Address by HC- Local Govt & Chieftaincy Affairs on the swearing-in on Paramount Ruler of Ini LGA

PROTOCOL

Your Excellency, I welcome you, your amiable wife, and all the Distinguished guests to this epoch making occasion of great cultural import.

Your Excellency, with the permission of our traditional fathers, let me convey to you the general mood of the traditional council.

On one hand, they are elated to celebrate another Anniversary of the creation of our dear State. 35years of Unity, peace, prosperity and Progress. 35years as a people deeply rooted in the traditional values of Love, respect and shared responsibility of both burdens and benefits. The traditional council of chiefs and other traditional leaders are joyous in celebrating the new frontiers of development your administration has attained in Akwa Ibom State, which places the State as the new destination for economic development, investment, cultural tourism and business haven.

Your Excellency, on the other hand, the mood of the council is a bit heartsick in realization that your administration has almost come full cycle and this would surely be our last anniversary celebration with you as State Governor. Your Excellency, this feeling is so because the traditional institution will miss an administration that has demonstrated, in words and deeds, its avowed commitment to redefining the status and boosting the image of the Traditional Institution in the State.

The Traditional institution will miss this administration that has accorded so much respect, dignity and reverence to the stool and Institution and places high premium on the well-being of our Royal Fathers.

Your Excellency, today, as the Royal Fathers look behind and look at this befitting state-of-the-art Secretariat/Chambers (with a tastefully furnished residence and guest house for the President-General of the State’s Traditional Rulers’ Council) which you have provided for them. An edifice which measures up with any of its kind in Africa, and which has become the cynosure of all eyes within and outside the State, the Royal Fathers have a renewed appreciation of our progress as a state over the past 35years.

Over the past 7 years, there has been a significant and unparalleled improvement in their welfare packages with the prompt release of their stipends and paraphernalia of office, approved a health insurance fund, Seminars, Summits and Capacity Building Workshops and other incentives to aid in the efficiency of their discharged responsibilities.

Your Excellency, with the permission of our traditional rulers, they convey their gratitude to this Governor Udom Emmanuel administration that had graciously granted recognition to three omitted Clans across the three Senatorial Districts of the State; and accorded Recognition and Certification to over 1,000 Traditional Rulers during the life of this administration.

Just this year alone, you have appended your signature to over 180 Certificates of Recognition. This is a clear and loud demonstration of the value you attach to the Traditional Institution.

Today, we are here for the Swearing-In and Presenting the Staff of Office to the Paramount Ruler-elect of Ini LGA and issuing Certificates of Recognition to some newly recognized Clan Heads.

In celebration of today’s event, we reflect in history the nostalgic feeling for the Traditional Institution in Akwa Ibom State on the 24th of June 2021 when His Excellency, the Governor officially recognized the College of Family Heads (Mbong Ekpuks) by granting approval to them to inaugurate their Forum’s State Exco; an event that was not only important, but has remained a very memorable one for the grassroots Fathers in our society.

It is historic because, this all important Forum of Family Heads, with a membership strength of over ten thousand (10,000) had, for years, doggedly sought the attention and recognition of previous administrations to no avail.

It took the administration of a Governor that appreciates their pivotal role in fast tracking socio-economic, cultural and political development to recognize them.

Your Excellency, the numerous interventions mentioned above and several others , portrays the true feelings of the Traditional Institution as we join you in celebrating our 35 years of existence as a State.

We are, however, encouraged and emboldened by the choice of your successor. We are confident that your successor has the capacity to continue from where you will stop, and this explains why the Traditional Institution, under the capable leadership of His Eminence, Ntenyin (Dr.) Solomon D. Etuk (JP), have resolved to support Pst. Umo Bassey Eno to succeed you as the Governor of Akwa Ibom State come May 29, 2023.

Finally, Your Excellency, in compliance with the Traditional Ruler’s Law of Akwa Ibom State, which stipulates that “for a person to be accorded official recognition as a Paramount Ruler, the same must be sworn-in as a member of the State Traditional Rulers’ Council and presented with a Staff of Office”, I most respectfully present for Swearing-in as Member of the Akwa Ibom State Traditional Ruler’s Council, the Paramount Ruler-elect of Ini Local Government Area, HRM, Edidem Udoette Edon.

With your kind Permission, Your Excellency, before the swearing – in of the Paramount Ruler-elect of Ini LGA., I most respectfully present to you the following newly selected Clan Heads for Certification: –

• HH Etebom Usen Okon Udo, Clan Head-elect of Abak Clan, Abak LGA

• HH Etebom Isidore Jacob Udoinyang, Clan Head-elect of Nto Edino Clan, Obot Akara LGA.

• HH Etebom Ikpe George Okon, Clan-Head-elect of Ikono Clan, Uyo LGA.

• HH Etebom Ime Okarafor Abara, Clan Head-elect of Southern Ukanafun Clan, Ukanafun LGA.

• HH Etebom Etim Akpan Udoekong, Clan Head-elect of Ikpe Annang Clan, Essien Udim LGA.

• HH Etebom Monday Solomon Udo, Clan Head-elect of Ikpe Clan, Ini LGA.

• HH Etebom Okon Udo Ekpo, Clan Head-elect of Ikono Clan, Ikono LGA.

• HH Etebom Xavier Okon Usung, Clan Head-elect of Ibighi Clan, Okobo LGA.

• HH Etebom Offong Oyokunyi Okon Idiokune, Clan Head-elect of Ubodung Clan, Udung Uko LGA.

May the Almighty God to continue to grant His Excellency , Mr Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, the wisdom to discharge his God-given responsibilities to the people of Akwa Ibom State.

Thank You and God bless you all.