We Have Lost In Ekpenyong, A Dependable Pillar – Governor Emmanuel, PDP
Governor Udom Emmanuel has described the Late Akwa Ibom State PDP Chairman, Obong Udo Ekpenyong as a man who was strong in his convictions, doing all that was proper, right and noble unwaveringly, as well as a loyal lieutenant and dependable partyman.
Speaking at the funeral service in honour of the deceased at his Ikot Oku Usung country home, Gov. Emmanuel said the moment, though difficult to bear, was a testimony to the people’s love for the Late Udo Ekpenyong.
The governor recalled the days of Ekpenyong in public service, saying that the deceased had served his administration admirably as the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and helped to translate the vision of mutual engagements with traditional rulers in the task of ensuring that government policies and programmes trickled down to the masses.
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“We are rooted in love for a man who was a walking vessel of loyalty, dependability, trust and faith in institutions of governance and its defining symbols.
“I had come to see in Obong Udo Ekpenyong a formidable ally, a man whose words meant everything; a man of sterling principles and integrity, deep in faith and deep in convictions, a man who, once he was committed to standing with you, will remain unshaken”, Governor Emmanuel said.
He maintained that although Ekpenyong may be physically gone, but the memories of his good deeds, his admirable character, convictions, integrity, loyalty and faith in God will remain.
In a goodwill message, the National Chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, represented by the National Secretary, Sen. Umaru Ibrahim Tsauri, described the death of Udo Ekpenyong as a great loss to the PDP family, to the state and the nation at large.
Prince Secondus further commiserated with the family of late Udo Ekpenyong over the painful exit of a confidante and a formidable pillar whom he said will be greatly missed, praying God to give the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
“As for the national working committee, we have lost a formidable pillar, a pillar that supported the PDP at the center. We have lost a fortune. We commiserate with the family of Udo Ekpenyong and the good people of Akwa Ibom State”, Secondus said.
Delivering a homily at the event, Pastor Ita Ukana Ekpenyong of the Delightful Christian Church International, Uyo, admonished the people not live on assumptions.
Drawing from the lessons in the story of Sampson who, in Judges 16:20, assumed God was still with him when he was no more, said any other assumption could be pardonable, but that the most expensive was to assume having the presence of God when it has actually left.
The cleric said the dead is done and gone but that the living who still have an opportunity to appraise their lives and make amends should endeavour to retain the presence of God and not make the mistakes of Sampson.
