A’Ibom community celebrates Ita Enang

Akpan Umoh, Uyo

The Ibiono Ibom people of Akwa Ibom State have rolled out their drums to celebrate and honour their son, Sen. Ita Enang, for attracting several projects to the community.

Enang is a former member of the State House of Assembly, former member House of Representatives, Senator, former Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on the National Assembly (Senate) and former Senior Special Assistant to the President on Niger Delta Affairs.

Speaking at the occasion, the Paramount Ruler of Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area, HRH Okuku Ime Udousoro Inyang, urged all indigenes of the area to emulate Sen. Ita Enang, who has brought several development projects to the area.

Inyang said this at Ikpa Council Hall when Ibiono Ibom people rolled out their drums to celebrate and honour Enang for his contributions to the development of the community.

The paramount ruler said Enang has been a dependable son of Ibiono Ibom, who has singlehandedly brought a federal presence to the local government area and Akwa Ibom in general.

He said Enang over the years has been consistent in ensuring that the state and local government areas have a federal presence.

“He has endeavoured to bring federal presence to Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area. The only federal presence we have here before is the Police.

“He has tried to bring federal presence to us, he brought the Federal Polytechnic, Ukana, he brought the University of Science and Technology to this Akwa Ibom state and now he has brought the Federal College of Education (Innovation) into this LGA.

“We feel we should congratulate him; we feel we have to celebrate and honour him. He has brought light, dam and quite a lot of things to us. He has done his best to Ibiono Ibom and Akwa Ibom state, so we have to honour him.

“I have told him and other politicians not only the politicians but all Ibiono Ibom indigenes to realise one thing and bring something to this community.

“My message to all Ibiono Ibom people is anywhere you find yourself, remember where you come from as we have been neglected for too long,” he said.

In his remarks, a member representing Ibiono Ibom/Itu federal constituency in the House of Representatives Mr Ime Okon described Enang as a blessing to Ibiono Ibom, Akwa Ibom people and Nigeria in general.

Okon said that Enang has been remarkable politician and a worthy ambassador, who has used his wealth of experience to bless others, the community and Akwa Ibom.

The Chairman of Ibiono Ibom LGA, Mr Ekopimo Edet, said that Enang has been one the politicians that have contributed enormously to the unity and prosperity of Nigeria and have attracted life-touching projects to the area.

“We are delighted that his contributions have earned him the respect and admiration of many, particularly his people, hence the grand reception,” he said.

In his response, Enang, who is the former Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Niger Delta Affairs said he was glad to be honoured by his people.

Enang said the honour done him would continue to spur him to do much more for his community, state and country.

“I want to say words cannot express the gratitude I have and the surprise I have for the people of my Local Government Area, my clan and my lineage to hold a ceremony to celebrate me and reload me for more service.

“I want to thank them, today is like my birthday, is like all the cumulative birthdays I have ever celebrated in my life put together.

“So, I want to tell every person wherever you are and commissioned to serve the people, serve them sacrificially.

“Don’t think of the pains, don’t look for gains because they are watching you and in your lifetime if God honours you, as he has honoured me today, they will honour you.

“So, I take it as a great honour, and I take it as a challenge to do more for them. Wherever I find myself at all times, I will be loyal and sacrificial and be very serving to the people of Ibiono Ibom, Itu, Akwa Ibom and Nigeria, ” Enang said.

The high point of the ceremony was the presentation of a gift to Enang by the paramount ruler of Ibiono Ibom, HRH Okuku Ime Udousoro Inyang.