Gov Eno Restates Commitment To A Peaceful, United A’Ibom State

Governor Umo Eno has restated his promise to ensure a peaceful and united state despite deliberate attempts by warmongers to create crisis and division.

The governor warned those fanning the embers of disunity to desist forthwith and called on traditional rulers to cooperate with the government to institute peace and unity, as expected of their revered positions.

These were contained in the remarks of the Akwa Ibom State Governor while addressing congregants at Global Evangelical and Missionary Church of All Nations, Oron, during the Thanksgiving Service in honour of the Paramount Ruler of Udung Uko and Chairman, Akwa Ibom State Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM Odidem Bassey Etim Edet JP, on Sunday.

He urged the traditional fathers not to allow politicians to meddle in their affairs or hijack the institution, stressing that the traditional institution is a revered one with men of wisdom and integrity.

The Governor enjoined the royal fathers to uphold their honour and use their office to maintain peace and cohesion in the state, rather than drag the image of the revered institution into disrepute by allowing themselves to be used as agents of division.

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He said, “The state is one. Every Akwa Ibom man, whether Oron, Annang, or Ibibio, is one. Who are you going to fight?  Probably you are married to an Ibibio woman, or you are married to an Annang man, or you have grandchildren there. We have come very far as a people and must not allow politicians to divide this state along ethnic lines.”

He said though his administration had no hand in the seeming discontent in the traditional institution, he was determined to resolve the issue as part of his efforts to harmonise all the fabrics of the state but stressed the need for the cooperation of the concerned parties.

In his words, “This problem, I didn’t create it. We must understand that it was the traditional rulers who created this problem. I am here to work with you to ensure that we have an amicable solution, but we won’t do it through confrontation.”

Governor Eno commended Odidem Bassey for acknowledging God’s hand in his emergence as chairman of the revered institution and prayed for grace to enable him to accomplish the onerous task placed on his shoulders.

He noted that his decision to attend the event, against all odds, underscored the high esteem he accords the traditional institution, congratulated the royal father, and joined him to celebrate God’s grace upon his life.

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The celebrator,  Odidem Bassey Etim Edet, in his thanksgiving speech, expressed gratitude to God for his life, family, community, the state, and for his elevation through the ladders to the exalted stool of the Akwa Ibom State Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers.

He appreciated the Governor and his entourage, the President General of Akwa Ibom State Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers, Ntenyin Solomon Etuk, CFR, and his entourage of Paramount Rulers, friends, and well wishes for joining him at the event.

The Odidem added his voice to the call for unity by calling on members of the traditional institution to join forces for the progress of the state and embrace peaceful means of resolving issues rather than being confrontational, which tends to undermine constituted authorities.

Delivering a sermon at the event on “Thanksgiving,” the Presiding Bishop Kaiso Okpo highlighted four major expressions that a grateful person must always have on his lips: “Thank you, I am sorry, please, and God bless you,” adding that the quartet portrays peace, love, and gratitude and should be habitually cultivated by Christians.