AK Varsity Town (Ikot Akpaden) gets new village head

The people of the university town of Ikot Akpaden in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area have been reminded that the State Government reposes a lot of confidence in them as the landlords and protectors of the main campus of Akwa Ibom State University. They can therefore justify this confidence by living in peace and unity among themselves and extending the same to visitors, students, staff and investors as they have always done. This, they have been told, will ensure that the state university and its property remain safe and prosperous.

This admonition was delivered by the chairman of Ikot Akpaden village council, Chief Macaulay Uko recently when he presented the new village head-elect, Chief Ufot Dick Amankop Ikwaibom community. Chief Uko said that since his duties revolved around rendering service to his people in line with the customs and traditions of Ikot Akpaden, he had to perform the divine duty to honour the ancestors as the village head-elect was meticulously selected by members of Ikwaibom royal household and handed over to him. He expressed delight that due process was followed without rancour adding that he had no doubt that the people will readily accept their new village head with joy after the former one had joined his ancestors.

Chief Uko commended the Ikwaibom royal family for not delaying on the selection of another village head saying that the move pointed to the fact that the community had begun to reclaim its leadership role in the clan. He called for unity of purpose in determining the direction of development and progress of Ikot Akpaden, adding that a lot was expected from the village.

Earlier, the deputy chairman of the village council and head of Ekanem Ikwaibom family, Chief Young Ekanem, said that after the burial last year of the former village head, Obong (Arc.) Mfon Ekanem, all the six (6) households that make-up Ikwaibom royal families were formally informed. According to him, the royal families later convocated at Akrasi family hall on December 24th, 2014 without one family which abstained. They deliberated and selected the village head-elect from Nkodoho family.

Chief Ekanem assured the community that the new village head elect was found reliable, worthy in character and learning as well as being God-fearing, adding that all he required was the cooperation of all and sundry.

In his brief remarks, the village head-elect, Chief Ufot Dick Amankop Ikwaibom said that 2015 is the year of the new covenant of Ikot Akpaden with God Almighty. Quoting Psalm 24v1-6, he said that his prayers had always been for God to bless the community with peace and prosperity adding that there is no reason why the village should not take its pride of place in the comity of progressive towns in Akwa Ibom State.

Representatives of the youths and women were full of praise and thanksgiving to God for letting them witness the occasion. They thanked members of the village council for a job well done and urged the village head-elect to lead to lead them along the path of righteousness pledging their unalloyed loyalty, cooperation and constant prayers. Present at the occasion were heads families and a cross section of the community.