…as Council Boss emerges Grand Patron
By Ime Silas
The Transition Chairman, Etinan Local Government Council, Hon. Uko Umoh has reiterated his resolve to reposition the entire local government area for an all-round development, noting that where there’s a political will, progress was possible.
Hon. Uko who stated this on Friday at his country home in Ikot Akpabio while playing host to the Forum of Village Youth Leaders in Etinan LGA, also charged them to key into the ARISE Agenda of His Excellency, Gov. Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State.
Speaking, the Council Boss who was unanimously endorsed and adopted by the visiting Youth Leaders as sole Chairmanship Candidate for the forthcoming Council polls, thanked them for appreciating his efforts in the last six months as Transition Chairman.
“I had other meetings I would have attended but I suspended all of that in order to be with you fully because of the regard and respect I have for you”, Uko Umoh said.
He continued “Let me first of all thank the Almighty God for His grace and the governor of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno for the opportunity he has afforded me to lead Etinan people in this capacity as Transition Chairman.
Earnestly, I must confess that these last few months have opened my eyes to see that where there is a political will and a prepared leader, development at the grassroots is possible. By God’s grace, I have done more than what I thought could be done within the short period and I believe that if I am elected as substantive Chairman, I will do more.
I believe that you would assume positions of leadership at different capacities in this Local Government and you would do more than I have done. But, for now, we must build a solid foundation for an all-round progress and development of our people and the entire Etinan Local Government Area”.
Earlier in his speech, President-General of the Village Youth Leaders Forum, Etinan LGA, Mr. Donald Donald who is also the Youth Leader for Ikot Abasi No.1 said they were at the LG Chairman’s home to appreciate him for his good works and to adopt him as their sole Chairmanship candidate.
While recounting how the Chairman saved the life of one of them, Iniodu Akaka who was critically ill by paying his hospital bill amongst other gestures of the council boss, the Youth Leader pledged, on behalf of his colleagues to reciprocate by campaigning across the sixty-four villages to ensure his emergence as substantive Chairman in the forthcoming local government election.
Goodwill messages were presented at the occasion by a former Council Chairman for Etinan, Obong Donald Uko who is also the Political Leader, Northern Iman Ward II.
Others who spoke included a former PDP Chapter Chairman; Elder Gabriel Akpan, former Council Secretary; Obong Emmanuel Titus and a host of others.
Also present at the event were the Chief of Staff to the Chairman; Pastor Ubong Inyang, former Council Vice Chairman, Hon. Frank Attah, SA on Youth to the Chairman; Hon. Item Etuk amongst others.
Highpoints of the occasion were the symbolic decoration of the Chairman as Grand Patron of the Village Youth Leaders Forum and his adoption as sole Chairmanship Candidate.