2024 New Year Message: Oku Ibom Ibibio Offers Blessings For A More Prosperous Akwa Ibom, Nation

The Oku Ibom Ibibio and President General of Akwa Ibom State Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers, His Eminence, Ntenyin (Dr.) Solomon Daniel Etuk, JP, CFR, has offered royal blessings for a more prosperous and peaceful Akwa Ibom and the Nigerian nation in 2024 and beyond.

In a New Year message, the Patriarch of the Ibibio people worldwide was quite optimistic that “with the help of God and the commitment and selflessness of leaders in various positions of authority, 2024 is bound to be remarkable with the accomplishment of realistic progress, development, and well-being for the people.”

Ntenyin Etuk offered immense thanks to the Almighty God for the peace, unity, and tranquillity experienced in Akwa Ibom State in the past year and for successfully taking Nigeria through the February/March 2023 general elections and other elections conducted thereafter in some states.

He emphasized the need for people to place God first in all their activities and to confess God faithfully and righteously as the source of all good things in life.

Alarmed by uncharitable vituperations often expressed by some persons against one another, the royal father advised people, particularly those in authority to control their tongues from making vexatious statements that would cause disaffection in the state or against one another.

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The Monarch, who is the paramount ruler of Nsit Ubium Local Government Area and a member of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN), appealed to indigenes of Akwa Ibom and residents alike to love one another and abide peacefully.

According to him, it is always possible to witness development and tranquillity in any society where there is a prevalence of love, unity, and tolerance at all times.

While commending the state government under the administration of Pastor Umo Bassey Eno for floating a well-thought-out development blueprint, the ARISE Agenda, the monarch tasked other leaders at all levels to emulate the laudable example of the state governor to impact lives and society at large.

He particularly called on politicians to give maximum support to Governor Umo Eno-led administration to ensure the speedy accomplishment of his programmes for the state.

“Today, it is the turn of Governor Umo Bassey Eno. Let us all join hands to enable him to succeed. Remember the Golden rule to do unto others what you want to be done to you (Matthew 7:12). Tomorrow, it will be the turn of anyone and the same measure of support will follow.

“Please let all Akwa Ibomites tow the path of peace. Let peace reign supreme in Akwa Ibom State. We should be conscious of the fact that all evil doings attract God’s punishment,” he advised.

“On behalf of the traditional rulers in Akwa Ibom State, I offer gratitude to the Almighty God for taking us through 2023 and making us live to see 2024, which we earnestly prayed for. Without a doubt, the goodness of God has been enormous in our lives, and we have to always offer gratitude.

“I am quite optimistic that if we live right and do all that we are supposed to do well, we will have a bountiful year in 2024. As a state that God has blessed with enormous natural and human resources, I pray for a more prosperous and peaceful New Year.

“I sincerely believe that with the help of God and the commitment and selflessness of leaders in various positions of authority, 2024 is bound to be remarkable with the accomplishment of realistic progress, development, and well-being for the people,” he said.

The Oku Ibom Ibibio, who is the Chancellor of Akwa Ibom State University, specifically tasked politicians, especially those elected to represent the people, to be conscientious in service with the electoral mandate given to them and to know that such is a privilege and not a right.

“I want to appeal to our elected representatives to serve with good conscience. No matter how exalted your position is, you remain a servant of the people, not their master. Impact on the lives of your constituents and create memorable legacies for your tenure to be remembered,” he added.

He again charged persons in positions of authority, whether private or public, from the local government areas, states, and federal levels, to be compassionate and self-sacrificing in serving the people with the fear of God at all times, knowing that God will surely hold every leader accountable for his or her deeds while in office.

The President General of AKSCOTR reiterated the commitment of traditional rulers to collaborate with local and state governments as well as all federal agencies to maintain peace, harmony, and security in their respective domains.