A new chapter has been opened in the politics of Ibesikpo Asutan and the event still reverberating, as, the Council Chairman, Hon. Apostle Ekpe James set a record, as he splashed 8 vehicles to supporters, a bus to NULGE and several other gift items on the day, Ibesikpo Asutan stood still for him.
Elated by the unprecedented socio-political feat, the Council secretary, Mr Daniel Ekanem, a.k.a Spinner, described Apsotle Ekpe James as a Jinx Breaker, a deliverer and liberator of Ibesikpo Asutan people with his impact governance, and initiating what no past or current political office holder in the area has ever done.
The council Secretary hailed Ekpe James, emphasising that, generations unborn will always sing his praises as he has finally broken the jinx and evil covenant that, no elected or appointed political leader in the history of the area has ever gone out of his way to show kindness and give back so much to the society. He recalled that last December, the Council Chairman also gave out seven brand new cars to some lucky beneficiaries. He restated his conviction that, if left alone by traducers and disgruntled elements, Hon. James will do much more as he has promised.
The Grand reception ceremony organized by the people of Ibesikpo Ward 2 in honour of Apostle Ekpe James, has been described as the first of its kind in the Local Government.
The ceremony which was held at the primary School Ground, Ikot Ambon, Ibesikpo Asutan LGA on Friday, May 30, 2014 was chaired by a prominent son of the area, legal practitioner, and Secretary of Ibom Power Company, Barr. Ime Asibong and was attended by prominent personalities within and outside the area including Elder Ubong Obot, Hon Eyakeno Etukudo, Barr. Comfort Etuk, Obong T O Akpan, Chief Sunday Elijah Akpan, Obong Emmanuel Ukim, Chief Dominic Nyong, Prof. Joseph Offiong Udoayang and Prof. Effiong J Etuk.
Others also present during the ceremony were the 10 Councilors of the area lead by the Legislative Leader, Hon Sylvester Harry; Supervisors and Special Advisers, Council Staff led by the Head of Service, Former Council Chairman and Vice Chairman led by Barr. Chris Essien; Ibesikpo Asutan Traditional Rulers Council, the Village Heads in Ward 2, women/youth groups among others.
At the event, Apostle Ekpe James donated cars, cash and other empowerments gifts including 8 brand new cars, 1 Toyota Hiace Bus to NULGE, 10 Sewing machines, 12 Refrigerators, 4 Hair Dryer, 10 Generating sets and 40 Mattress
to the people of the area.
Earlier, Apostle James who was furious at what he described as wicked attempts by evil-minded clique to remove him from office, dared them to ensure that they remove him the next day, because if the tarry, he will do more empowerment than what he did last december when he gave out seven cars, cash and other gift items to the people and the current outing as enumerated above. The Ibesikpo Asutan leader wondered why some elements were loosing their sleep, desperately doing everything to run him down before Governor Akpabio through a well orchestrated smear campaign of falsehood, blackmail and calumny. He called on such people to retrace their steps from a fruitless venture as he has worked out a solid relationship with the man he said is a proven performer, trusted leader and Uncommon Transformer over the years and the governor knows that he(Ekpe James) cannot be an enemy of Akpabio. He however confessed that, but for that trust that exists between him and the governor which predated his emergence as Council Chairman in an election he won overwhelmingly, he would have been ousted from office given the intensity of the conspiracy that he has suffered since he assumed office.
Hon. James warned those who were playing dirty politics and have kept him and Ibesikpo Council under siege for so long to retrace their steps, failure of which he pleaded with royal fathers to invoke ikan(curses) on those who have vowed that the area cannot be liberated from the clutches of misgovernance so that they can meet their perdition.
While assuring the people of his commitment to hosting another empowerment programme soon, with more to come before his tenure ends, Apostle James who used to occasion to hint that, he will run for the Senate seat of Senatorial District come 2015, which he said has been zoned to Ibesikpo Asutan and Uruan Local Governmentsn pledged that his people will witness many more good days and tidings under his watch.
While calling for the continued support of the people to the Akpabio led administration and his government in the area, he counselled the Political Leader of Ibesikpo Asutan, Prince Uwem Ita Etuk to beware of false sycophants and political jobbers who are intent on driving a wedge between them and urged him to continue to defend the interest of Ibesikpo Asutan as his position entrusts him to do.
For some Councillors who have been having a cold war with him, Ekpe James sued for peace and charged them to follow the path of truth and not allow external forces manipulate them for selfish political ends. He said he was not in the council to fight anybody, but to ensure Ibesikpo Asutan people enjoy the benefits of good governance and get empowered as it is done in other places. He further added that, he was giving so much back to society not only for the much they have given to him, but to make a clear practical demonstration that, gone are the days when people in government deceive the people by claiming that there is nothing good or rosy about political office and so people should expect nothing from them. He thanked the people for honouring him and said it is incumbent on him to do more and justify the mandate and trust given to him.
The Chairman on the occasion, Barr Ime Asibong in his address described the ceremony as a remarkable and wonderful celebration as such had never happened in the political history of the area and Ibesikpo Asutan in general Barr Asibong who quoted from the saying that when the righteous in on the throne, the people rejoice, maintained that Apostle Ekpe James, since assumption of duty as the Executive Chairman of the area has rewritten the political history of the Ibesikpo Austan, which according to him have been buried over the years by the selfish and self-centered politicians of the area, and as well put off shame in the faces of the people of the area in terms of providing life touching projects and sustainable empowerment packages to the people. “He has performed with dexterity and dynamism”. He said.
