Ikono agog:
The Council Hall of Ikono Local Government Area was on September 9, 2020 filled to capacity with people from all walks of life who trooped in to witness the presentation of Certificate of Recognition to the new five village heads in the area among whom was that of Ibiaku Ikot Edet.
Among the village heads who also received their certificates of recognition included, Eteidung Philip Udoudo Idiong of Iton Odoro village; Eteidung Solomon Sunday Itam of Atai Obio Ediene; Eteidung Monday Ebong of Ediene Atai and Eteidung Ime Effiong Ukpong of Osuk Ediene village.
Excitement filled the air as each of the newly recognized village heads were called out to take the oath of office and subsequently presented with certificates which give them the power to operate. That of Ibiaku Ikot Edet was greeted with a loud ovation which perhaps depicted how they felt and what it meant for them to have a new village head in the person of Eteidung Samuel Okon Etesam.
Though visually impaired, but the love of his people to him and their general acceptance of his emergence as the village head is no doubt a testament to the fact that he was the most qualified to lead the village. This was reflected in their mood shortly after he received the certificate and even when he got to his house.
His compound became a beehive of activities as friends, colleagues, kinsmen, women groups, youths and well wishers trooped in to pay homage to him while Ekpo cultural troop was on hand to thrill the visitors who relished the entertainment.
Earlier at the council Hall, the Local government chairman, Mr Itoro Columba, expressed happiness for the event and thanked the governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel for being swift in signing certificate to village heads in the area describing it as unprecedented and historical since the creation of the state.
Mr. Columba extolled the leadership style of the governor which according to him has really accorded the traditional stool the needed honour.
He congratulated the five village heads on their recognition after passing through various huddles to emerge and charged them to see their position as a perfect will of God to serve the people, saying, “if we have that kind of mindset, Ikono will be a perfect place”
The chairman who noted that Ikono is one of the most peaceful place in the state because of the caliber of traditional rulers they have, urged the new village heads to cooperate with the hierarchy of traditional institution to ensure Ikono remains peaceful.
While observing that it was only when there is peace that they could attract meaningful development to their domain, Columba advised them to always seek government consent in matters that they do not have knowledge especially on issues that concerns peaceful coexistence.
He warned them against ceding any land in the area to strangers without due approval from government.
The Paramount Ruler of Ikono, Edidem Nyong Udo Obop expressed joy to witness the ceremony saying it was a good omen for the local government to have more certified village heads.
Obop, while congratulating them on their recognition, stressed the need for them to serve with the fear of God and ensuring a peaceful rein.
He called on the people to give them maximum support to enable them succeed.
Speaking on behalf of the newly recognized village heads, the village head of Ibiaku Ikot Edet , Eteidung Samuel Okon Etesam thanked the governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel for his magnanimity to accord them the recognition and pledged to exhibit the best behaviour expected of them as well as rule with the fear of God.
Etesam, who said ” I feel great, I feel elated, I feel I am in cloud seven”, posited that his emergence as the village head was a dream come true, because it was not easy but it was worth it.
According to him: “The road was long and the journey rocket, but as the saying goes, when the going gets tough, the tough get going. So while the road was tough, what I did was to brave myself to walk that rocket road to success and I am happy I have landed at that premise of success.”
On his plans for his people, Etesam promised to bring light, development, peace and goodwill to his community.
He solicited cooperation and support from his subjects to enable him succeed and urged them to be law abiding while positing that he will give room for any inadequacies.
