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The Secretary to the Government of Akwa Ibom State, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem has been appointed the Chairman, Council of Elders of Oron Union, the apex socio-cultural organisation for Oro Nation.
The President – General of Oron Union,Bishop Etim Ante announced the appointment over the weekend when he led members of the Central Executive Committee of the union on a courtesy visit to Ekuwem at the Government House,Uyo.
He said the appointment of Ekuwem was in recognition of his numerous contributions to the growth of the union and thanked him for “always being such a great support system.”
Ante described the SSG as a great Oro patriot, pathfinder and renowned leader and listed his support to the union to include giving scholarship to deserving Oro 
indigenes, among other numerous assistance.
While praying God to guide Ekuwem to succeed in his assignment to the union, Bishop Ante recalled his contributions as Patron 1 of the Lagos Branch of the union, stating that the Branch remains a fulcrum of the union.
He said the elders council,as provided by the constitution of the 97 years old socio- cultural organization, is a backbone of the union.
The Upbeat Newspaper gathered that functions of the Elders Council of Oron Union include; to offer advice and avail the union of their past experiences on Oro affairs,to offer advice to the union on social,cultural and traditional matters, as well as advise the union on all other issues of general interest to Oro Nation.
The President – General lamented the state of insecurity both in the “hinterland and on the water ways of Oro,” and appealed to government to “provide more security vans to the Police, especially in Oron urban and at least additional five gun boats for naval surveillance in our waterways to ensure safety of lives and property.”
According to him, “it appears the joint operations team seem to prioritize the anti-smuggling operation over and above the general maintenance of law and order in Oro,” expressing the hope that they will be “encouraged to change this strategy.”
“Oro has become the flashpoint of piracy and kidnapping in Akwa Ibom State.There is a raging high rate of kidnapping and killings in Oro, especially in Akanobio(Oron town).Sea piracy has adversely affected Oro’s traditional economy of fishing as there is persistent cases of seizure of fishing equipment like boats and outboard engine in our waterways,leading to the skyrocketed prices of seafood even in Oro.Similarly,traveling to Calabar by water has become the riskiest adventure one can contemplate,” he lamented.
Bishop Ante listed some of the achievements recorded by his administration to include attraction of educational grants from the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and other well meaning individuals to over 200 Oro students studying in higher institutions across the country,attraction of major infrastructure,like the building and equipping of the Ahta Oro Palace,conference centre and fencing by the NDDC,inauguration of “a high – powered scholarship board led by Dame Umoh Ekanem,” explaining that the board has been mandated to create a lifelong template for Oro’s scholarship to consolidate on the efforts of “our progenitors in this regard.”
According to the President – General, the training and certification of over 500 Oro sons and daughters in computer appreciation,has called for a need for a functional ICT centre in Oro.
Responding, Ekuwem,who holds a chieftaincy title of “Akpaha Oro,” (pillar of Oro) thanked the Oron Union for finding him fit for the appointment as Chairman,Elders Council.
Ekuwem, who pledged his continued support to the union,reminded the Central Executive Committee of the core mandate of the union, which he said was human capacity development and urged them to up the ante.
