Elderly Citizens Group Visits Council Of Chiefs, Install Oku Ibom Ibibio As Life Patron
The Akwa Ibom Elderly Citizens Assembly (AKECA) has appointed the Oku Ibom Ibibio and Chairman Akwa Ibom State Council of Chiefs, His Eminence, Ntenyin (Dr.) Solomon Daniel Etuk as its Life Patron.
The ceremony took place during the group’s visit to the Akwa Ibom State Council of Chiefs Chambers, Thursday, September 9, 2021.
Ntenyin Etuk, who is also the Chancellor of Akwa Ibom State University, was presented with an appointment letter and a membership certificate in accordance with the constitution of the Elderly Citizens Group.
The President AKECA, Obong Ememobong Essien, in his speech, stated that the purpose of the visit was to present the Elderly Citizens Assembly to the leadership and entire body of the traditional rulers’ council.
Obong Essien said that AKECA was founded in 2014 for the elderly in Akwa Ibom State and across the federation to cater for the welfare of the aging population of 60 years and above.
While highlighting some achievements of AKECA since its creation, Obong Essien brought to mind the need to remember the late Obong Effiong Okon Eyo, popularly known as ‘Eyo Uyo‘ and equally presented a book on him to the Council of Chiefs.
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“Permit me to use this opportunity to mention my personal cry for certain persons in history to be remembered…the late Eyo Uyo (Obong Effiong Okon Eyo).”
“I contributed enormously towards the production of Eyo Uyo and the challenge of leadership written by the Late Etubom (Dr.) Effiong Eberefiak. I now present 27 copies of the book to Ifim Ibom Ibibio to read and take appropriate notice of the great man, Eyo Uyo – the Obong Ikpaisong Ibibio ye Annang.”
The group also advocated for the commemoration of late General Philip Effiong, a one-time Vice President of the defunct Federal Republic of Biafra.
AKECA implored the Oku Ibom Ibibio to use his assist them to get a land from the State Government for the building of the Elderly Citizens Centre.
“We have completed designs for a multi-purpose Elderly Citizens Centre in Akwa Ibom State and are currently canvassing for land to fund and construct the facility which will provide an arena for all elderly people to interact.”
Other areas of concerns included the reduction in marriage requirements by parents and an end to exorbitant cost of burial in the State, hoping that a law can be enacted on issues by the Akwa Ibom State House Assembly.
Related: Ibesikpo Asutan Paramount Ruler Wants Immortalization Of Late Eyo Uyo
In his response, His Eminence, Ntenyin (Dr.) Solomon Etuk thanked the Akwa Ibom Elderly Council Assembly for their visit.
The premier royal father in the State assured AKECA of his commitment to ensure that all their concerns are met with favorable results.
“I salute you for this initiative, to pull all the elderly people together to care for them. I’m sure my colleagues here would want to be members of this revered group.
“All the requests you have made here, I have taken notes. Soonest within the month, we will meet again and we shall discuss line by line what you have presented today.”
