…mourns the demise of Obong Ekiko
A 5km road has been earmarked for construction at Ikono Uyo to complement the two roads undergoing construction in the area as part of the rural development thrust of Governor Umo Eno-led administration in Akwa Ibom State.
The Governor, Pastor Umo Eno announced this while addressing sympathisers at the funeral service in honour of Late Dr Mkpaisong (Obong) Cyril Mathew Ekiko at Primary School grounds, Nung Asang, Ikono Uyo, Uyo Local Government Area.
Governor Eno explained that the road construction, besides aligning with the rural development thrust of his administration, was to keep faith with the understanding he had with the deceased during his political campaign.
“I didn’t know Uyo extends to this area. I would have thought it is Etinan LGA. Be that as it may, I have asked the Ministry of works to work with you to open up another road here. We are doing two already, but we will try and add one more in honour of your dad.”
He recalled consulting late Obong Cyril Ekiko, a former Member of the Cross River State House of Assembly in the second republic, to canvass support for his election as governor and the elder statesman drew his attention to the non inclusion of talented individuals of Ikono Uyo in the State Executive Council since the State’s creation, and used the occasion to inform the people that the area has been fully represented in the new State Exco billed for inauguration on Monday February 24, 2025.
He said, “During our campaign, I remember vividly that I visited the late Obong Ekiko, and one of the things he told me was not to forget Ikono Uyo when I become Governor, that they have not had any member in the Exco, either as a commissioner or special adviser.
“But I am happy today that even though he is not around, we have kept our faith, we have kept the promise. Today, Ikono Uyo has, for the first time, a member in the State Executive Council that will be sworn in on Monday.
He acknowledged that the deceased stood firm in support of truth and condoled the family on the demise of the patriarch, saying that the passing of a loved one evokes painful and emotional feelings and that he, and by extension the people of the State, shared in the sadness and feeling of loss experienced by the family.
Governor Eno therefore urged the family to take solace in the fact that the deceased had laid a solid foundation of growth predicated on excellent pursuit and integrity whose candle the survivors should hold admirably to immortalise him, while praying for the repose of his soul.
Chief mourner and son of the deceased, Engr. Mbong Ekiko expressed appreciation to the Governor for leading the State delegation to bid farewell to his late father, a gesture which he said culminated to his community benefitting in the rural development drive of the present administration.
