…Pays Homage to Mkpat Enin Paramount Ruler, Ibiaku Clan Head, Village Heads
The Senator representing Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District yesterday, January 1, 2025, joined his kinsmen and visitors alike to mark this year’s celebration of Ikot Unya Day.
Senator Ekong Sampson who came in company his wife, Mrs. Matina Ekong Sampson, first paid brief visit on the Clan Head of Ibiaku Clan, HRH, Etebom Ime Okon Akpan, at his palace in Minya Nyak. The royal father was already in a meeting with his village heads when the Lawmaker visited.
The ace Assemblyman shared in their concern about the poor state of roads in the sister clans of Ibiaku and Ikpa Ikono, and assured that construction of major link roads across the two clans will be carried out by next year. According to him, some of them roads have been captured in this year’s budget.
He maintained that he counts on their continued support, which he said has been the source of his strength in his senatorial representation.
Responding on behalf of the royal fathers in the palace, the Village Head of Ikot Idiong, Chief Evans Akpanobong, thanked the Senator for the honour shown them by the visit.
Next, Senator Sampson made a visit to the Paramount Ruler of Mkpat Enin, HRM, Edidem Akpan Akpan Ekpene in his palace. There declaring his priority to pay homage to the monarch, even as he was on his way to his home community of Ikot Unya for this year’s get-together of indigenes and other attendees, he gifted the Paramount Ruler with his season’s package.
At the Ikot Unya annual event, which was chaired by the Mkpat Enin Local Government Council Secretary, Hon. Aniedi Ekanem, the Senator expressed delight over the large turn out of invited guests and indigenes alike for their love for him and the community.
While assuring the people of physical amenities, such as tarred roads, solar powered lights, water projects, etc. by next year’s similar event, through his effort and push as function of his representation, he hinted of his gesture of doling out more federal job appointments to the youths of the community.
He had earlier visited the newly installed reticulated solar-powered water project at Ikot Unya village, which water is running and servicing the community.
Speaking earlier, Rt. Hon. Uduak Odudoh, who was represented by his aide, Mr. Gideon Ebong, related about his infrastructural input in the community, including the first phase of his free medical service for the people. He thus made his cash support for the programme.
In their various remarks prior to their cash donations, the Council Secretary, Hon. Aniedi Ekanem, who also stood in for the Council Chairman, Hon. Emmanuel Inyang, and Mr. Emmanuel Jacob corroborated in lauding Senator Ekong Sampson for his quality and impactful representation in the Senate, saying, “we thank our Distinguished Senator for making us, his constituents, proud by his very effective representation in the Senate.”
The high point of the event was the presentation of excellence awards to outstanding indigenes of the community and invited guests.
Recall that Ikot Unya Day is an age-old occasion that has been serving as a platform upon which indigenes of the community and visitors converge on January 1 of every year to celebrate the distinctive existence of the people as a community.
The celebration, which for decades running has been hosted by the Distinguished Senator, himself a son of the soil, has continued to serve as a meeting point of families, friends, associates and loved ones who would have to travel down from far and wide to share in the frenzy of the event.
Also present at the event were: the Mkpat Enin PDP Chapter Chairman, Mr. Isaiah Lawrence, former Mkpat Enin Chapter PDP Publicity Secretary, Hon. Nkereuwem James.
Others were: former Mkpat Enin TC Vice Chairman, Hon. Friday Afia, Ikpa Ikono Ward 2 Councillor, Hon. Sophia Donald Udoekpo, among many others.
