Oku Ibom Ibibio, Paramount Rulers Laud Governor Emmanuel On Good Governance

By Edidiong Albert

Akwa Ibom State Council of Chiefs has reiterated its unalloyed support to Governor Udom Gabriel Emmanuel administration in furtherance of his good governance of the state.

The chairman of the council, His Eminence, Ntenyin Solomon Daniel Etuk, who is also the Oku Ibom Ibibio and patriarch of the Ibibio stated this during a familiarisation meeting with the new commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs in the state, Mr Frank Archibong.

Ntenyin Etuk said traditional rulers in the state were happy over the appointment of Archibong as the new commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs.

The premier royal father said as the commissioner is a servant of the state and the eyes of the governor in the ministry, the traditional rulers would readily work with him to achieve peace, unity, progress and development in their respective domains.

He said, “Without doubt, our dear son, Mr Frank Archibong, is a due replacement to the immediate-past commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs, Mr Udo Ekpenyong. It is our expressed delight to the Akwa Ibom State governor for sending you.”

Nteyin Etuk, who is also the paramount ruler of Nsit Ubium noted that Hon. Archibong is an amiable, refined and articulate gentleman who knows exactly what to do in the ministry and congratulated him on his appointment on behalf of his colleagues.

“We are here to receive and congratulate you on your meritorious appointment. We will give you the required support to move the council to a higher level.

“We expect you to effectively collaborate and synergize with your fathers so that you will perform creditably, just as you did as a council chairman of Eket.”

In his response, the commissioner promised to work together with the royal fathers across the state to ensure the implementation of Governor Udom Emmanuel’s Completion Agenda.

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According to him, the royal fathers were critical stakeholders who occupy very sensitive part of “Project Akwa Ibom”, adding that a deliberate execution of their responsibilities with the task of building peace in their domains would boost the daily progress being recorded by the current administration.

Mr  Archibong, who is the immediate past chairman, Eket Local Government Council and state chairman of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), maintained that a great deal of collaboration was required with the traditional rulers to get the ministry up and doing to meet its set objectives.

He implored their utmost cooperation and also commended them for their commitment in the fight against Covid-19 in Akwa Ibom State.

“I seek collaboration from all of you. With collaboration, we shall eschew friction and tension in our various communities. With collaboration, we shall contribute our quota to the success of Governor Udom Emmanuel’s Completion Agenda.

“Truth be told, without the royal fathers, the centre cannot hold. The ministry and the royal fathers must work together. I will be meeting regularly with all of us, especially the Office of the Chairman, Council of Chiefs”, he said.

Also speaking earlier was the paramount ruler of Eket, Edidem E. C. D. Abia, who spoke on behalf of Akwa Ibom South (Eket) Senatorial District, the paramount ruler of Obot Akara, Akuku Uwa Umo Adiaka III on behalf of Akwa Ibom North-West (Ikot Ekpene) Senatorial District and their counterpart from Itu, Edidem Dr Edet Akpan Inyang, who spoke for Akwa Ibom North-East (Uyo) Senatorial District.

The paramount rulers lauded the kind disposition of Frank Archibong in taking care of elders during his tenure in Eket as council chairman, adding that with their prayers, guidance and cooperation; he would perform beyond expectations.

At the meeting were 28 of the 31 paramount rulers in the state including the permanent secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Mbuk Inyang, and the secretary, Akwa Ibom State Council of Chiefs, Mr Emmanuel Umontuen.