According to Barr Asibong, the leadership style and the uncommon strides of Apostle Ekpe James worth celebration and support as he has brought back hope to Ibesikpo Austan people and as well defined the true meaning of democracy by taking government closer to the people of the grassroots, while calling on the people of the area to rendered their necessary support to the chairman as to motivate him to continue do more.
Also speaking, the chairman of the Planning, Comrade Nsini Udofia on behalf of people of ward 2 welcomed the dignitaries who came from different parts of the state to the colourful ceremony.
Comrade Udofia, said that the reception is very historic in the lives of the people Ibesikpo ward 2 and as well the entire Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area as “Our Souls have escaped as a bird from the snare of the fowlers, the snare is broken and we have escaped from the impending curse that would have swallowed us up as a people”, adding that the ceremony will continue to be memorable in their hearts.
He specifically thanked, Apostle Ekpe James for taking the task of rebuilding the broken wall of Ibeskpo Austan upon his shoulders which according to him he has become their “deliverer from torments and agony that daily frightened” their souls and that they have seen their tomorrow in the mirror of the reception, “as it looks very bright and full of promise”. They said:
In their separate speeches, Barr Chris Essien, Rt. Hon. T.O Akpan, Elder Ubong Obot, Barr Comfort Etuk and Chief Sunday Elijah Akpan, all appreciated the chairman for his life touching projects, entrepreneurial programmes and human capacity building rendered to the people of the area.
They said that Ekpe James is not only received as the Executive Chairman of the council, but as cultured Nigerian who has dared to be different in a generation where leaders no longer fulfill their promises.
The event which was filled with songs of praises to the Executive Chairman also featured presentation of Excellence Award by the South-South Youths Assembly; the Chieftaincy Title of Obong Iberedem of ward 2 by the 10 Village Heads of the Ward and Otuekong/Utienikang Ikot Udo Ekop by Ikot Udo Ekop Village Council led by the Village Head of the Community.
Other Awardees who was also honoured during the occasion were the wife of the Chairman, Mrs. Ima-Obong Ekpe James, Prof. Joseph Offiong Udoayang, Prof. Effiong J Etuk, Prince Uwem Ita Etuk, Barr. Comfort Etuk, Hon Eyakeno Etukudoh, Rt. Hon. T O Akpan Elder Ubong Obot and Barr Ime Asibong among others.
The event also featured reception of defectors from other political parties to the PDP fold. The defectors were lead by Rt. Hon T O Akpan, a defunct ACN Chieftain as well as presentation of Godswill messages by groups and individuals including; PDP, Ibesikpo ward 2; Ibesikpo Asutan Legislature Council, Okukuk solidarity movement, Akpasima Unity forum, Federal Ibesikpo Asutan students Association, Akwa Ibom United Group and the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Ibesikpo Asutan Chapter. The ceremony finally ended with royal blessing offered to the chairman by traditional ruler’s council of Ibesikpo Asutan as well as cultural display by different cultural groups.
On Sunday, June 1
st, 2014, Apostle (Hon) Dr. Ekpe James also led his family members, friends, relatives, Council Staff and Political office holders/ stakeholders of Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government area on a thanksgiving service at the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star, Four Towns Cathedral, Abak Road Uyo to thank God on his wonderful works, grace and mercy upon his life, family and the successful working of the council since his assumption of duty.
The thanksgiving was attended by friends, supporters as well as Bishops, Apostles, Pastors of BCS led by His Lordship, Bishop Samuel Akpan, the Bishop of Nigeria and other clerics from other denominations within and outside the state.
Apostle Joseph Essien, the Leader’s Representative of Four Towns Cathedral, Uyo while presentating a welcome address thanked the Almighty God whom he described as the ‘Master Designer’ and ‘Architect of the ceremony’ for his goodness, mercy and grace in the life of the celebrant and that of his family.
He added that in every stage of development in the Cathedral, Apostle James has played key roles of which he has serviced as the Bethel Choir Chairman, Chairman of Bethel Men’s Fellowship and Bethel Secretary for years and currently, serving as the Cathedral General Fellowship Chairman.
He therefore thanked all who came to join in the celebration of success and achievement so far by the Chairman.
At the thanksgiving service, Apostle James, who is also the International Chairman of Christ Natural Chorister Fellowship, BCS, was full of praises to the Almighty God for his benevolence upon his life and family and therefore urged all to emulate Christ’s example, learn to endure in life as the creator has plans for individual’s.
In an appreciation, he donated a brand new car to the Dean, College of Bishops and the Bishop of Akwa Ibom State, His Lordship Bishop Bassey Imowo.
The later led the people to a reception ceremony at the museum play ground. Addressing his people at the reception venue, Apostle Ekpe James expressed his determination to focus on providing more dividend of democracy to his people
The council boss noted that despite the attacks and challenges meted to him by his enemies that he will never be intimidated, stressing that he has come as a political assets to the area, while calling for supports and cooperation from the people of the area in order not to lose out in the politics of the state.
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