Former A’Ibom SSG urges youths not to discourage investors

Anietie Esu/Emmanuel Ntekim

The immediate past Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government, Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem, has urged the youth of Uda Community, not to be an instrument of illegality to disrupt activities at the Ibom Industrial City in Uda and Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

Ekuwem said this in his remarks in Ibaka as Father of the Day at the inauguration of the new Executive of Uda Community Youth Development Organisation (UCYDO), the apex youth body in Uda, Mbo LGA.

He explained that many people “Do not understand what Ibom Industrial City is. The city is about Uda community although some parts extend to Enwang and Effiat in Mbo, 80 per cent of the city is in Uda.

“This is one of the motivating reasons why I am here to urge you (Uda youth) and to take advantage of the projects through your readiness to be peaceful and organised, or you lose out in the opportunities.”

The former SSG, who advised the youth to prepare and be ready for the work of Ibom Industrial City, added that Samsung industry in South Korea’s investment in Ibaka maritime shores is worth $1.4 billion.

According to him, money is coward and does not go where there is insecurity; money can only stay where there is relative peace, not in a place where there is disarray, hostility and violence.

Ekuwem, who expressed his delight on the inaugural speech of the president, Uda Community Youth Development Organisation, Deacon Daniel Udombo about the youth eagerness to partner with investors, create enabling peaceful environment, proclaimed that the development coming to Mbo and Oro Nation through Uda, is enormous. 

The former SSG, reminded the youths and the people of Mbo, the speech of the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno during the flagged off of the dualized road in Mbo.

He stressed the need of the youth to be competent in the knowledge of maritime industry to key into the industrial evolution of the Akwa Ibom State in Mbo.

In his remarks, the former President General, Oron Union, Mr (Chief) Asuquo Inuikim, who notified the youth that development love peaceful ambience, admonished the youth to seek peace among themselves, and the entire community at large.

“God has enable you to come together in unity and have new youth executive, I want your cooperation with the investors of various projects like Ibom Solutions Hub in Ibaka, for them to come in and dwell in a peaceful environment”, Chief Inuikim insisted

Also speaking, the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Uda Community Youth Development Organisation, Chief (Barr.) Edet Atada, expressed his gratefulness to God Almighty for the successful transition of governance from his tenure as a pioneer president of Uda youth, to the present. 

Chief Atada counselled the president to carry all the youths of the community along in scheme of things, work with all youth presidents of villages in Uda, Mbo, Oro nation, and Akwa Ibom in general for peaceful coexistence.

He urged the youth to behave responsibly, while urging the new president and his Exco to work together in consultation, saying their tenure will be applauded on the amount of peace and development brought to Uda people. 

Earlier, the Chairman of the Occasion: Mr. Bassey Ediette, who is the CEO of B-Flux Nig Ltd, pleaded with the elders to be more open to the youth, be accommodating and show dexterity in their doing to be copied by the youth.

Ediette, while encouraging the youths to be humble, expressed confidence that the new executive of Uda youths will bring peace and development to Uda community.

Thanking the immediate past President Of Uda Youth, Comrade Edward Moses for the successful tenure, Ediette also urged the former president to extend his wealth of experience to the new executive of Uda youth.

In his inaugural speech, the President, Uda Community Youth Development Organisation (UCYDO), Deacon Daniel Udombo thanked the stakeholders, Chiefs, Elders of Uda, and the BoT chairman of the organisation for their sacrifices in ensuring the smooth transition of Uda Youth Organization. 

Udombo, while seeking their continuous support, pledged to work tirelessly to build a more progressive and unified Uda.

“We will work on the already established synergy with the Nigeria Police Force and all other security agencies to combat crime and make Uda more peaceful and habitable for future investors”, he defended.

He assured that his leadership will mend and heal the youths in the community, give hands to the traditional fathers, elders and women to feature in the activities effectively. 

“We shall defend our histories, norms and traditions, boundaries and every essence that makes us Uda, and defend from all forms of criminalities”, he added.

The event had in attendance Honorary Special Adviser to the Governor, Prince Chris Abasieyo; Paramount Ruler of Mbo Local Government Area, HRM Ogwong Okon Abang, represented by the Village Head of Amkprang Uda, Chief Okon Abang; Uda Council of Chiefs; Transition Chairman of Mbo local government council, Mr Sunday Etim; former and serving president of ESSU NLAP Oro, Ulap (Chief) Asukwo Enweme (aka Levile) and Ulap Brightsolution Unoh.

Others were the President, Oron Youth Movement (OYOM), Mr Edet Eyo; businessmen and women in Oro nation, DPO and security operatives in Mbo, among others.

The inaugurated officers who will pilot the affairs of Uda youth for the next four years are Deacon Daniel Udombo as President; Samuel Efanga as Vice President and Comrade Anietie Esu, Secretary General.

Others are David Sunday, Treasurer; Daniel Etim, Financial Secretary; Esther Boniface, Director of Women Affairs; Daniel Inyang, Welfare Officer; Emmanuel Usoh, Auditor; Israel Abia, Public Relations Officer and Peter Nkereuwem as well as Anietie Ekpima as Director of Socials and Provost respectively.