50th Anniversary of Enwang Development Union: Enwang people arise to the faith of rebirth
By Moses Tom
History has taken place in Enwang, the headquarters of Mbo Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State. It is the Golden Jubilee celebration of the establishment of the Enwang Development Union, EDU.
In 1970 some illustrious indigens of Enwang led by Late Sir Etim Inyang formed Enwang Development Association ( EDA ) but in 1971 the name was changed from Enwang Development Association (EDA ) to Enwang Development Union (EDU ).
Recently, one of the surviving founding fathers of EDU, Chief Etim Mfon, bared his mind with the representatives of Enwang Leaders of Thought (ELOT) who paid him a courtesy visit at Calabar Residence.
Today, EDU has become the pivot for communal development, aspirations and hope of the people of Enwang, one of the group of villages inhabiting the Mbo littoral called Effiat Mbo.
Today, 50 years down the line, the people of Eyukut, Eyefai, Ubotuong, Ekiebong, Ukoakpan, Uba, Eyudombo, Ibete, Ibot Ikot and Udingi, have rolled out their drums to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of ‘Ngha EDU’, the Union that has been on the forefront of the development and modernisation of the community.
The event is midwived by Enwang Leaders of Thought, ELOT, in conjunction with Enwang Development Union and Enwang Council of Chiefs.
According to a statement from Enwang Leaders of Thought and signed by Engr. Ita Awak, “we are going to roll out the drums and make this anniversary to be a 4-day-packed activity.””
The highlights of activities marking the historic anniversary include an Interdenominational Solemn Assembly slated for Wednesday, 22nd December, 2021at the Methodist School, Enwang.
On Thursday, 23rd December, 2021, there will be Talents Display and colourful Cultural Plays from various villages.
Friday, 24th December, 2021 will witness EDU Golden Jubilee Anniversary procession across the main streets of the community, starting from 11:00 am
The event will climax on Monday, 27th December, 2021with EDU Day and Reunion Party at Enwang Town Hall.
“On behalf of the Enwang Leaders of Thought, I wish to happily inform and kindly invite all Enwang sons and daughters from near and far and all our well-wishers to the 50th Birthday Anniversary of our ENWANG DEVELOPMENT UNION, aka, Ngha EDU.
“The Enwang Leaders of Thought, on behalf of the Enwang Development Union, EDU, looks forward to the happy Reunion of Enwang people and the epochal regeneration or that unconquerable spirit that is Enwang,” Engr. Ita Awak posited.
The theme of Golden Jubilee Celebration of Enwang Development Union,
“Celebrating the Enwang Renaissance (Enwang Èlagha Èla) is apt, coming at a time Enwang people arise to the faith of rebirth.
The anniversary comes barely six months after another remarkable day in the annal of the people of the oil-rich area. That was Saturday, 5th June 2021.
The occasion was the launching of Enwang Victims’ Appeal Funds as Enwang sons and daughters from all walks of life thronged Methodist Primary School, Enwang, the venue of the event, to donate generously to the 150 million naira Appeal Funds.
The Fund, according to organisers, seeks to “bring succour to those of our people who fell unfortunate victims to the unprovoked attacks by Uko Nteghe Uda people and their mercenaries”.
But the high point of the occasion was the ingenuity of Enwang Leaders of Thought to use the event to “signal the August rebirth and redemptive reunification of Enwang people and community”.
Tagged “Never Again”, the event reignited the spirit of love, peace, unity and progress that is the cornerstone of Enwang Development Union.
The Clarion call in Enwang nowadays is: COME LETS BUILD TOGETHER and the turnout and reactions of Enwang people at the event are clear statements of their determination to rise to the faith of rebirth.
All hands must be on deck in a bid to sustain this tempo. The Enwang Leaders of Thought, ELOT, must be commended and supported in their efforts succour to the people. The sigh of relief, confidence and echoes of unity radiating in Enwang today is down to their painstaking efforts and those of other selfless and self-sacrificing sons and daughters of our community. Kudos.
When we stand together, we build a stronger and better Enwang.
