Federal Polytechnic Ukana: Ika Local Government Council honours Rector
The IKA Local Government Council has honoured the Rector, Federal Polytechnic, Ukana, Dr Uduak A Ukekpe with an award of honour in recognition of his ‘dynamic leadership style and unwavering support towards grassroot development of Ika people and Nigerian youths at large’.
The award was conferred on Dr. Ukekpe during a ceremony hosted to mark the first anniversary celebration of the Hon. Malachy Ukpeh led administration as the Chairman of IKA Local Government Area, at the IKA Unity Hall, Urua inyang .
Receiving the award, the Rector who was represented by a former Secretary IKA Local Government Council, Hon. Usen Oyo, thanked the council adminstration for the honour done him. He remarked that he was delighted to be honoured by his people and would not take the honor for granted.
“”By Gods grace I have received several awards but I must confess this particular award stands out and means a lot to me, because it is coming from my people which has defiled the popular saying that a prophet is not respected in his own land””.
He advised the younger generation to shun acts capable of derailing their future, but to pursue their dreams as there was no limit to what they can attain in life if they stoop to conquer.
“I charge young ones to sit up, and pursue their dreams because there is no limit to what they can achieve”
He thanked the Council boss, Hon Ukpeh and his cabinet for honouring him.
The high point of the event was the award presentation done by the executive chairman Hon. Ukpeh.
Earlier, the Executive Chairman of IKA Local Government Area, Hon Malachy Ukpeh in his speech, thanked God for a successful one year in office, he congratulated Governor Udom Emmanuel for the confidence he reposed on him as Chairman of IKA Local Government Council. Hon Ukpeh enumerated some of the challenges he has faced and successes he has enjoyed as Council chairman.
“”At the time I assumed office, the pressure was high because, the people of IKA where already yearning for a change, for a purposeful leadership, so on assumption of office, we prayed God for wisdom, he directed us on what to do, so we started by constructing an access road into IKA, which was one of the people’s major challenge and that became our first project, which has been followed by many other projects ” he said.
“Dr. Uduak S Ukekpe is the first IKA son to become a Rector and deserves to be honoured for achieving such feat, hence IKA people have deem it necessary to conferred this award on him to encourage him and also spur young ones to follow his footprint. Today’s award, is an award of excellence issued to excellent individuals who have been outstanding in their their various endeavours and have set the pace which others are expected to follow. This award is basically to appreciate them” he added.
The event also witnessed other activities including, thanksgiving celebration, Presentation of Awards to Inaugural Lectures which was delivered by the Special Adviser to Governor Emmanuel’s Chief of Staff on Public Affairs, Dr. Osondu Ahirika who spoke on ” Changing the Narrative of Leadership “.
Dr. Ahirika explained that leadership has gone pass just becoming a leader but a transformation catalyst. ” Dubai which is now a world tourist centre was once a desert where no one could survive, until a right leader who had the interest of his people emerged and transformed a desert to into a centre of world attraction” he said.
“You cannot sit to lead a people without been a good student of history, that will be a a leadership led on a faulty foundation because the knowledge is needed so that you will have a knowledge of the exploits of other good leaders which will guide you”. “”Any leader that has the heart of father, giving his people the best will be his priority” he added as he charged the council boss to rise up and become the Father to IKA people.
In a vote of thanks, the Chairman Planning Committee, Hon Unwana Alban Ekpongetor expressed gratitude to God for making the event a success. He thanked the awardees for honouring their invitation as he also called on all and sundry for wise counselling, advise and constructive criticism. He lauded everyone in attendance for making IKA great again with by presence.
Other awardees of the day include, Aniekan Abasi Udokon, Prof Partrick Ebewo, Pastor Imo Abasi Jacob and Justice Pius Patrick Odiong.
Also in attendance were, Vice-Chairperson of IKA Council Hon Mrs David Idongosit, SSA on Religious Matters to IKA Council, Bishop James Ambrosea, Special Adviser on Woman Affairs to IKA council, Mrs Jane Micheal, Pioneer Vice-Chancellor of Top Faiith university, Prof. Patrick Ebewo, among others .
