By Uwem Offon, Uyo
The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has called on members of the Oron Union to continue to uphold their trade mark of unity and peaceful coexistence, so that the state will continue to remain an oasis of peace , safety and tranquility that will attract more development to the area.
Governor Eno stated this at the Oron Union Centenary Celebration which took place at the Oron Township Stadium.
”As you celebrate your centenary, we urged you to continue to work in unity , peace and peaceful coexistence, so our state will remain an oasis of peace, safety, tranquility and development that we are known for.
Governor Eno who spoke through Senator Effiong Bob, lauded the Oron Union for the the unique identity, social and cultural ethos and kindred spirit they have sustained all through their hundred years of existence as a union.
”For 100 years, Oron Union has defined and projected their unique identity with social and cultural ethos, kindred spirit and unity of the Oron nation while working with other socio cultural groups,” he said.
He maintained that the Union has stood out because they have defined their vision and goals and has worked together to actualize them, hence the humongous development witnessed in man- power and education.
The Governor further appreciated the Union and the entire people of Oron nation for the massive support they gave him during the 2023 elections, promising to continue to support the Union, while announcing a 50 million naira donation for the union’s educational foundation.
”let me use this opportunity to thank this great body and the entirety of the good people of Oron nation for the support you do wonderfully gave me in 2023 and my faith and belief is that you will do more in 2027.
”I made a number of campaign promises in 2023 and I am happy to the glory of God that we have worked to fulfill most of them and the next two years we will do more”, he added.
In her remarks at the event, the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, on her part maintained that as a proud daughter of Oron nation, she cannot stop but do everything that will bring development to Oron.
”I stand here today a very proud daughter of Oron nation, the blood of Oron flows in me, I’m Oron proper, married to Oron, and therefore the interest, what concerns Oron concerns me, what concerns Oron gives me the urge to drive in”, she said.
Senator Eyakenyi described the Oron Union as impeccable, resilience and purpose – driven union whose 100 years of existence is worth celebrating.
She urged the union to remain resolute and committed on its course to raise future leaders, who will stand to celebrate the next 100 years with more prominent achievements that will resonate with the vision of the forebears, saying that her prayer is that the centenary will continue to shine brighter and brighter for the people.
She called on the Union leadership to continue to pursue the initiatives of the founding fathers of the union as according to her, the father’s of the union were people who placed premium on educational development of Oron people.
The Deputy Governor however, commended the Governor on behalf of the people of Oron, for always supporting the activities and programmes of Oron nation and for the developmental projects he has executed in the five Local Government Areas.
She appealed to Governor Eno for support on the educational foundation project of the union explaining that she has on her part donated to the union , and is ready to do more by taking up the training of 50 young females of Oron extraction.
Earlier in his welcome address, the President General of Oron Union, Sir Essang Nsa Bassey, thanked the State Governor, invited guests and the people of Oron for coming to celebrate with them on the occasion of the 100 year’s celebration of the union and explained that the journey so far to 100 years has been so long, but a very rewarding one, worthy of celebration saying there are so many unions that have fizzled out before attaining 100 years.
He disclosed that Oron Union was founded on 23rd May, 1925 with clear mandate to undertake educational development, maintain cultural heritage, and build capacity of leaders that would stand out as political advocates for the people.
Others who spoke at the event included the Chairman of the occasion, Chief Offong Bassey Offong, SAN, the Member for Oron Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Rep Martins Esin, the President General of the Supreme Council of Akwa Ibom Traditional Rulers and the Oku Ibom Ibibio, His Eminence, Ntenyin Dr. Solomon Etuk, JP, the Ahta Oro VIII and Paramount Ruler of Okobo LGA, His Eminence, Edidem Ita Okokon among others.
High points of the event were the confernment of award of excellence on the governor amongst others.
