PHOTO CAPTION: President, Akwa Ibom Community in Anambra, Mr. Solomon Edet, presenting a working document to the President General, Akwa Ibom State Traditional Rulers Council, His Eminence, Ntenyin Solomon Etuk, during a courtesy call on Thursday 18th August 2022 at the traditional rulers council, Uyo.
By Abasifreke Effiong, Uyo.
The President of Akwa Ibom community Anambra state, Mr. Solomon Edet, has appealed to Akwa Ibom state government to assist indigenes of the state in Anambra who were badly affected by attacks carried out by unknown gunmen.
Mr. Edet who made the appeal in Uyo on Thursday 18th August during a courtesy call on the Akwa Ibom state traditional rulers council, said some indigenes of the state residing in Anambra have lost their homes and livelihoods to attacks by gunmen.
“We are still on the documentation of the affected persons. Some of our members residing in Anambra South senatorial district, in an area known as Ukpo in Nnewi South were mostly hit by the activities of the unknown gunmen. Soon, we will be able to know the exact number of persons affected, including those who have lost their homes, businesses, children and loved ones.”
The President appealed to the TRC to entreat the Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, to visit Akwa Ibom community in Anambra and hold a town hall meeting with them, saying that such interface will create more opportunities for Akwa Ibom community in Anambra to key into what their home government was doing.
Mr. Edet said the community under his leadership has worked to preserve the sanctity of Akwa Ibom culture and discourage servitude among members.
He said the community has keyed into the Dakkada philosophy of the Udom Emmanuel administration, working on value-reorientation programme aimed to encourage enterprise among Akwa Ibom indigenes and build their self-esteem.
“Some people still believe that Akwa Ibom people are good for only menial jobs and house helps. This social perception is affecting the psyche and self-esteem of our people especially those in the middle and lower class. So, one of the things we are doing is value re-orientation programme.”
Executive members of Akwa Ibom community Anambra with the President General, Akwa Ibom state traditional rulers council, His Eminence, Ntenyin Solomon Etuk.
“We are keying fully into the Dakkada concept. We are succeeding. Most of our members who were idle are now enterprising. We are trying to carry out a lot of value re-orientation so that our people can stand on their own, have their business and self-esteem not just what the public believes they are.”
Mr. Edet said as a legacy project, the community was working on building an Akwa Ibom estate in Anambra.
He disclosed that about 100 plots of land have already been acquired for the project.
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“We working on building what we call Akwa Ibom estate in Anambra. Most of our people who have resided in Anambra state did not acquire landed property. A typical Anambraman cannot live in any state for two years and would not want to acquire a land. That is the aspect of the life of Anambra people that we want to imbibe.”
“We have secured about 100 plots of land where we are going to build Akwa Ibom community estate phase 1. It will be only Akwa Ibomites that will reside there. The project is to encourage our people to own land and build. It’s a way of encouraging our people to go into real estate.”
“We are looking forward to doing phase 2 of the Akwa Ibom community estate Anambra state here in Uyo. We want to work with the state government to see where we can acquire 300 – 400 plots of land for that purpose, so that those of us there who don’t have land in Anambra can buy it here back home and build.”
A cross section of Paramount Rulers at the courtesy call.
The President said the courtesy call was to intimate the royal fathers of the activities of the community, seek partnership, collaboration and their blessings.
In his response, the President General, Akwa Ibom State Traditional Rulers Council, His Eminence, Ntenyin Solomon Etuk, encouraged the leadership of the community to always showcase the good culture of Akwa Ibom people in their dealings and look after the welfare of their members.
Ntenyin Etuk also encouraged the community to learn the good business attitude of Anambra people, continue to collaborate with the government of Akwa Ibom State and the TRC.
“You are the mirror of Akwa Ibom in Anambra. Show good behaviour even in your business. You are an ambassador. Continue to showcase everything good and unique about our state. Look after the welfare of Akwa Ibom people because you are the ambassador representing the collective interest of people.
“Learn the business attitude of the people of the Anambra people, the good ones. Continue to collaborate with the government of Akwa Ibom State, build a robust relationship with government, and TRC. We give you the assurance of our collaboration”, Ntenyin Etuk.
