Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State has appealed for calm, continuous peace and harmony amongst the people of Enwang community in Mbo Local Government Area, assuring that justice will be done and perpetrators of the heinous crime punished.
The Governor, who described the Enwang-Uko-Nteghe Uda situation as unwarranted and criminal, made this known on Saturday during the launching of 150 Million Naira Enwang Victims’ Appeal Fund for members of the Enwang community who lost properties and means of livelihood.
Represented by the State Commissioner for Special Duties, Rt. Hon. Okpolupm Etteh, the Governor thanked the people of the area for their maturity and for toeing path of peace and harmony, regardless of the communal crisis that led to loss of innocent lives and property.
He supported the Appeal Fund with the sum of N20million and urged the people to be peaceable, saying “development and progress thrive in the atmosphere of peace and in harmonious environment. Government is working round the clock to ensure the development of the area. The security agencies are also working to ensure the people behind that act are brought to book.”
Speaking, the Local Government Council Chairman, Mr. Asuquo Eyo, thanked the Governor for his concerns, development of the area and clear cut future plans for the people of Mbo.
In his remarks, Chairman of the occasion, Chief Otu Ita-Toyo, said “the Appeal Fund Launching is the unveiling of a new wave of development and proclamation. It is Enwang’s way of teaching its adversary a lesson in brotherhood. It is about hope and the future of Enwang. It is an act of praise to God.”
He thanked the Enwang people for leading the way, urging that the status quo and inherent virtues that kept Oro as a nation be re-ignited.
Also speaking, Major General Isidore Udoh said “posterity will judge us right for upholding the tenets of peace in the face of unprovoked attacks. Unarguably, meaningful will elude our two communities without justice not only done but clearly seen to be done.”
On his part, Ovong (Engr.) Ita Awak charged the people to let go every animosity and hatred for their brothers, saying “Never Again shall the people of Enwang be made to abandoned their ancestral homes, Never Again shal Enwang be left in desolation.”
A special prayer session for Enwang community and the entire Mbo Local Government Area was made by the Diocesan Bishop of the Methodist Church Nigeria, Oron, Bishop Effiong Esedeke.
The event, which was organized by the Enwang Development Union, took place at the Enwang Primary School with Chief (Barr.) Effiong Abia, Mr. Michael Isang, Mr. Etim Inyang Jnr, Chairman of Udung Uko Local Government Council, Traditional Rulers, youth and women groups as well as elders and stakeholders of the area in attendance.
