Prince Ntukudeh Proffers Roadmap For Atai Uyo’s Unity, Progress
Prince Godwin Ntukudeh, Chairman, Akwa Ibom State Road & Other Infrastructure Maintenance Agency (AKROIMA), has proffered unity, meritocracy, equity, patriotism and sincerity as keys for the redemption of the Atai Uyo – a bloc of the four local government areas of Uyo, Nsit Atai, Uruan and Ibesikpo Asutan, which were under the old Uyo Local Government Area.
Making this known when executive members of Atai Uyo Peoples Forum (AUPF) paid a consultative visit to him in Uyo, the Uruan born business mogul and politician said the task is very daunting but doable.
Prince Ntukudeh said a combination of factors triggered the seeming relegation of Atai Uyo to political and socioeconomic irrelevance, and called on members of the forum to drive the advocacy with the tenets of inclusiveness, doggedness and brotherhood.
Still harping on the importance of a united sense of purpose in the forum, Ntukudeh, a former Commissioner for Transport in the state, advised: “You must be consistent in your togetherness so that at the end of the day, they would say there exist Atai Uyo People’s Forum, a forum of eminent, sincere and committed people.”
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Describing the advocacy as a wonderful dream, he prayed that “God should bring people to support the cause and see the need because without Atai Uyo rising up to take up their rightful position in the comity of politics and decision making, there is no way for us.”
He further highlighted that nature had conferred a headship role on Atai Uyo in terms of population, abundant human and natural resources as well as location of the state capital.
Drawing instances from his personal experiences in the Atai Uyo and Ibibio struggle, Dr. Ntukudeh warned the group to expect fierce opposition from individuals, groups and even spiritual forces who want to keep Atai Uyo eternally incapacitated.
He also hinted that those opposing the advocacy could resort to luring and deceiving members to work against the forum.
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“Darkness does not want light, that is why you should be totally committed and prayerful. It is doable. When it is done, you can never go without a reward,” he added.
Speaking further, he suggested that for the redemption of the bloc to fully take effect, Atai Uyo and the entire Akwa Ibom State have to immortalize the late Chief Effiong Okon Eyo (Eyo Uyo), a foremost activist and champion for the creation of the state: “nothing is working until we go back and do the right thing. A person like Eyo Uko must be accorded proper respect. How did he die? How was he buried? Look at Awolowo, how did he die and buried? Azikiwe, under what circumstances did he die and buried? Compare that to Eyo Uyo.”
He pledged unalloyed support to the forum in executing set objectives.
Earlier in his speech, President General of the forum, Hon. Anthony Asikpo, said the visit takes into account Prince Ntukudeh’s enviable status as a noble stakeholder in Atai Uyo, noting that his contributions to the state are enormous.
“You are a man of great innovations and always very bold on issues,” Asikpo declared.
Hon. Asikpo broached to the AKROIMA Chairman, plans by the forum to offer scholarship to indigent students in the four local government areas, facilitate empowerment and skills development for youths and women.
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He equally stressed that heroes like the late Chief Effiong Okon Eyo and Obong Nyong Essien should be accorded due respect even in death.
He concluded saying, “we wish to reiterate that we are passionately committed to the cause we have undertaken and with the full cooperation of stakeholders, we will certainly succeed in championing the cause of Atai Uyo.”
Vice President of AUPF, Rt. Hon. Tony Essien, in a vote of thanks, appreciated Ntukudeh for pledging support for the forum and his wealth of knowledge of the Atai Uyo struggle.
Essien assured Prince Ntukudeh that the group has hope and interest in him, and would always support his aspirations.
Other members of the Atai Uyo delegation were Dr. Roberta Edem, Obonganwan Aniedi Udofia, Obong Killian Thompson, Obonganwan Mfon Udoukpo, Barr. Godwin Bassey James, Hon. Nathaniel Sebastian Udoh, Elder Patrick Albert, Alexander Akpanumo, Chief Fabian Emmanuel and Hon. Elder Nsikak Okon.
Others were Hon. Effiong Okon Ufe, Elder Ini Umoren, Kokoette Raymond Okokon, Hon. Prince Anthony Michael, Etubom David Jackson and Comrade Ubong Mkpong.
