Nse Essien bags chieftaincy title

BY EMMANUEL AKPAN

The Deputy Chief Whip and member representing ONNA State  Constituency in Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Otuekong (Hon.) Nse Essien, was on Friday, 23rd December, 2016, honoured with a chieftaincy title of “Obong Uwana of Ikot Akpan Nko” by kinsmen of his community, Ikot Akpan Nko village.

The ceremony which was the first of its kind in the history of Ikot Akpan Nko, took place at the village square. The event which featured cultural displays from different groups within and outside the community attracted royal fathers from the community, friends from political class, speaker of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Barr. Onofok Luke, colleagues from the House of Assembly and well wishers who turned out en-mass to celebrate with Otuekong Nse Essien.  

Presenting the award to the Deputy Chief Whip of Akwa Ibom State Assembly, Otuekong Nse Essien, the village head of Ikot Akpan Nko, Eteidung Imo Essien described Hon. Nse Essein as a politician who has the interest of the community at heart and lauded him for his effective representation in the House of Assembly.

The village head, who was represented by the Secretary, Ikot Akpan Nko village council, Chief Uko Essien, said the day was set aside to honour one of their sons for the first time as well as conferred on him a chieftaincy title of “Obong Uwana” of the community following his effective representation in the AKHA. He said the community was proud of Otuekong  Nse Essien’s robust representation, adding that it is his time that the community has been carried along in the scheme of things in government. He described the lawmaker as man of substance who has made the community an enviable one.

According to the village, “Nse Essien has made us in his style of representation and has touched the lives of our people that is why we are honouring him today with a chieftaincy title.” 

Shortly after receiving the award, Otuekong Nse Essien in his response expressed gratitude to his kinsmen for finding him worthy and fit for the chieftaincy title. He said he was very delighted to be the first person to be honoured by the village council. “I am happy today to be honoured by my people.”           

He used the opportunity to preach politics of inclusiveness and human development, saying that his representation has kept faith with the people of Ikot Akpan Nko in particular and ONNA in general and appealed to the people to reciprocate with their support.

He hinted that major roads linking the village with other villages would be constructed next year, courtesy of his effort to bring dividend of democracy to his people as well as making the people feel the impact of the present administration of Governor Udom Emmanuel.  

 He assured the people of his community that Governor Udom Emmanuel has their interest at heart, while adding that with all that the governor has done so far in ONNA, the people of the area will stand by him in 2019 to ensure that he is re-elected for a second term.

He however, thanked the people for their support, adding that the people will benefit more from government even as he urged youths of the community that he is always ready to send those willing to go to school to further their studies and those willing to be train in different fileds of handwork of their choice in other to have a good and equip leaders of tomorrow from the community.
“I cannot be a star alone, so my people must be ready. I am going to donate 1 million naira for the training of our children.”

In his goodwill message, the speaker of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Barr. Onofok Luke described Otuekong Nse Essien as a good friend, a colleague loved by everybody as well as a strong force in the House of Assembly. He thanked God for the achievements of the ONNA representative so far in the village, ONNA Local Government Area and the State in general. “I am happy that you have honour Nse Essien today. This will spur him to do more for the community.”

Speaker Onofiok Luke commended Ikot Akpan Nko people for their support for Deacon Udom Emmanuel led administration and call on them to continue to show support so that more developmental projects will come into the community.

High point of the ceremony was the official conferment of the chieftaincy title award by the village council of Ikot Akpan Nko on Otuekong Nse Essien as Obong Uwana of the community.

Among his colleagues who graced the ceremony were: the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Felicia Bassey, Hon. Ime Okon, member Ibiono, Hon. Aniefiok Dennis, member Etinan, Hon. Friday Iwok, Member Abak, Hon. Aniekan Uko, Member Ibesikpo Asutan, Hon. Uduak Odudoh, Member Ikot Abasi/Eastern Obolo, Hon. Monday Eyo, Member Uyo and Hon. Asuquo Archibong, Member Orueffong/Oruko.