It was a great moment of joy and merriments as the state commissioner for Lands and Town Planning, Obong Eno Akpan feted more than 5,000 Ukanafun people in his country home, Ikot Udo Mbang, Ukanafun Local Government Area at the weekend.
The ceremony was attended by a cross section of the people of the area including former members of the state House of Assembly, Obong Saturday Akpan and Barr Idongesit Umoh, elder brother of the commissioner, Elder J. S. Akpan, foremost journalist and senior citizen of the area, Mr Ray Ekpu, his younger brother and former commissioner for information in the state, Mr Census Ekpu, ace journalist and former managing editor of Daily Independent Newspaper, Lagos, Mr Akpandem James, one-time commissioner for economic development in the state, Mr Lawrence Udosen, former chairmen of Ukanafun Local Government Area, Obong Ime Atakpa and Mr Nseobong Umanah, former vice chairmen, Elder Aniefiok Mfiokho and Dr Charity Ido and spouse, managing director of Idems Ultimate Ltd, Mr Unyime Idem, state representative of the party, Obong Nsikak Udoibeh, PDP chapter chairman, Mr Godwin Sandy represented by his vice, Mr Ifiok Sampson and Obong Friday Udousung.
Others were: the Bishop of the Methodist Church, Diocese of Nkek Abak, Rt. Rev. Usen Akpanenua, the prelate of Rapture Trust Ministries Int'l Incorporated, Bishop Moswill Umoh, the founder of Zion Deliverance Light Church, Bishop Sunday Uwah, Rev Victor Philip, Rev Usen Umoh, acting president of Akwa Esop Ikpaisong Afaha, Obong Kelvin Udoworen, president, Confederation of Ukanafun Youth Leaders, Barr Ndipmmo Umoh, Prince Umakiso Victor and Prince Ekong Udom, managing director of Dammy Memorial Hospital, Dr Udeme Akpan, former chapter chairman, Elder Sunday Idungafa, Barr Aniekan Akpan, clans and vellage heads, youth groups, students, women and local artistes.
Obong Eno Akpan, who said the get-together was part of his yearly ritual of dinning and winning with his people as opportunity to reference God for his grace and protection will continue even after his leaving office as a public servant.
He lauded the people of the area for supporting the Chief Godswill Akpabio throughout the tenure and nominating him as the senatorial candidate for Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District in 2015 as well as Mr Udom Emmanuel as the PDP gubernatorial candidate for the 2015 polls, as well as other PDP candidates.
The commissioner announced One Million Naira for Northern Afaha Women Cooperative Society, One Million bursary for students of tertiary institutions from the area, five hundred thousand for Ukanafun Peoples Assembly multi-purpose cooperative society, three hundred thousand for the disabled and other goodies, including One Hundred and fifty bags of rice to groups and organizations.
The chairman on the occasion and acting president of Akwa Esop Ikpaisong Afaha, Obong Kelvin Udoworen lauded Obong Akpan for his magnanimity and kindheartedness, calling on other political office holders to emulate the commissioner.
Udoworen thanked Akpabio for being a listening governor and for helping to maintain zoning which consolidated the peace in Ukanafun Local Government Area, pledging the resolve of Ukanafun people to swim and sink with the governor.
In his exhortation, the Methodist Bishop of Nkek Abak, Rt. Rev. Usen Akpanenua charged political office holders to reverence God in all their dealings as He is the Author and Finisher of their faith.
Akpanenua appreciated Akpabio for appointing the commissioner into his cabinet, describing him as humane, charitable, progressive-minded and people friendly.
He poured blessings on the commissioner and members of his family, Ukanafun, the state and country at large.
Other persons who spoke including the clan head of Southern Afaha, Chief Sylvester Udom, former member of the House of Assembly, Obong Saturday Akpan, party chairman represented by his vice, Mr Ifiok Sampson, state officer, Obong Nsikak Udoibeh, Akwa Obonganwan Ikwo Udom, Elder J.S.Akpan and Bishop Moswill Umoh lauded Obong Eno Akpan for carrying his people along and pledged to work with him.
Highlights of the ceremony were choral renditions by Church groups, displays by local artistes, ballads, demonstration by brass band, dancing, drinking and feeding.
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