God amongst Christians. The Master of Ceremony, Mr. Oliver Udoukpo in his introduction of him later said: “Your Excellency, this is the man that preached. He did very well”. That proclamation received ovation from the congregation as a testament of its veracity. One of the high-points of the event came when Mr. Udom Emmanuel and immediate family were invited to the pulpit. Mr. Udom who spoke on behalf of the family was as riveting as his boss, Governor Akpabio whose soapbox mastery has morphed into legendary. The Secretary to the State Government said the occasion has availed him with an opportunity to thank God for His faithfulness to his life, promotion, family and parents. 

He thanked his family for their prayers and support, his parent for the training and discipline they inculcated in him and Qua Iboe Church for instilling in him the ways of the Lord through Sunday Schools, wondering if any other Church would have achieved such feat. He commended the Chairman of Zenith Bank, Jim Ovia for bringing him up in the ways of integrity. 

The crescendo of his speech came when he waxed political. He had devoted a phase of his speech to pour encomium on his boss whom he described as a man who does God’s will. Hear him: “I thank God for Governor Godswill Akpabio for what he is doing in my family. I thank him for listening to God and doing only God’s will. Today, I stand in awe and say God will bless him and his family” Mr. Udom described Governor Akpabio as a go-getter and urged him not to be distracted by envious criticisms noting “we have found in you a treasure that many that are far can’t find”. Quoting from Open Heavens, he said: “God does not choose those who qualify but qualifies those he chooses”, explaining that Governor Akpabio’s choice of him as SSG was not because he qualified. And to fully illustrate his readiness to work cordially with his boss, Mr. Udom went philosophical and scriptural: “Speak and thy servant will hear” and repeated the phrase about twice to the thunderous ovation of the crowd which quickly construed it as Mr. Udom’s request that the Governor makes a policy statement about the governorship seat as it pertains to 2015 and perhaps the SSG.
When Governor Akpabio took the stage, the crowd was electrified. Known to possess strong historic talents, complemented with charming looks, he regaled the people with dramatic acts that elicited throbbings of laughter and ovation. As he paced around the elevation that served as pulpit, he said: “Udom, verily, verily, I say unto you, I will speak to you today”.

 The scriptural phrase drew pitched ovation and laughter as he continued, “Oh my God, I am going to prophesy. I am only restraining myself”. He said that the immediate lesson of the thanksgiving could be deduced from the clement weather which according to him was proof that God had accepted the exercise. Hear him: “God has accepted this thanksgiving. This is what I like Akwa Ibom children to emulate. You have to imbibe the spirit of always coming back to thank God”. Governor Akpabio confessed that when he came in 2007, he was a neophyte in governance but because he went to thank God, the little he knew enjoyed God’s increase and He urged him to continue since He(God) was always with him. In that same vein, Governor Akpabio asked Udom Emmanuel to continue because according to the governor, the Lord is with him. He urged the people of Eket Senatorial District to shop for a credible candidate that would take the reins of governance come 2015 assuring them that there will be no rigging and that the people’s votes will count. Again, hear him: “If I were a politician and I heard the people unanimously declaring that they are going to Eket Senatorial District, I would have known that you can’t rig election where you are not popular”. 

Governor Akpabio also used the occasion to stem the buffeting rumour of rift between him and the CAN State Chairman, Dr. Cletus Bassey, stating that there was absolutely no disagreement between him and the man of God.

 The governor said that he rather offered more elucidation and corroboration to the position canvassed in Dr. Bassey’s homily during the State Solemn Assembly that Akwa Ibom State is one united Ibibio tribe and that the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria recognizes three Senatorial Districts, thus arising the need for equitable power shift amongst to the three districts. He advised mischief makers and promoters of such insinuations to desist if they love the State and fear God. 

Torrents of testimonies and encomiums also went the way of Mr. Udom Emmanuel during the thanksgiving service. The Group Managing Director (GMD) of Zenith Bank, Mr. Godwin Emefele said this of Mr. Udom Emmanuel; “In Udom you find a professional who will work for the development of Akwa Ibom State. The Head of Service, Mrs. Cecilia Udoessien in her message of felicitation to the celebrant thanked Governor Akpabio for the choice of Mr. Udom as SSG describing him as “a very dependable team player, a willing partner in the uncommon transformation project”. Ntisong Ibibio III, Dr. Essien Ekidem described Mr. Udom Emmanuel as an illustrious son commending Governor Akpabio for the vision that gave birth to the choice. Honorable Commissioner for Special Duties, Barrister Emmanuel Enoidem in his goodwill message noted; “that you have decided to thank Him especially for the new role/responsibility He has entrusted in your hands signposts your preparedness to work in partnership with Him”. 

This assertion is truly representative of Mr. Udom Emmanuel who is already in the arduous role of a Deacon of Qua Iboe Church as a youngman and noted for many exploits which he has done for God in the Church. Permanent Secretary, Government House,, Elder Etekamba Umoren in his goodwill message had this to say: “This occasion not only manifests your appreciation of God’s mercies, but your preparedness to make Him your focus in the tasks of contributing to the uncommon transformation of the State”. The State party chairman, Obong Paul Ekpo prayed the thanksgiving occasion to offer Mr. Udom Emmanuel “renewed inspiration for stronger commitment and dedication to the greater and uncommon Akwa Ibom project. 

The well attended Special Thanksgiving Service has been hailed as a great initiative. Aside from the spiritual yearning that it satisfied, it also provided opportunity for the appraisal of the rapid integration and settling of Mr. Udom Emmanuel into the socio-political firmaments of the State. The ability to learn fast under an able boss which is apparent underscores him as the asset many have construed him to be. The Chartered Accountant from a humble background who has made hardwork his creed seems set to serve as another harbinger of hope for Akwa Ibom people who have enjoyed unprecedented development these past six and some fraction years. There is the need for the people of the State to rally together to keep the hope alive. With this hope, they will hew out economic development that would translate into industrialization. Keep hope alive.

Joe Iniodu is a public affairs analyst.