2015: DAY ETTEH RECEIVED FAMILY, VILLAGE’S BLESSING Upenekang, the Headquarters of Ibeno Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, was in a carnival mood on Saturday, August 30, 2015, when one of their sons, the Leader of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Okpolupm Etteh, visited home in a blaze of glory. That was not his first time home. In fact, as their representative in the House of Assembly, Etteh has always visited home to consult with his constituents. But that Saturday’s visit was different in so many ways. As one of the frontline aspirants to the office of Governor of Akwa Ibom State in 2015, Etteh had gone to officially inform his immediate family and village that he was joining the race. He was also there to receive their blessings. Though he said he was on a private visit to his family and village town council, the visit turned out a public show. Arriving Upenekang in a convoy of few cars carrying few friends and associates, Etteh was received by the Vice Chairman of Ibeno Local Government Council, Mrs Esther Michael and Council Secretary, Barrister Kingsley Mfon together with the Chapter Chairman of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Ekoakwaha Etteh, who led other local government officials, Councillors, Supervisory Councillors and Chapter party officials, to join him to visit his family house. Receiving Etteh on behalf of his Ekpuk Essien Nse Eko, the Village Head of Upenekang, who is incidentally from the family, Obong Joseph Eshiett, said a welcome prayer in his Palace before walking with him a short distance to the family hall. Members of the Essien Nse Eko, which is further subdivided into Usung Nse Akpanuluo; Usung Nse Asukpa; Usung Nne Enyieokpon; Usung Eshiett Okon and Usung Nse Ichulo were already seated. With a thunderous ovation, they ushered him into the hall. Obong Udo John Okon, Obong Ndarake Eshiett, Obong Ukan Asukpa Ulaeto, Obong Ulaetor Ulaetor, Obong Nkparawa Eshiet Okon, Obong David Samuel Eshiet, Obong Enyiekpan Eshiet led other family members of the five Usung (Quarters) of Essien Nse Eko family to receive Etteh. Presenting Etteh to the family, Hon. Ekoakwaha Etteh said the lawmaker was not a new face at home. He said their brother was also not a new face in the state and assured them that as their brother “has not failed us before, he will not fail us in his next political journey.” In the few minutes he spoke,Rt Hon Etteh had to punctuate his speech on several occasion due to the deafening ovation and good side commentaries that came from his family members. Starting with a song, “Ubok Utom Abasi Ayaya,” Etteh said he was God’s work, a David who is ready with his string to face the Goliaths of the 2015 Governorship race in the state. Although he promised his family care and attention, he said he will be a Governor to all and sundry in the state and will make the family proud by being a performing Governor, if he gets there. He said it was necessary to visit the family to get their clearance and blessing after he had got from God. Obong Eshiett finally led family members to pray and release him with the word: “Go and Win.” The crowd had increased when he got to the Upenekang Town Hall. Most of his supporters in the neighbouring villages and even in the neighbouring local government areas of Eket and Esit Eket had heard of his triumphal entry into Upenekang and came along. It was a hard time for the Village Head-in-Council to control the large crowd, which were offered the privileges to enter the Town Hall. The Village Head, Obong Joseph Eshiett, with President of the Town Union, the Vice President, the Secretary, other family Heads of the other Essiens that make up Upenekang and Council members, received Etteh, who told them he needed their clearance and blessings before going to the party. He said he will ensure a peaceful and prosperous Akwa Ibom if, by the grace of God, he becomes Governor in 2015. According to him, “I am a man of grace, a man of unmerited favour. I am someone that Akwa Ibom needs to remain united and prosperous. I say this because many people are contesting on the plank of tribal affiliation. So, they are already coming with the mind to oppress or counter perceived past oppressions on their so called people. I am from Ibeno, what people call minority of the minorities. Do not let this worry you. Israel remains the smallest nation in the Middle East but you can see that they remain the apple of God’s eye. Christianity in this our part of the world started in Ibeno before it went out. The first boarding Primary School in the then Eastern Nigeria started here. We are harbingers of light. We will light up Akwa Ibom with peace, with development and with progress.” He said he was confident that he is the type of person Akwa Ibom needs at this time because “though I am from this village, Upenekang in Ibeno Local Government Area of Eket Senatorial District, I am more Akwa Ibom than any other person. My mother is from Obio Itak in Ikono, the acclaimed Ntippe Ibibio. My 88 years old grandmother, who is still alive, is from Obio Offot in Uyo Local Government Area of Uyo Senatorial District. My wife, Mrs. Ekaete Etteh, is from Utu Etim Ekpo in Etim Ekpo Local Government Area of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District. So, I am the one who will unite every segment of the state for us to live as brothers and face issues of development, peace, and progress squarely.” The Village Head later led Chiefs and Town Council members of Upenekang Town Council to pray for, bless and released Etteh to join the race with an assurance of their continued prayer and support. Before then the PDP Chapter Chairman, Hon. Ekoakwaha Etteh, the Vice President of the Town Council, who is also a PDP Ward Chairman in the area and a political stakeholder in the area, Deacon William Usen, and a political stakeholder in the area, Obong Charles Ukoete, had spoken glowingly of their son, asking the people to support his ambition.
Posted on: Mon, 01 Sep 2014 06:24:55 +0000
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