Newsfront Online …Telling the Public as it is
In a bid to support the Dakkadda Initiative initiated by the state Chief Executive, the Political leader of Ikono Local Government Area, Obong Emmanuel Ukpong-Udo has doled out about six brand new cars to indigenes of Akwa Ibom State.
The beneficiaries who cut across Ikono and Ikot Ekpene Local Government Areas of the state include; Hon. Idorenyin Effiong, a youth activist in Ikono Local Government Area, Hon. Emem Nwup, a former Legislative leader in the Cradle of Ibibio nation, Mr. Samuel Usua, a PDP executive member of ward eight in Ikono, Kufre Isong, a native of Uruk Usoh in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area and Mr. Donald Bassey, an indigene of Ikono Local Government Area. Our Reporter who gate crashed into the car presentation ceremony disclosed that, brands of the vehicles donated range from Toyota Corolla, Vento and Siena products.
Presenting the donation, the political leader, who was represented by the Chairman of Ward Chairmen in Ikono Chapter of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, Hon. Joseph Okon, described the gesture as a means of keying into the Dakkadda Initiative of the present administration, noting that, the vehicles will aid in ameliorating the plight of the beneficiaries.
Okon, who was accompanied to the epoch making event by the Chairman of Macaire Assembly, Elder Emem Ekanem described the recipients as distinguished entrepreneurs, who have made indelible marks on their various businesses, noting that, with the donation, their entrepreneurial job will be easier.
The PDP Chieftain said that, the gesture will be in batches, disclosing that, already, the Ikono Political leader has sponsored more than fifty Akwa Ibom youths in Catering, cake making and other small scale businesses, executed by the Special Assistant to the Governor on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
He stressed that, more than thirty Akwa Ibomites have benefitted from the Small Scale Business Take off grant, executed by the political leader, thereby, enumerating Hon. Jonathan Umana, the immediate past Ikono Ward 10 councilor, and also a former Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly contender as one of the beneficiaries.
“These cars are given to people with reliable source of livelihood; it is not for idle members of the society. We carefully selected these four, so as to ameliorate the plight of their businesses and also give them a sense of belonging in the society. Via this gesture, it is our prayer that, their various businesses will wax stronger and stronger.
“Donation of Cars, provision of Employment opportunities, giving and putting smiles on the faces of people are integral parts of our political leader. No one, not even Obong Emmanuel Ukpong-Udo can count the exact number of cars he has donated to Akwa Ibomites, nor be able to take stock of the people he has employed in Oil and Gas industry, he is a philanthropist par excellent, thus, we are so lucky to share this planet with him.
“He had already sponsored more than fifty people in small scale businesses, gave take off grant to about thirty, including Hon. Jonathan Umana. Today, he has dimmed it fit to key into the Dakadda Initiative of the governor, by providing four gigantic cars to Ikono people and beyond. This is commendable, I want to urge the beneficiaries to make proper use of the vehicles and arise to the fate of their destinies. “This is not the first, nor the last, the gesture will come in batches and it will take different forms. Our women, youths, elders, children will be empowered for a greater Akwa Ibom.” He promised.
Responding, one of the receivers, Mr. Donald Bassey, portrayed the gesture as uncommon, thanking the political leader for giving hope to the hopeless in the society. He viewed Obong Emmanuel Ukpong-Udo as a man who has stabilized and reinstalled peace in the polity of Ikono People and commended the leadership of Peoples Democratic Party, for appointing him as the political leader of the area. “When the righteous is on the throne, the people rejoice. Our Political leader is one man who has brought relative peace to the Cradle of Ibibio land; he has served as a breach across the divides and has help in integrating all the political factions into the Peoples Democratic Party.
“You may be surprised to hear that, even members of Labour Party, Accord and other political Parties in Ikono address and accept him as their political leader. This is because, of his level headed and dynamic pattern of administration. He plays no-dirty-kind-of-politics. “Despite the volumes of renowned technocrats, businessmen and political heavy weights Ikono had, I can authoritatively say that, we never have it so good, until Obong Macaire came on board and changed the dynamism of the political situations in the area.
“Today, we are entitled to peace, hope and a future. One thing that surprises me most is that, our leader is poised to emulate and key into the policies of the present administration. This is one of those policies he has embraced. I wish to thank him for cueing behind our amiable governor and for making my business easier with the car donation. I wish to put on record that, I together with my co-beneficiaries will justify the gesture bestowed on us” He pledged.
In a telephone chat with this reporter, the political leader said that, the event was part of his ways of putting smiles on the faces of people, pointing out that, givers never lack. The political leader, fondly called Macaire, due to his caring and philanthropist gestures, said he drew his strength from the scripture, “He who gives to the poor lend to God” said that, though the event was not meant for publication, it was his little contribution to the Dakkadda initiative of the governor.
“You Journalists can investigate! Anyway, the event was not meant for publication. That is why I didn’t bother to invite public office holders. It was my little way of contributing to the initiative of the governor as well as obeys the scripture which says that, he who gives to the poor, lend to God. “As long as I live, I shall continually put smiles on the faces of my people and also ensure that Ikono People support in totality the administration of the executive governor of the state.
“Ikono is for PDP and PDP is the creed of Ikono People. Very soon, you will witness mass defection of other political party members into PDP. We are intact. I don’t intend to talk much on the car donation; it is just my contribution to the Dakkadda initiative of Governor Udom Gabriel Emmanuel.” He said.
