Tributes to late Pst. Ufon George

BY CHARLES SOLOMON

“Death be not proud, though some have called thee mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so…”      John Donne.

Life, like a coin, has two sides.  There are  on one side people who are living for the moment, concerned with mainly satisfying the needs, desires and wants of everyday life.  There are on the other side, those who live or history, endeavouring to see that they make laudable and appreciable imprints in their chosen career for the benefit of their community and humanity.

Those who came in contact with Late Pastor Ufon Gibbson George would agree that as long as there is memory, the Late George will continue to remain in their hearts.  And that explains why that poem by John Donne is apt.  this is because to live in the hearts of people we leave behind is not to die.

Therein lies the reason Akwa Ibomites from all walks of life have continued to pay tributes to the late academic, clergy and politician who was until his sudden demise, the vice chairman of Etinan Local Government Area and a deputy registrar at the Uyo City Polytechnic, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

In a statement issued by the Akwa Ibom Consolidation Alliance (ACA) and signed by its president Hon. Andrew Uwanta, the group described the Late Pastor George as an erudite scholar an active politician and a prolific journalist.  “For a man of Late Pastor George’s status who had impacted his family and immediate environment positively, his sudden demise will surely leave a vacuum that will be difficult to fill”, the statement said.

The Akwa Ibom State chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Obong Paul Ekpo in his own tribute on behalf of the state chapter of the party stated that the life of the Late Ufon George was characterized by the striking features of hardwork, discipline and excellence.  He also noted that Pastor George was a man of humility and always adding value to any organization he served in.

“The Late Hon. (Pst.) George lived a live that was loved and respected by his people whether in church or in the community.  His integrity largely accounted for the influence he widely enjoyed.  His imprint of great strides in philanthropy will not be easily erased from the memories of those who benefitted from it”, Obong Paul Ekpo said.

Also reacting to Ufon George’s death, Hon. Item Etuk, the Leader of the Etinan Legislative council, expressed shock at his untimely exit, describing him as a bridge builder and a team player who always stood for the betterment of the Iman people.  “Ufon George was a very submissive gentleman and a team player in all ramifications.  He was a peacemaker and a bridge builder.  He was a dogged politician, he was truth personified and above all, he was a defender of the voiceless”, Etuk said.

Mrs. Idara Aquaisua, the Registrar of the Uyo City Polytechnic, where the deceased served as a deputy registrar before his demise, stated that the institution shall forever miss the Late Pastor George for his untiring and selfless contributions to the growth of the school, adding that his demise has created a vacuum in the institution.

“The management, staff and students of Uyo City Polytechnic do in their extreme sadness, register deep condolement with the family of Hon. (Pst.) Ufon Gibbson George over the exit of this gem.”

“Truly, Uyo City Polytechnic shall forever miss you for your untiring contributions and selfless sacrifices to the growth of the institution.  Your demise has left us with a vacuum.”

“Hon. Ufon George whether it’s an ordinary sickness that knocked you down or you were cut down by the design of man, we hear your exclamation: “O thou Brutus, even thou…”

“Howbeit, there is nothing covered that shall not be revealed.  With time and as the Lord liveth, the mystern behind your ignoble end shall in tune with the diving will be unearthed”, she said.

For Ikot Nte village in Etinan Local Government Area where the deceased hailed from, his departure is not only shocking but it is also a deadly blow which has left the entire village in a state of coma. 

In their tribute signed by Sir Joseph Udombat, the Late Ufon George was the man who gave them the hope to believe that “a village hitherto obscured, neglected, forgotten and completely devoid of any amenities in this 21st century Nigeria with abundant resources and orchestrated dividend of democracy will soon come to limelight.”  He was the pivot around which the village could obtain goodness as his first name “UFON” translates.

Late Hon. (Pst.) Ufon Gibbson George was born on November 5, 1959.  He passed on the great beyond on October 12, 2014 and was buried on December 19, 2014 at his hometown, Ikot Nte in Etinan Local Government Area.  He was until his demise, the Secretary Board of Trustees of Word Bride Global Mission, Executive Vice Chairman Etinan Local Government Area, Deputy Registrar, Uyo City Polytechnic, member, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), member, Advertising Practitioners of Nigeria (APCON), Fellow, Institute ofIndustrial Administration (FIIA) and a Fellow of the International Association of World Peace Advocates.