*Ibiono Ibom confers chieftaincy titles on deserving indigenes
By; PATRICK TITUS, Uyo
Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel has urged the elite
Governor Emmanuel gave the charge while speaking at the End-of-the Year Get-together and Award of Chieftaincy Titles to deserving sons of Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area of the state.
At the event, held at the Palace of the Paramount Ruler of Ibiono Ibiono Ibom, His Royal Majesty, Okuku Ime Udousoro Inyang, the governor said that when God helps people to rise in life to greater heights, that they ought to look back and make the impacts of God’s blessings on them be felt in their villages.
Governor Emmanuel, represented by the Commissioner for Works and Fire Service, Professor Eno Ibanga poured encomiums on the Paramount Ruler for setting out a time annually to give due recognition to Ibiono Ibom people who have contributed to the development of their areas, adding that it wass good for communities to also show appreciation to men and women who have created an impact.
“I bring to you the warm regards of His Excellency, Governor Udom Emmanuel who has asked me to represent him in this event as he attends to other matters that requires his attention.
‘I also bring the message of peace and unity to Ibiono Ibom because it is only God that enthrones people to leadership positions so we need to maintain peace while God does his work.
“I congratulate the people who have been conferred with Chieftaincy Titles, as appreciation for their outstanding contributions in human capacity development and other community services in their various communities. This is a two-way activity, you make your community feel your impact and they give you recognition in return”.
Speaking further, he said, “This is necessary because when we are done with all the positions and achievements, we might go back there to the village and people will ask questions”.
He concluded by charging recipients of various chieftaincy titles to see the honour as a call for more impactful services to their birthplace.
Earlier, the paramount ruler of Ibiono Ibom local government area, HRM Okuku Ime Udousoro Inyang said that for many years ago, the traditional rulers of the Council had not honoured anyone with a chieftaincy title due to covid-19 concerns and the need to ensure that the honour was not made an all-comers affair, adding that the personal profiles and records of community services of the chosen awardees reflect that they are deserving of the honour done on them.
In his words, “Give honour to who honour is due is a truism that cannot be ignored”, and as such the advisory council declared that a few numbers of their sons be honoured this year.
Speaking further he said “their respective citations would show and convince you that they are fit and proper persons to be honoured. Their achievements, prominence, and their nearness to Ibiono Ibom community is the reason for today’s gathering”.
Chieftaincy Titles were given to four deserving sons of Ibiono Ibom at the event.
Speaking on behalf of the awardees, the Chief Executive Officer of Westgate Group of Companies, Mr Churchill Udo who hails from Ikot Edok, Mbiabong clan in Ibiono Ibom, who was awarded the traditional title of ‘Isantim Ibiono’ expressed his appreciation to the state government for the peace enjoyed in Akwa Ibom State.
Mr Churchill further thanked the Paramount Ruler for conferring on him the traditional title of Isantim Ibiono, saying that the gesture would spur him to do more for the people of the area, knowing that people are watching him and appreciative of his efforts.
“To show that I am very happy by this gesture today, I will be adding ten (10) Ibiono Ibom indigenes annually to my Tertiary Education Scholarships list. So every year 10 students who are studying in public tertiary institutions will be awarded scholarships by WestGate Group of Companies”.
The people that were conferred with various chieftaincy titles were; Prof. Essien Antia-obong, Obong Emmanuel Udofia Ekpa, Prof Halo Eton and Mr Churchill Tom Udoh.
