By Joe Udo
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, on Wednesday, 17th April, paid a condolence visit to the family of late Sylvanus Ukpong, the Chief Executive Officer of Emem Farms Limited and Emem & Sons Limited, who lost his life, two weeks ago, while returning from his farm.
Governor Eno who was deeply touched as he consoled the bereaved family, offered automatic employment to Ukpong’s widow and a scholarship to his daughter.
Speaking during the visitation on Thursday, 18th April, Eno said: “Honestly, this is not the kind of visit I would like to be doing. This is the second time within one week that I am doing this, and I am heartbroken.
“I have come here today, on behalf of the Government and people of our dear State, to show our compassion and to console the family.
“I want to assure them, government will rally round the family at this time of their bereavement.
“I am made to understand that the late Slyvanus Ukpong has a daughter, Emem Sylvanus Ukpong who is an SS1 Student.
“We will quickly institute a scholarship scheme up to the university level for her. The Secretary to the State Government will handle this. The funds will be managed by her mother.
“I also understand her mother, the widow, is currently unemployed and is a trained teacher. We need more trained teachers, so we are offering her an automatic employment into the State Civil Service.”
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The Governor also used the opportunity to assure the people that the state is continually safe and peaceful.
“For every criminal that operates or intends to operate in this State, I promise you that you will be caught and dealt with according to the law. We will make this State exceedingly uncomfortable for them to operate.
“Let me say this, soon, I will be signing an Executive Order wherein any house that secretly harbours criminals will be demolished and the owners prosecuted.”
Responding, Mr Cletus Ukpong, a journalist, and South South Regional Editor of the Premium Times, an online news publication, was effusive in his praise of Governor Eno.
“Your Excellency, on behalf of the family, we sincerely thank you for this visit. When you called me, I remember what I told you. I said to you that we knew you were going to visit us. Why did we know you would come? Because we have seen you; the passion and compassion you have for the people of this State.
“You could have sent a delegation to come and see us, but you have dedicated your life to comforting the afflicted and this is a great testimony to your love for this State and the people. Thank you so very much for this visit, Your Excellency, we deeply and profoundly appreciate you.”
Those who accompanied the Governor on the visit among other stakeholders, were the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, the Director General of Government Business, Chief Assam Assam, SAN, Commissioner for Works and Fire Service, Prof. Eno Ibanga, Commissioner for Lands, Captain Iniobong Ekong (rtd) and Commissioner for Internal Security and Waterways, Brigadier-General Koko Essien (rtd), the CEO of Hensek Integrated Services, Engr. Uwem Okoko, and the Commander of Ibom Community Watch, Isantim Kenneth Okon.
