MY ENDLESS PASSION FOR COMMUNITY SERVICES MAKES PEOPLE MISCONSTRUE ME AS BEING CONTROVERSIAL – PROF ETIE BEN AKPAN
By Emmanuel Paragon
A retired university don, Prof Etie Ben Akpan has stated equivocally that his love and passion for service to humanity is one of the reasons people see him as being controversial and that he owes no one any apology, provided he speaks and stands for the truth .
The Political Leader of Okon Eket geopolitical zone dropped this hint when he played host to the Silver Jubilee Planning Committee of Okon Youth Council at his Nduo Eduo residence yesterday.
The clan youth helmsman, Obong Mkparawa Aniebiet Ibok used the occasion to brief the Group Head of Nduo Eduo of the various activities lined up for the 25th anniversary of Okon Youth Council slated for Saturday, 16th November, 2024 at Ikot Okudom Community Hall by 9.00am prompt, and passionately appealed for royal blessings and endorsement.
Speaking in the same vein, the Chairman of the Planning Committee who also doubles as the erstwhile International President of Eket Students Association Worldwide, Comrade Ukay Peters further stated that one of the highpoints of the event will be an empowerment programme for some youth artisans in various vocations and appealed for support and cooperation to make the event a worthwhile venture.
In his response, the Professor of Geology went down memory lane to really recall how organised youths association berthed in Okon.
“Okon Youth Council may officially clock twenty five years but let me also tell you today’s youths, for records purposes, that there was an organized youth body in Okon, fondly called NAMO, that spanned more than three decades ago.”
Prof Etie Ben Akpan paid glowing tributes to the memories of some of the founding fathers Late Barrister Udo Bassey Peter aka Peter – Dan and the late beloved father of the incumbent youth president, Chief Jack Ibok aka IB for being at the forefront and arrowheads, back then for the struggle for the emancipation of Okon youths. He called for posthumous awards to be conferred on such patriots who put in their all in the betterment of their community.
He further advised them to always channel their energies and also be aggressive for positive actions in the society, as leaders of tomorrow. He likened youth body as the fulcrum or pivot in which development and progress hinge, provided they know how to sail their ship to safe harbour.
“As one of the foremost community leaders of Okon descent, we will always lend our support for the continuous advancement of Okon youths educationally, socially as we have been doing these past years, to enhance increased productivity and self reliance,” he said with a tone of finality.
