Ikono Council Boss Urges Continued Support for Gov. Eno in Keeping Akwa Ibom Safe
The Chairman of the Transition Committee of the Ikono Local Government Council, Hon. Kingsley Akpan, has commended the Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Waheed Ayilara, for adopting a bottom-top approach to policing the state.
The chairman is also tasking the commissioner to work assiduously to keep Akwa Ibom a haven for investment and habitation in line with Gov. Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda.
Hon. Akpan stated this Thursday, when the Commissioner of Police paid him a working visit in his office before proceeding to a Town Hall meeting with strategic stakeholders in the area held at Ikono Divisional Police Headquarters, Ibiaku Ntok Okpo.
“Continue to support our governor, Pastor Umo Eno, to achieve all that he needs to achieve in the area of security. It is pertinent to note that security is everyone’s business.
“We’ll do everything possible to support the Nigerian police here in Ikono. We’ve always been supportive,” Hon. Akpan assured.
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He also reiterated his administration’s commitment to sustaining the relative peace enjoyed in the area.
“Under our leadership, Ikono has remained relatively peaceful. This is because we have made it a culture of constantly engaging with all critical stakeholders in the area.
“Our DPO has been very proactive and responsive to issues, and by the grace of God, we will continue to do our best to keep Ikono peaceful,” the council boss assured.
Addressing the chairman and the people of the area, the state commissioner of police, Waheed Ayilara, said he decided to visit all the local government areas by himself to preach the need for everyone to join hands with the security agencies in keeping their communities safe and crime-free.
The Police Chief, who described traditional rulers and the local government councils as strategic partners in the fight against crime, urged them to live above board and act within the confines of law.
“The police under my watch are here to serve the good people of Akwa Ibom State as public servants, not as your master,” he added.
He further explained that since the problems experienced in one community vary from what’s obtainable in another, it became necessary for him to enlist the support of all critical stakeholders in policing the state.
“I can stay in Uyo and give instructions, ‘DPO Ikono, do this or do that, but my instructions may be wrong because I don’t know the terrain and the problems of the people,” CP Ayilara stated.
He also restated his commitment to ensuring that Akwa Ibom remains the most peaceful state in the country, averring that “when there’s peace, investors will come.”.
At the Town Hall meeting, the Political Leader of Ikono, Sir Sunday Udo Akpan, PCRC Chairman, Ikono Chapter, Elder Effiong Etok, President, Forum of Village Youths Presidents, Ikono Chapter, Comrade Isaac Akpan, the women folk, etc. all presented goodwill messages and demands.
Among the dignitaries that graced the occasion were Prof. Augustine Umoh, Commissioner for Health; Barr. John John Akpan, Vice Chairman, Ikono Transition Committee; Hon. Udeme Obot, Secretary, Ikono Transition Committee; Elder Uduak Udiong, HOS Ikono LGA; HRM Edidem Etim Nnana Itang, Paramount Ruler of Ikono, represented by the Clan Head of Ediene, Okuku Udo Ben; the Police hierarchy in the state; members of the Transition Committee; and other dignitaries.
