It is no longer news that the Governor, His Excellency, Mr Udom Emmanuel, is neck bent on keeping track with the peace that he has so far engendered in the state.
With the emergence of Maintain Peace Movement (MPM), and the underlying message of maintaining the subsisting peace that is being enjoyed in the state, the Governor has sent strong signals that the journey towards 2023 had long commenced, though for me, that is a discuss for another day, since this article is not intended at making comments about 2023.
Truth is, peace is ultimately a panacea for lasting development as asserted by the Member Representing Etim Ekpo/Ika State Constituency, Elder Mfon Idung, during the arrival of the State Steering Committee of MPM in Etim Ekpo over the weekend.
The need for peace, unity and development that is sustained is one that has continually been reverberating throughout the state as the Maintain Peace Movement train traverses the length and breadth of Akwa Ibom State.
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Arriving the shores of Etim Ekpo over the weekend, the cardinal message was the same, peace, peace and more peace. It has become absolutely imperative that this message of sustainable peace be preached because it is on the hindsight of peace that development and industrialization has been seen littered everywhere in Akwa Ibom State.
It can also be deduced that, considering its formation, body language, form and structure, Maintain Peace Movement would be taking up the top job and task of helping the Governor produce his successor in 2023.
The former political group which was known as Divine Mandate would be completing its mandate by 2023, hence the Chairman, State Steering Committee, MPM, Barr. Emmanuel Enoidem announced that, Maintain Peace Movement became a child of necessity following the expected end of Divine Mandate in 2023, which had “Only God” as its slogan.
“As the Divine Mandate is completing its agenda, there is the need to maintain peace and the benefits of this present administration. MPM is a essentially a movement that will start at the end of the Completion Agenda. Divine Mandate has its Completion Agenda, and as it completes its agenda, there is the need to do something else, which is Maintain Peace Movement, towards consolidating on the peace, growth and industrial renaissance that is currently prevalent in the State. MPM is a grassroots mobilization movement that is geared towards preparing the state for a future that will guarantee peace, prosperity and sustainable growth,” Barr. Enoidem reiterated.
In Etim Ekpo, the mouthpiece of the Governor, himself the National Legal Adviser of the People’s Democratic Party, Barr. Emmanuel Enoidem, emptied the bag by clearly detonating the “bomb” of Maintain Peace Movement.
While inaugurating the Etim Ekpo chapter of MPM at the Council Secretariat, Utu Etim Ekpo, Barr. Enoidem said, the formation of MPM became necessary given the need to consolidate on the achievements recorded by the Governor Udom Emmanuel led – administration in the state.
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In furtherance of his remarks, the chairman, State Steering Committee, MPM, Barr. Enoidem, thanked the people of Etim Ekpo for their steadfastness with the PDP and sued for their continuous support in going forward, assuring them of better times ahead.
Inaugurating Etim Ekpo chapter, Barr. Enoidem, tasked the Leadership of the Movement to put up structures at the ward levels, in order to trickle down the message of peace maintenance to the grassroots.
The immediate past Board Member of Akwa Ibom State Roads and other Infrastructural Maintenance Agency, AKROIMA, Deacon Uduot Jack emerged the chapter Coordinator of MPM, Etim Ekpo chapter.
In his acceptance speech, the Coordinator Maintain Peace Movement, Etim Ekpo chapter, Deacon Uduot Jack, thanked the Governor and the Chairman, State Steering Committee of Maintain Peace Movement, Barr. Emmanuel Enoidem, for the confidence reposed in him to serve as the chapter coordinator and in the leadership cadre of the MPM in Etim Ekpo.
He pledged the loyalty and commitment of the movement in Etim Ekpo towards the realization of its core mandates and objectives. Remarking that, Etim Ekpo has always operated a formidable leadership led by Barr. Enoidem and that with him at the frontburner of MPM, Etim Ekpo will deliver remarkably.
Deacon Uduot Jack maintained that over the years, Etim Ekpo has always played the politics of one singular ideology, which he referred to as ” Political Snowballism”, an ideology that puts the entire Etim Ekpo on one straight line, adding that, this time around would not be an exception, “because as soon as directive is received, it will snowball and permeate the nooks and crannies of Etim Ekpo,” he added.
Members of the Steering Committee of the Movement in Etim Ekpo included: Hon. Uduot Jack, coordinator; Barr. Mbetobong Okpongette, Secretary; Hon. Mfon Idung, Member; Dr. Imo Moffat, Member; Hon. Imeh Affia, Member; Hon. Aniekan Dan, Member; Mr. Eseme Udoka, Member; Hon. Nyeti Eno Eyo, Member; Pastor Joyce Samuel Udoh, Member and Mr Usenmfon Ibanga, Member.
Others include: Mrs Choice Lazarus, Member; Mrs Magdalene Udom, Member; Mr Gideon Uwa, Youth Representative; Mrs Alice Jerry Ntong, Women Representative; Enobong Udokang, Youth Council Chairman; Ndifreke Moffat, Youth Caucus Chairman; Dr. Emmanuel Ukpong, Special Adviser; Barr. Nse Ekanem, Special Adviser; Hon. Udeme Eduo, Special Adviser and Mr Felix Udofia, Special Adviser.
Present to grace the event were; Members of the State Steering Committee, MPM, House of Assembly Members, Commissioners, SAs to the Governor, Etim Ekpo Political Stakeholders, Women groups and Youth groups.