By
Joseph Atainyang
The
Governor of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency Deacon Udom Gabriel Emmanuel has
confessed to the Chambers of Family Heads in the State, acknowledging their
support and his confidence in them which is one of the reasons he is prospering
in his leadership strides.
The
Governor made the declaration Thursday when he met them during their executive
meeting at Atim Atakpo Street, Uyo.
Governor
Udom Emmanuel who appeared in proxy through the Commissioner for Local
Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Udo Ekpenyong noted that family heads
were royal fathers, his (the Governor's) fathers whom he has to recognize.
Noting
that their sacrifices, especially during the election period, were useful for
his emergence as Governor, Udom Emmanuel said his visit was to show his
humility and respect for them and assured of his resolve to carry them along in
the scheme of things.
Hear
him, "You are all my fathers. I came here today to see how serious you
are. I have seen you and I know that you are serious. I am here because the
Governor believes in you. If he doesn't believe in you, he won't send me. I am
here to represent the Governor. As you have seen me, you have seen him because
he sent me to see you on his behalf. The government is interested in you. We
are happy with you. We will not look down on you.
"The
sensitization starts from your homes where you must preach PDP and Udom
Emmanuel to your people. No one can be a village head without being a family
head. No clan head can emerge without still being a family head. And no
paramount ruler exists who is not a family head. So, your position is very
strategic in the affairs of society.
"The
Governor sent me to tell you that he has recognized you. Udom cannot do without
you. You have done it before, you will do it again. I would have asked you to
come to my office. But I have come here to show you respect. The Governor is
humble and he will not disappoint you."
Speaking
on behalf of the State Executives and Members of the body, the State Chairman,
Etebom Archibong Edem Akpan observed that the group served as traditional
fathers from where people were selected to become village heads, clan heads and
paramount rulers.
According
to him, the Akwa Ibom State Chambers of Family Heads is made up of 34 State
Executives, 18 Chapter Excos in each of the 31 local government areas which
results to 539 in the whole state. He stressed that 9,350 family heads exist in
the whole State, aside the fore-given statistics.
Archibong
Akpan recalled their agony, especially in their declaration of November 2014 in
support of the Governor but regretted that they were sidelined by the former
administration and the State Chairman of the ruling Party.
Promising
their unalloyed support to the government, the Chairman who maintained that
they were up and ready to sacrifice their service in support of the Udom led
government to make sure it succeeds, called on government's attention over
their plight and requested that they be accorded Certificate of Recognition.
"We
stood our grounds on 27 November 2014 declaring our support for Udom, not
minding the risks. We need Certificate of Recognition, if nothing else. We have
been playing PDP from inception and we shall continue to play PDP. We shall
stand our ground in support of PDP and Deacon Udom Emmanuel," he stated
More pictures here....
More pictures here....
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