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…As OUYW Celebrates Akwa, Ante, Atainyang Over Leadership, Patriotic Service
As the battle for the actualization of Nigeria’s largest Deep Seaport continues, especially with regards to the location question, the Chairman, Oron Nation Technical Committee on Ibaka Deep Seaport, Engr Okon Nkpubre has been honoured with a Community Service Award.
The Oron Union Youth Wing (OUYW) gave the Award to the revered engineer on Friday, October 15, 2021, at the Oro Civic Centre, during their 2021 annual youth summit with the theme, “Oro, a Nation Endowed with Natural Resources and Potential is in a Tight Corner, Why?”
The former MD/CEO of Niger Dock PLC has been consistent in educating Akwa Ibom citizens on the original concept of the Ibaka Deep Sea Port. The Chairman had secured documentary evidences on the attempt by the government of Akwa Ibom State to relocate the Seaport from the natural Harbour at Ibaka Bay. He severally pointed out that the relocation was occasioned by ‘a fraudulent’ Outline Business Case, OBC, only favouring the option of a Dugout Port to be cited somewhere about 10km away from the natural Harbour.
Recall that Governor Udom Emmanuel on October 1, was quoted as saying that he was never prepared to building a Dugout Port. The governor in a meeting with some stakeholders from Òrò, dismissed the idea of a Dugout Port and offered to expand the State Government’s Technical Committee on the project to accommodate Òro’s interest.
The governor’s sudden confession that no investor could invest in a Dugout port, further gave credence to Nkpubre’s all-time advocacy for a proper implementation of the project. It was on that note that the President of Oron Youth Movement (OYOM), Comrade Victor Mkpofor recently called on the governor to “abandon the fraudulently procured OBC dated 26 May 2014 for the original OBC dated April 2013.”
Speaking with our reporter at the Oro Civic Centre, the President, Òròn Union Youth Wing, Mr Uwe Akan disclosed that the entire youths of the five LGAs of Oro Nation were delighted to have the likes of Engr Nkpubre in the present generation.
Uwe Akan stressed that it was in honour of Engr Nkpubre’s passion and commitment to achieving Ibaka Deep SeaPort that the youths presented him with the Community Service Award.
Uwe Akan encouraged the world-class Engr not to succumb to intimidation or blackmail by the cynics whose only tool was using propaganda to score cheap political goal. Assuring their leader that Oro youths were solidly behind him, Uwe Akan called on Engr Nkpubre to disregard the sponsored lies which were syndicated in the local tabloids to the effect that he was being disowned by Oro People.
Meanwhile, the OUYW also used the occasion to celebrate the exceptional commitments of other Òrò sons who have shown consistency in patriotism to the fatherland. Among these three were the Interim Sole Administrator of Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Mr Effiong Akwa; the President-General of Òròn Union, Bishop Etim Ante and the News Editor of National Newstrack, Mr Joseph Atainyang.
While Mr Effiong Akwa was given the Community Service Award for his unending zeal and superlative commitment towards the development of Oro Youths, Bishop Etim Ante was given the Leadership Award in appreciation for his exemplary Leadership in Akwa Ibom State. Similarly, Joseph Atainyang, a fearless journalist, was given the Community Service Award for his inspiring contributions for the emancipation process of the Oro People.
The event that witnessed a classic Keynote address by the Dean, Students’ Affairs of Akwa Ibom State University, Dr Monday Dickson, also featured the presentation of scholarship awards to 50 tertiary institution students of Òrò Nation by the Sole Administrator of NDDC, Mr Effiong Akwa.
Other dignitaries at the event included the President-General of Òròn Union, Bishop Etim Ante; MD/CEO of Desicon Group, Barr Akan Udofia; the Chairman Obio Ifong Isong Òrò, OIIO and Paramount Ruler of Urue Offong Oruko LGA, HRM Offong Effiong M. Unanaowo; Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG Asuquo Amba (rted); Honourable Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Akwa Ibom State, Rt Hon. Orman Esin; Chairman, Akwa Ibom Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency, Mr Prince Ikim; Ikpoto Okon Osung; Chief Jerry Okpo, Nta-nta Òrò, Barr Bassey Etienam, among many others.
