The Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Council on Monday held an elaborate thanksgiving and retirement service in honour of its retiring Director of Finance, Mrs. Mfon Ekanem, in recognition of her years of dedicated service.
The colourful ceremony, held at the Council Hall, Nung Udoe, was themed “A Lifetime of Grace, A Legacy of Worship” and coincided with the council’s Monday praise and worship session tagged “November of Extravagant Worship”.
The event attracted the Executive Chairman, Rt. Hon. Edidiong Inyang; political appointees; management and staff of the council; family members; clergy; and well-wishers.
In his remarks, Rt. Hon. Inyang thanked God for Mrs. Ekanem’s successful career and retirement in good health, describing her as a mother, a woman of God and a person with an exceptionally good heart.
Recounting his over 20-year relationship with the Ekanem family dating back to his days as a youth leader on Ntiedo Street, Uyo, the Chairman said Mr. and Mrs. Cosmos Ekanem offered him support and encouragement while he was striving to establish himself. He described the couple as generous people whose kindness positively impacted many lives.
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He particularly commended Mr. Cosmos Ekanem for being a pillar of support to his wife, especially during challenging moments in her career, and urged people to celebrate those who have positively impacted their lives while they are still alive.
In his response, Mr. Cosmos Ekanem thanked God for his wife’s life, noting that the elaborate celebration came as a pleasant surprise. He appreciated the Chairman, Head of Service and the entire workforce for their support and love.
The celebrant, Mrs. Mfon Ekanem, expressed gratitude to God for His faithfulness and thanked the Chairman and council staff for the honour. As part of her appreciation, she donated plastic chairs to the council fellowship and presented cash gifts to the disability community, the council choir and instrumentalists.
The ceremony featured goodwill messages from various groups. Mrs. Edemeka spoke for the Finance Department, Hon. Mrs. Goodness Emmanuel Obot for the Executive arm, Hon. Ubong Mkpong for the Supervisors, and Hon. Idongesit Micah Eno for the Legislative Council.
Others were the Head of Service, Mr. Godwin Duff; NULGE Vice Chairman, Comrade Godwin Moffat; NULGE Women Leader, Mrs. Elizabeth Jackson; CAN Chairman, Rev. Eno Ikpe; and the disability community led by Mr. Ime Benson.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of gifts and portraits to the retiring director by departments, groups and individuals, including the Executive arm, Finance Department, Legislative Council, Administration Department, NULGE, clergy, PMAN, and aides to the Chairman led by Chief of Staff, Godwin Okon.
Earlier in his exhortation from Ephesians 2:8-9, Rt. Hon. Inyang said God’s grace remains the foundation of human achievements, citing the story of Mephibosheth and King David as examples of divine favour, humility and gratitude.
The service featured ministrations by the Council Choral Group, Invoice Choral International and Rising Voices for Pastor Umo Eno.
In line with his administration’s human capital development drive, the Chairman also presented free National Examinations Council (NECO) forms to students of Ibesikpo Asutan origin and an Executive Coaching Certificate to Mr. Joshua Godwin Okon, whom he sponsored to the National Institute for Sports, Nigeria.
The celebration was not just a farewell to a distinguished public servant but a testament to a career marked by dedication, professionalism and selfless service.
