Excitement greets Umume 2021 Solemn Assembly
By Ekrumnovsky Ekerendu
Joy and excitement could best describe the atmosphere at Umume 2021 Solemn Assembly on Monday, as the National Youth President of Urueoffong Oruko Local Government Area, Comrade John Okon Uweh called for peace, donated over 200 copies of exercise books, jotters to students of Umume community.
That two-day annual fiesta tagged “Preserved for Future Glory” took place at Government Primary school Umume between 26th and 27th December. In attendance were sons and daughters of the community and an admirer and former National youth secretary of Uboro-Oro community comrade Asukwo Onwi Usuyak who poured out their hearts to God to put an end to blood shed and untimely dead in Umume land.
This reporter who has been monitoring activities happening in Urueoffong Oruko LGA could reliably report that there have been cases of inter/intra communal clashes in Umume which often lead to blood shed and dead.
The most recent of such clashes occurred last month which led to the killing of two young men and property destroyed.In a brief chat with newsmen shortly after the event, the national youth president of Urueoffong Oruko LGA and immediate past youth president of Umume thanked the convener of the assembly, Very Revd. Inyang Okon Effiong and others for supporting the Umume 2021 Solemn Assembly.
The Councilor hopeful, while describing the incidence that led to the dead of Umume people as unfortunate expressed confidence in God as the only dependable factor to bring lasting peace and sanity to the land.However, he cautioned youth presidents in Urueoffong Oruko LGA in general and that of Umume community in particular to make peace and mutual coexistence among members of their community a top-notch on their daily programmes and agenda. Adding, that has always been his focus.“
The focus the Umume 2021 Solemn Assembly was peace and mutual coexistence with every member and residence of Urueoffong Oruko Local Government Area and that is what I represent.
When I was the National youth president of Umume, there was peace because I priotized my relationship with youth members, elders and other concerned members of Umume.
Moreover, I think was very proactive, always seeking to know and strike balance on every case brought before me to ensure that disagreeing persons will have the cause to greet each other on the street tommorow and so forth.On his donation of exercise books and jotters to pupils/students from nursery to secondary levels, comrade Uweh described it an opportunity to contribute his quota and encourage Umume children to take advantage of free and compulsory education of the Akwa Ibom state Government.
Earlier, while filling questions from journalist on what necessitated the annual solemn assembly in Umume, the convener, Very Revd. Inyang Okon Effiong has this to say.
“It was in my mind for a very long time to be hosting solemn assembly in Umume since I do not have silver nor gold but prayers for my father-land. Though bringing it to pass was not easy”.
He added. Revd. Effiong said the solemn assembly iniative was warmly welcome and appreciated since 2009 by the former village head, the late chief John Akankuk and testimonies of the annual festival abound till date.Also commenting on communal clashes experienced in recent times at Umume the Methodist presbyter attributed such awful happenings to wrong leadership especially in the youth Wing of the community.
However, expressed confidence in God as the author of peace. He called on youths, elders and every residence of Umume to repent for the betterment of their land. Highlight of the epoch making event were: donation of wrappers to the widows, T-shirts polo to youths and supporters of the 2021 solemn assembly among others.
