Saddened by the Abaji-Kwali auto-crash incident, Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State, alongside the Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig-Gen Shuaibu Ibrahim, have commiserated with the people of Ibeno Local Government Area, particularly the family of Hon. Peter Upere-Ukoeka, over the tragic death of their son, Innocent.
Hon. Peter Upere-Ukoeka, a native of Okorutip and former Leader of Ibeno Legislative Council, was said to have lost his son, Mr. Innocent, to a ghastly road accident along Abaji-Kwali Expressway.
Governor Emmanuel, who was represented by the State Commissioner for Special Duties, Rt. Hon. Okpolupm Etteh, on Saturday, said “the government of Akwa Ibom State received the news of the sad event with deep shock and grief. I sincerely express my heartfelt sympathy and solidarity with the people of Okorutip and Ibeno in general at this trying and painful moment.”
“We are deeply pained and we know no words can soothe nor comfort you enough but God does. We pray God to grant the family and the people of Ibeno the fortitude and courage to bear this irreparable loss,” he said.
The Governor further urged the family and the people of the area to find solace in the fact that death is the lot of every mortal, saying “though the sad incident has created a gap, faith in God will continue to assuage our pain.”
He assured that government will do everything within its reach to support and assist the family give the deceased a befitting burial.
Responding, the deceased father, Hon. Uper-Ukoeka, thanked the Governor and the Director General of NYSC for their thoughtfulness and best wishes to the family and the people of Ibeno in their moment of grief and sorrow.
“I wish the sad event was a dream. My son was my only hope to a better life. He painstakingly trained himself through school but never alive to enjoy his effort. God knows better,” he said.
While expressing his indebtedness to the august visitors, he appealed to the Governor to assist in the payment of his unpaid entitlement while in office as a Councillor.
Also speaking, a member of the family and former State Officer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Friday Ikpo, thanked the State Government for its concern.
He further appealed to government to be critical and thorough in the safety of road users.
The Governor and the Director General of NYSC, who was represented by the State Coordinator, Mrs. Chinyere Ekwe, were received by the Chapter Chairman of PDP, Hon. Emah Ibok; Secretary of Ibeno Local Government Council, Mr. Johnson Ukaulo; supervisory Councillor of Okorutip, Ikpe Ebrewong; the Councillor representing Ward-6, Hon. Sunday Sunday Eshiet; former Chairman of Ibeno Local Government Council, Hon. Sunday Isokobo; Mr. Ikoabasi Uko; the village Head of Okomo Ita among others.
