Governor Udom Emmanuel has re-iterated his call on royal fathers in Akwa Ibom state to caution their youths against taking laws into their hands even in the face of provocation, to avoid scaring away potential investors.
At the swearing in of Edidem Dr. Ntoeng Udo Effiong Akpan as the new chairman of the council of chiefs, Governor Emmanuel said it was against the interest of the state to allow today’s youths to destroy the future of the new generation of youths.
He specifically charged the immediate past Chairman of the State Council of Chiefs, Edidem Effiong Archianga and his counterparts in other oil producing communities to caution youths in their communities as their actions tend to embarrass the state in the eyes of the international community.
The Governor thanked Edidem Archianga for the excellent working relationship he provided and urged him to support his successor.
“We thank you, you have really supported Government without any influence from anywhere right from your heart, we could really feel the love you have for Akwa Ibom State; we believe you will support the new chairman with the same zeal, passion and love”.
Governor Emmanuel who also swore in new paramount rulers alongside the chairman of Council of Chiefs, said it was quite unprecedented to have seven new members sworn into the traditional rulers family at the same time.
He opined that the seven newly sworn in royal fathers will inject more vibrancy into the state’s traditional institution and pledged the readiness of his administration to always intervene and promptly intervene in issues involving traditional rulers.
“The State Government is always making sacrifices, we made sacrifices to support primary school teachers, Local Government Pensioners, same thing with chiefs. We will continue to make those sacrifices to support you people within the limits of available resources.”
He used the occasion to commend the traditional rulers for the honour on him at the Asan Ibibio describing the honour as a rare show of love which he appreciates.
In his inaugural address, the new Chairman Dr. Ntoeng Effiong Akpan saw his emergence as a call to service and promised to ensure that peace and order are maintained in the interest of development.
Dr Akpan commended the Governor saying, “the massive developmental strides in the state in the last two years under your able leadership have endeared you to the entire people of the state.”
His predecessor Edidem Archianga thanked his colleagues for the support to him throughout his tenure and appreciated the Governor for deeming him fit to be appointed two years ago.
He also thanked Governor Emmmanuel for approving monthly security allowances to the royal fathers, granting approval for security vote, furniture allowances and renovation of their palaces, among other things.
Archianga who is the new chairman of Traditional Rulers of Oil Mineral Producing Communities of Nigeria(TROMPCON) also recounted other achievements during his tenure, attributing them to the active support of his colleagues and urged same support to the new chairman of the council.
Earlier the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Sir Udo Ekpenyong had presented seven paramount rulers for swearing in, to include Chief Harry Etetor of Eastern Obolo, Prof. Amanam Akpan Udo of Etim Ekpo, Edidem Clement Ekpenyong of Ibesikpo Asutan, Okuku Okon Udo Ukut of Ikot Ekpene, Ovong Edet Isemin of Mbo, Edidem Raymond Timothy Inyang of Onna and Offong Bassey Edet of Udung Uko.
