"The state governor while congratulating the Secretary to the State Government for his faithfulness in God and for imbibing the culture of thanksgiving said “God has accepted this thanksgiving. This is what I like all Akwa Ibom children to emulate. You have to imbibe the spirit of always coming back to thank God.”
Going back memory lane, Akpabio recalled “when I came in as governor in 2007, I came like this to thank God and the little I knew about governance because as a neophyte, I did not know much about governance.”
Akwa Ibom people, men, women and children in different colourful uniforms adorned the canopies, the Real Brass and the Little David saxophonist were on hand to provide melodious tones to the listening pleasure of the excited crowd, the politicians and captains of industry joined voices in thanking God in behalf of Emmanuel’s family.
On the roll of those who left their businesses to honour Emmanuel included the Boss, the Uncommon Transformer, the Onoikpoinam, the Utuenikang Ibibio and the Digital Governor himself, Chief Godswill Akpabio, the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom state.
Others were the Deputy Governor, Lady Valerie Ebe, the Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Samuel Ikon, Justice John Okoro, Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Justice Idongesit Ntem Isua, the state chief judge.
Attendees also included General Edet Akpan rtd, Senator Helen Esuene, Senator Ita Enang, Senator Effiong Bob, Wing Commander Idongesit Nkanga, Chief Bassey Dan-Abia snr., the Managing Director of NDDC, Obong Paul Ekpo, State Chairman of the PDP, Chief Nduese Essien, former Minister for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Group Managing Director of Zenith Bank, Mr. Godwin Emefule.
State Commissioners, Council Chairmen, members of various Boards, political groups, the clergy from various denominations contributed to the success story of Emmanuel’s thanksgiving service.
For the Secretary to the Government of Akwa Ibom state, Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, January 26, 2014 was another day of glory. Of course he is not a stranger to such honours and moments of glory. At birth some 47 years ago, as usual in a village setting, he was honoured by villagers and friends of his immediate family in Awa Iman, a quiet and serene village in Onna local government area who trooped to the family compound to herald his arrival.
Though Udom as he is fondly called by friends is the second son of the family, either by inspiration or some form of divine guidance, the father, Gabriel Emmanuel Nkanang, an Elder in the Qua Iboe Church saw afar off that the child would lift the family name to high heavens. No wonder that on the eighth day he was named Udom which by translation in English means ‘the Right hand’.
As if there is something in a name and methinks there is, considering the likes of President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Godswill Akpabio, who defied a low family background to become names to be reckoned with in the comity of nations or states, Udom has truly become the ‘right hand’ man to the family.
Interestingly Udom ‘the right hand’ of Gabriel Nkanang has grown to be a leading light and shining star to his family and even today, his name sounds more than any of his siblings.
From that not so flamboyant background as a son of a school teacher, Emmanuel who has kept the family name with the respect and integrity it deserves, is today well-spoken of by admirers and associates resulting in awards, commendations and accolades because of his commitment and dexterity to work.
Speaking of Emmanuel, Chief Nduese Essien, a former National Assembly member and former Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, said “ from my little interaction with Emmanuel, he has exhibited a high level of brilliance, intelligence and educated persons who succeeds in one field of human endeavor always tend to succeed in other areas too.”
According to Mr. Godwin Emefule, the Group Managing Director of Zenith Bank Plc, the bank in which Udom himself held sway as the Executive Director for Finance until his appointment as SSG last year, “if you want a thorough bred professional, you will need Udom, if you want loyal and humble worker, you will see it in Udom and if you need someone who is committed and dedicated to duty, you will have it in Udom.”
The event of January 26, though a thanksgiving service was epochal. From Ikot Akpan Ishiet neighbouring village where Udom had early in life attended the Community Secondary Commercial School, there were palm fronts adorning both sides of the road to the venue of the event heralding the home coming of a worthy son thus reminiscing Jesus triumphant entry into Jerusalem as penned down in the scriptures.
It is doubtful if Emmanuel himself is aware of the distance many people trekked to get to the venue at the QIC Group School Awa Iman to grace the occasion which was a huge success.
Needless to say that the last time Awa Iman witnessed such crowd of people in one fell swoop was about four years ago when the Nollywood Actress, Iniobong Edo Jonathan Ekim got married to an Edo state born business mogul, Mr. Philip Ehingwina.
The state governor while congratulating the Secretary to the State Government for his faithfulness in God and for imbibing the culture of thanksgiving said “God has accepted this thanksgiving. This is what I like all Akwa Ibom children to emulate. You have to imbibe the spirit of always coming back to thank God.”
Going back memory lane, Akpabio recalled “when I came in as governor in 2007, I came like this to thank God and the little I knew about governance because as a neophyte, I did not know much about governance.”
In his words “I started trying to do small tarred roads. I brought in companies that could work in bringing about sustainable development. So the little I knew which was to work with first class and five star construction companies, God tapped me on the shoulder when I called on him in thanksgiving and said continue, I am with you and the result in six and half years is what we have come to know as uncommon transformation.”
“So for Udom Emmanuel, you have already qualified yourself and who am I to disqualify what God has qualified? So I say Udom… Continue, continue, and continue. A word is enough for the wise”, Akpabio stated
Regardless, Emmanuel, the man of the moment was full of smiles as he took the first bible lesson from the book of Psalms 136 verses 1-26 which verses like a well written poem ends with “for his mercy endureth forever”, according to King James Version.
Spotting a white overflowing agbada with black flat shoes to match, the confident Emmanuel, while presenting his address, gave thanks to the 0Almighty for his benevolence and to the Governor of Akwa Ibom state for qualifying him to be used in the service of Akwa Ibom state.
According to him “ I stand on this altar to say Father, silver and gold have I not Lord, but just as David did, the Bible says that David went to the Lord and said ‘ who am I and what is in my house that thou has brought me this far and yet this was a thing small in thy sight’”.
Continuing he said “Today God has been magnified, His name has been glorified. I thank God for Governor Godswill Obot Akpabio for what he is doing in my family. I thank him for listening to God and doing God’s will. Today I stand in awe and say God will bless him and his family.”
Emmanuel who went further to urge Akpabio not to be distracted said “ we have found in you a treasure that many that are far can’t find, for today’s thanksgiving, God does not choose who qualifies, but God qualifies those he chooses and you have played that role today.”
Speaking further he asserted “you never choose those that qualify but you qualify those that you choose. That is why I am here to give thanks to God that you qualified me as a Secretary to the State Government. You did not choose me because I qualify but you qualified me then chose me.”
As it is said that behind every successful man, there is a woman, it was not surprising Udom’s heartthrob who he fondly referred to as Nkpouto Udom Emmanuel was on hand, looking resplendent with a long blue skirt with reddish top, blue headgear, bangles and shoes to match.
The preaching by Apostle Emmanuel Kure, a Kaduna state based clergy was no less electrifying as he garnished his message with songs such as “Jehovah, you are the most high, you are the Most High God and Abasi Ayaiya.” He charged all in attendance to raise their hands to thank God for raising Emmanuel to the position he is at the moment.
He described Emmanuel as David in the Jesse’s family who in spite of the fact that he was in the bush tending to sheep and being the smallest of Jesse’s children, God looked beyond the mere appearance and saw something good in his heart to be anointed the King of Israel by Prophet Samuel. He disclosed that without knowing what was in stock for Emmanuel, he had earlier prophesied that God will give him triple visitation.
The event if not for anything gave the governor and some members of his cabinet to come to Awa Iman at least for the first time since Akpabio took over the mantle of leadership over six and half years ago.
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