Ikono/Ini people celebrate Glory Edet’s return as Commissioner …Pledge total loyalty to Gov. Udom Emmanuel

DANIEL EKPENYONG

It was a gathering of who-is-who in Ikono and Ini Local Government Areas on Thursday, December 1, 2016 when a unique daughter of that Federal constituency, precisely from Ini, Dr. Glory Edet was sworn-in by Governor Udom Emmanuel as Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare for the third time since she came on board during the twilight years of Chief Godswill Akpabio’s administration.

The gathering for the reception ceremony which took place at Eseme Essien Events Centre, off Edet Akpan Avenue, featured solidarity messages from political associates of the 3-time Commissioner, stalwarts of the Peoples Democratic Party  (PDP) Ini Chapter, family, friends, admirers as well as women and youth groups from the area.

Speaking at the occasion, the Pioneer Chairman of Ini L.G.A and former Chief Whip of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Chief Ukata Akpan praised Governor Udom Emmanuel for recognizing the invaluable role played by Ini people in the emergence of the present PDP administration in the state.

He said appointing Dr. Glory Edet for a record third time as a member of the State Executive Council in addition to the on-going road construction projects in Ini is a demonstration of the governor’s good-heartedness and benevolence. Chief Ukata therefore assured the governor of a total backing by the Ini people come 2019 when the Governor will be seeking a second term.

The incumbent Chief Whip of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, another worthy son of Ini, Hon Emmanuel Ekpenyong in his message at the occasion, appreciated Governor Udom Emmanuel for not listening to the ill advise of Dr. Glory Edet’s detractors but choosing to align with the overall wish of the good people of the area who said it would be either Glory Edet or no one else. Hon Ekpenyong who gave glory to God in songs, charged the appointee as well as the entire people of the area to continue to support the PDP and the Udom Emmanuel’s administration for, according to him, “the best thing to come from the governor to the people of  Ini is yet to come”. 

Also speaking the Caretaker Chairman of Ini L.G.A., Elder Israel Idaisin, JP noted that the reappointment of Dr. Glory Edet by Governor Udom Emmanuel was nothing short of the will of God and so he called on people who are bent on fighting a “grace-bearer to have a rethink as nobody ever succeeds in fighting the will of God. He concluded by saying that “Dr. Glory Edet is a bearer of the grace of God and no one can succeed in fighting her”.

The Caretaker Chairman of Ikono, Mr. Itoro Columba while addressing the crowd of well-wishers, supporters and friends of the commissioner described Dr. Glory Edet as a record-beaker and a pace-setter, saying that in the history of the two Local Government Areas of Ikono and Ini, no one had ever had the providence of being sworn-in three times as commissioner. He said, being one blessed by God, Dr. Glory Edet will continue to shine and dazzle her detractors and enemies of Ikono/Ini, noting that “when the grace and blessing of God is upon a person, such a person becomes invincible against his enemies”. 

The quintessential broadcaster-turned politician who declared that no one can successfully fight the will of God for the people of Ikono and Ini as embodied in the person of Dr. Glory Edet, made an appeal to their Ini brothers to also allow their Ikono siblings access to the commissioner whom he stressed was given to the two LGAs. 

Ini PDP Chapter Chairman expressed happiness at the appointment of Dr. Glory Edet and prayed God Almighty to bless the governor and his wife for being so kind to Ini people and reiterated the commitment of the people to the course of the PDP and to return the governor to the office for a second term in 2019.

In her own expression of solidarity, Mr. Cecilia Inyang, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs described Dr. Glory Edet as “a workaholic” and “a giver” whose one month absence from the Ministry had created a big vacuum that was difficult to fill. She said she was particularly happy that Dr. Edet whom she had enjoyed a working relationship with was reappointed to serve in the Women Affairs Ministry.

Mrs. Inyang noted that one of the reasons why the governor re-appointed the former Uniuyo Lecturer was that the commissioner knows how to get good results in her line of duties.

Pastor Emmanuel Umoh who concluded the gathering with a powerful prayer, said, in an interview with the press, that Dr. Glory Edet has no equal in terms of humility, kindness, devotion to God as well as excellent service delivery, noting that such were the qualities that pleased God to return her to continue helping the poor, widows, orphans and the physically challenged in the state.

Others who graced the occasion in solidarity with the grace-bearing commissioner included the immediate past commissioner for Special Duties, Engr. Etido Inyang. Prof. Maria Ikorok, Prof. Ndaeyo of Uniuyo, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Lands and Town Planning, wife of the Speakers of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Dr. Uduak Onofiok Luke and a host of others.