Boom:

REMARKS BY SENATOR EKONG SAMPSON, ONOMKPOINAM MKPAT ENIN AND SENATOR REPRESENTING AKWA IBOM SOUTH IN THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY AND CHAIRMAN, SENATE COMMITTEE ON SOLID MINERALS, ON THE OCCASION OF THE 35TH CREATION ANNIVERSARY OF MKPAT ENIN LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, TODAY, 3RD MAY, 2024

PROTOCOLS

I feel greatly delighted to be invited to speak at this august celebration of Mkpat Enin – our dear Local Government Area at 35.

Let me specially thank the Transition Committee Chairman, Hon. (Lady) Mercy Bassey, her team and indeed, the organizers of this epoch-making gathering for the honour to have me make this speech. I extend my greetings to all the stakeholders and the people of Mkpat Enin Local Government Area for turning up en-masse to celebrate this milestone. I bring warm greetings from the people of Akwa Ibom South, the National Assembly and the Senate President, Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio, CON.

On a day like this, I feel privileged to be listed as a significant part of the Mkpat Enin landmark. From my days as Head of Council, House of Assembly Member, State EXCO member and now Senator, Mkpat Enin Local Government Area has always been dear to my heart.

I commend the Transition Committee Chairman for the vision to put together this occasion and for her giant strides since coming aboard, both as Acting Chairman and now as Transition. A peep into the interior of the Ekong Sampson Unity Hall and the general sense of life and viability within the council headquarters bear testament to her accomplishments in office.

As a major stakeholder in Mkpat Enin, I have worked hard to ensure a united front and an even, equitable distribution of projects and interventions – to fast track a wholesome development of the Local Government Area. It is part of my avowed belief that the four clans of Mkpat Enin must always work together for the common good of all – devoid of distrust and disharmony.

It was part of why I lived in Mkpat Enin throughout my years as Council Chairman. As Chairman or representative of Mkpat Enin at different fora, in my modest efforts, I constructed the Mkpat Enin Unity Hall, Health Centre in Odoro-ikot, School blocks in Ikot Ekong, Ikot Ekpenyong, Ikot Obio Nso, Ikot Akpa Ekop.

I also revamped Ukam and Akpudoh markets with stalls and water facilities, opened up numerous farm roads across the local government, to access the hinterlands, facilitated electricity to Ikpa Ikono clan and other parts of Mkpat Enin, bought cars and provided boreholes for all the four clan heads, increased the stipends for our village heads, bought a coaster for the Youth Council, all spread across the four clans.

I equally gave the cash to acquire the land and championed the building of the PDP Chapter Secretariat – one of the first to be owned by a Local Government in Nigeria. To meet the educational needs of the people, I established Excellence College, Ikot Unya and ran it tuition free for years, gave scholarship, cars and business grants through ESEP, and medical outreach for our people. These were all borne out of the desire to contribute my quota to the development of Mkpat Enin Local Government Area. I urge others coming after me to keep up with such spread in infrastructure.

At 35, Mkpat Enin Local Government Area is marching on steadily like the great African elephant, whose footprints, the Local Government Area is so named. Just like a little child weaned from her mother 35 years ago, Mkpat Enin has grown in stature and depth, and today, stands head high in the comity of other local government areas.

Ours has been an odyssey shaped by collective aspiration, desire for growth and development, human capital enrichment, laid on a rich canvass of engaging sociopolitical colourations and personages.

Today, we celebrate the dreams of our forebears, our achievements, our aspirations and indeed, the hope of a greater future. I pay tribute to the memory of our illustrious leaders who worked tirelessly to place the Local Government Area in the right footing. The late Obong D.S. Udoinyang, Chief A.A. Inoh, Elder Joe Udobia, Hon. Basil Essien, Chief Richard ‘Tractor’ Umoren, Sir Maurice Ebe, HRM John Ufot Ibanga, HRH P.N.J. Udoh, Lady Valerie Ebe, and a galaxy of others, too numerous to mention.

Let us use the spirit of this celebration to foster greater sense of unity and love for one another, as a people with common ancestry. Let us embrace and internalize the true meaning of ‘yakammi’ in our daily engagements and endeavour, as proud sons and daughters of Mkpat Enin Local Government Area.

My profound gratitude goes to the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State – our in-law, Pastor Umo Eno and his dear wife, our sister, Patience Umo Eno, for the love they have for Mkpat Enin Local Government Area, as witnessed in unfolding appointments and infrastructure. More are coming! Like I said the other time, Mkpat Enin will be at the forefront of Pastor Umo Eno’s reelection, because we are very pleased with his leadership style.

Once again, on behalf of my wife, family and the entire people of Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District, I wish our dear Mkpat Enin Local Government Area, happy celebrations.

Senator Ekong Sampson, Ph.D
Onomkpoinam Mkpat Enin &
Senator Representing Akwa Ibom South,
03/05/2024