EDEMEYA CLAN BESTOWS CHIEFTAINCY TITLES ON EKERE, UMANA

By TOROBONG EKPO

The Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr. Nsima Ekere has pleaded with indigenes of Niger Delta States to be hospitable with contractors handling projects in their locality so as to help in even development of the areas.

Ekere made the plea over the weekend when Edemeya Clan in Ikot Abasi local government area of Akwa Ibom State gathered to celebrate the MD of NDDC for gigantic strides he has done in the commission within 8 months in office.

The Managing Director who commended the clan for the honour done him described Edemeya as his home.

While pledging the readiness of the commission to ensure that all abandoned projects in the Niger Delta were
completed, he revealed that the bridge at Akpan Ikpe which was abandoned over a decade will soon be constructed with an up-to-date design.

He noted that Edemeya will be entitled to three additional roads and urged the natives to be hospitable and friendly
with contractors.

Earlier, the President of Mboho Edemeya, Barr Edidiong Ubeh had enumerated 13 roads the commission has
constructed in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area under the watch of Mr. Nsima Ekere as Managing Director
maintaining that the clan and LGA were proud of his gigantic strideqs.

"Within the few months of his administration, the following abandoned and new roads have been completed;

Ukan - Ikot Oboroeyin road, Ikot Usoide - Ikot Enini road, Ikpetim - hospital road, Ikot Obong -Market road, Ikot Abasi - boat yard road, Atanikpe - East West road, Essene - East West road, Ikot Eteluk - Edembat road, Ikot Usop road, Ikot Etefia - Ikot Osudu road, Umeneke
1 road, Ette, Ikot Etene Ete, Iso Udu road ete to mention but a few." He enumerated.

The Legal luminary said the occasion coincides with the date Edemeya people rededicated the land to God and set
aside 22nd of July as Edemeya God's intervention day.

"This occasion is unique, ordained by God because it has coincided with the date the people of Edemeya community
gathered here and rededicated their land to God.

For this reason, 22nd of July shall be commemorated as God's Intervention for Edemeya people.

This date shall be celebrated annually." He said. Meanwhile, The Chairman Edemeya Clan Council of Chiefs, Eteidung Eniema Eshiet in consent with the entirety of village heads of the clan had bestowed the chieftaincy title of Obong Unwana Edemeya to the
Managing Director of NDDC, while the Managing Director of Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority (OGFZA), Obong Umana Okon Umana was honoured with Obong Ufan Edemeya by the clan council.

Responding, Obong Umana Okon Umana thanked the clan for the honour done him and also commended the
visitors who witnessed the epoch making event.

He specifically applauded the Managing Director of NDDC, Mr. Nsima Ekere for the strides he has made in the commission within few months in office and portrayed him as a national icon who has made his mark and paid his dues.

He stressed that Mr. Ekere has led the commission in accordance with the core mandates of the commission emphasizing that within three months in office road
construction were seen everywhere in Akwa Ibom State.

Obong Umana said that, judging from the tract records of the MD NDDC he was optimistic that the latter will make a difference.

Others who spoke at the event included Prof Etok Ekanem, a representative of ONE for CHANGE, Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, Professor Chris Ekong, Dr. Ndehe
Esitikot while symbolic presentations were made to the MD of NDDC by sociopolitical groups, Village head of
Utu Ikot Ekpenyong in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area among others.

The event was graced by about nine serving senators including Sen. Baba Bashir, Senator Sam Anyanwu,
the Minister of State for Agriculture, Management Staff of NDDC, captains of industry, business moguls, Federal Commissioners of NDDC as well as the
Paramount Ruler of Ikot Abasi, Nsobom Ntukobom among other personalities.