It was another season of celebration last Saturday at the premises of Rtd
Deputy Inspector General of Police, UdomEkpoudom as members of his
Clan and Village gathered to receive gifts ranging from Motorcycles,Wra
ppers andfood items from him.
The gathering which was attended by prominent citizens of Etim Ekpo
Local Government Area had in attendance, business moguls, political and
religious leaders and educationists from the area including the 10 Ward
Chairmen in the local government area.
While16 people smiled home with new motorcycles, the widows got items
like Rice, Meat and Wrappers from the Rtd DIG and wife.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, Bishop Ahaisaiah Umana
commended Udom Ekpoudom and wife for their consistent generosity in
giving to their people at all times. He described Ekpoudom as a man
having the fear of God in him as a guiding principle; recalling that he
prayed for the Rtd Officer when he began his Police career and also
intimated him of his imminent goodwill when he was to be promoted.
Bishop Umana thanked Ekpoudom for heeding his advicenot to forget his
peoplewhile in service and on retirement and advised the beneficiaries of
the items to handle them with care so that they will enjoy using them for a
long time. He admonished them not to rough-handle the motorcycle they
have received adding that the journey of a thousand mile starts with a
step.
In his speech, the Rtd DIG said that the gathering was not a new thing to
him and his wife. He maintained that before the advent of free education in
the State, he had been givingscholarship to over 50 indigenous students
yearly and that while in the Police service, he gave employment to many
people in the Police Force and other places; adding that the Motorcycles
have been a regular gift to his people courtesy of his family.
The Retired Officer, whilecommending Tower of Ivory School for helping to
generate employment for his people; saidthat his benevolent acts are not
for political purposes or for the contest of any election though, he is
qualified to contest any elective position in the country. He disclosed that
when the political war was heated in 2011 after his retirement, his people
called him to honour him but he told them to transfer their love for him to
the Governor and support his second term ambition if they so love him. He
noted that he was however surprised to hear people blackmail him by
saying he had started campaigning for Senate when he laid the foundation
for the construction of Etim Ekpo Traditional Rulers Council Secretariat
when all he had in mind was to redeem the initial promise he made to his
people.
He further expressed that the money he is using forempowerment is his
personal sacrifice andfamily savings which is unaffiliated to the
government’s money and called on Etim Ekpo people to continue in their
support for the Governor till 2015; stressing that Etim Ekpo people will only
support who they know in 2015 and not a stranger who does not know
them either.
Also speaking, the wife of the Rtd DIG, Mrs. Dorathy Ekpoudom described
the day as their own Christmas where they invited everyone in the area to
celebrate with them. She thanked the people for coming out within a short
notice and pledged her continuous support for the women of Etim Ekpo.
Hon. MfonIdung, Bishop Enomfon Akpan, Engr. AkanimoEdet, Barr
Christopher Okorie and Hon. Ini Okopido who spoke at intervals described
Udom Ekpoudomas a perfect example of a giver whose kind has never
been seen or heard of in Etim Ekpo. They noted that it was rare for an
individual to consistently engage in giving to his people without any
political intention and expressed that this show of love is the best way of
relating with people; adding that when there is love, people can feel each
other’s impact. They therefore called on the people to continue in their
prayers and support of their senior; attesting that God kept them at the
head so that they will be a source of blessing others.
They prayed God’s blessings on Ekpoudom’s family and called on others
to emulate the examples of the Rtd DIG by giving to the less privileged in
their own capacity, while advising parents to encourage their children to go
to school so that they can be of meaning to the society.
Responding to the Officer’s gesture, one of the beneficiaries of the
Motorcycle, Mr. Ubong Inokon thanked the DIG and his family for always
caring for their welfare by helping those in need to stand strong. He noted
that Ekpoudom has demonstrated that he is a true leader of the people
who does not think of himself and family alone but the betterment of his
people as well. He also prayed God to replenish the family’s pocket and
bless them accordingly.
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