Paramount Ruler Admonishes New Village Head

The people of Ikot Akpaden community in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area, have been commended for their sense of civility and adherence to the tenets of peaceful coexistence during the lengthy period of being without a village head.

They have also been told that surviving that stressful period without resorting to violence, but living as brothers and sisters, is an indication that their town is a place after God’s heart and worthy of emulation by other communities. These remarks were contained in an address by the Paramount Ruler of Mkpat Enin Local Government Area, HRM Edidem (Elder) Akpan Akpan Ekpene, during the official presentation of the Certificate of Recognition to Chief Ufot Dick Amah, the new village head of Ikot Akpaden in Ikpa Ibom Clan, in the Traditional Rulers Council Chamber at the headquarters of the Local Government.

Edidem Akpan Ekpene, who was assisted by the Secretary of the Traditional Rulers Council, Mr. Ubon John Effiong, in administering the Oaths of Office and Allegiance on Chief Ufot Amah, thanked the State Government for finally facilitating the resolution of issues that confronted the town.

He congratulated Chief Amah for being found worthy to assume the throne of his fore-fathers and urged him to listen to the advice of his wife in whatever step he intends to take, adding that he should do all in his power to reach out to those who opposed him in his selection. Edidem Ekpene admonished the new village head to stay away from criminal cases, which he said should be handed over to the police, but to preside over civil matters; to guard against seizure of farmlands from the poor; to protect the community from robbers and cultists; safeguard government installations within his domain; run an administration based on truth and openness as doing so will attract cooperation from all; to take God into confidence and to remember that as a university community, his domain’s image must be protected.

In company of the Paramount Ruler was the Clan Head of Ukpum Minya, Etebom Archibong James Umanah and that of Ibiaku, Etebom Ime Okon Ekong who both felicitated Chief Ufot Amah and urged him not to expect everyone to like him but to administer his people with the fear of God.

In his response in the Council Chambers and later in the village hall at Ikot Akpaden, the Village Head thanked God, the Akwa Ibom State Government, the Paramount Ruler and the people for the confidence reposed in him. He commended the chairman and members of the Village Council who administered the community before he ascended the throne, saying that inspite of all that he went through, he haboured no hard feelings.

Chief Amah called for cooperation, love and unity for which the town is noted, and said that reconciliation will be top on his agenda, adding that as a university community, he will expect everyone to join hands in keeping the environment safe and clean.

In his vote of thanks, the erstwhile chairman of the village council, Mr. Mfon Jimmy Ufot, expressed gratitude to God for the absence of violence in the community when he held forte, saying that crises benefits no body. He congratulated Chief Amah and assured him of the cooperation of everyone in the village, saying that the people were easy to govern.