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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R Ëž ÍŻÍ°Ëœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ
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Annangs Stage ‘Biggest’ Reception for Udom Emmanuel Nseobong Okon-Ekong
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n the polity of Nigeria, Ikot Ekpene, one of the leading cities in Akwa Ibom State has some claims to fame. It has the distinction of being the ďŹ rst experimental local government administration in West Africa. The people of Ikot Ekpene are famous for skill in wood sculpture. Their artistry reaches a height of excellence in creating marvelous works from raďŹƒa. And that is how it got the sobriquet, RaďŹƒa City! Ikot Ekpene is perhaps best known as the headquarters of the Annang ethnic group. a dynamic socio-political group in Akwa Ibom. In recent years, the ideals of this group have been promoted by the Ati Annang Foundation, an elite socio-cultural organization for Annang sons and daughters with chapters all over the world. Its recent assembly at the prestigious Regina Pacis Auditorium, Ifuho, Ikot Ekpene, however, took a new turn as the event revolved around the First Family of Akwa Ibom State. Incidentally, Governor Udom Emmanuel is an in-law to the Annangs, as his wife, Martha hails from Oruk Anam, one of the local government Areas that make up the Annang nation. Approaching the venue, Cardinal Ekanem Road, it was easy to conclude from the type and number of cars that there is a gathering of eminent persons in the neighbourhood. The array of cultural displays, drummers and dancers created an unmistakable festive mood. The people danced with frenzy, which reached a feverish climax when Governor Udom arrived into warm embrace of the leadership of Ati Annang Foundation including its Grand Patron and wife, His Excellency, Godswill Akpabio, the Senate Monitory Leader and Her Excellency, Mrs. Unoma Akpabio. . If there were doubts about the relationship between Udom and Akpabio, the Ati Annang meeting put it to rest, as there were no noticeable signs of disaection between them. It was a copious show of warmth, laughter and backslapping all the way between the two. Governor Udom adjudged the mammoth crowd as “one of the biggest receptionâ€? since he became governor. He appealed to those litigating against government for compensation on Ikot Ekpene- Uyo Road to back down. He thanked Ati Annang for the support. Mrs. Martha Emmanuel expressed similar sentiments. She was exceedingly happy with the honour to her husband and herself. The First lady viewed the robust reception as a strong indication of support for her husband. She assured the people that the nooks and crannies of Annang land would be touched positively by the Udom administration. Mrs Emmanuel concluded that it was not possible for the governor to forget the Annangs as that would mean he has forgotten her. The razzmatazz of inducting the governor as a new member and patron of Ati Annang Foundation was made more glorious with presentation of scholarships to 200
Olori Wuraola
Cultural Dancers at the reception
university students. The scholarships are worth N50,000 each. Also, back-to-school-kits were presented to 500 pupils. One of the highlights of the event was a sterling performance by the Uko Akpan Cultural Troupe. The grand old man of Akwa Ibom cultural dance who is also a natural ruler has been performing since 1947 and is still very active in the traditional dance and music circuit. He was awarded an honorary doctorate degree in performing arts by the University of Uyo at its last convocation. The International President of Ati Annang Foundation, Rt. Honourable Udo Kyrian, House Leader of the Akwa Ibom House of Assembly thanked the governor and his wife for accepting membership of the socio-cultural organization. He said that the spirit embedded in the Annang person drives him in the direction of excellence, progress and deďŹ nes his sense of justice, equity, harmonious existence and good conscience. The Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio stated that the reception/ investiture should assure Governor Udom that he has no enemy in Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District. He enjoined him not to listen to gossips as only the will of God will be done in his life. The former governor submitted that he stands as the father of the Udom administration. He implored those who hate him, his wife and children to hate them no more. He said that he was happy that he is alive with his wife to join the celebration and reassured the governor that they are with him.
2BABA, DAREY, ADEKUNLE GOLD, DAZZLE AT OLORI WURAOLA The Give-Back-concert organised by Olori Wuraola Ogunwusi, wife of the Ooni of Ife recently in support of orphanages in the country may have come and gone, but its impact on the lives of orphans will continue to reverberate for long. The Olori Wuraola Orphan Aid Project is an initiative under the House of Oduduwa Foundation. The concert attracted multiple award winning stars like Innocent ‘2Baba’ Idibia, Darey, Adekunle Gold, Waje, Cobhams, Sound Sultan, Kenny Blaq, Funbi and Lamboghini. Expectedly, there was no single dull
Gov. Udom Emmanuel receives a traditional symbol of strenght and industry
Gov. Udom Emmanuel and wife receive an Ikot Ekpene made RaďŹƒa craft
moment all through the event as the super stars thrilled the audience with world-class performance that left the huge crowd inside the Eko Convention Center Lagos, asking for more. Olori Wuraola, the queen and wife of the Ooni of Ife, who has been tagged as Mother Theresa of our time, left no one in doubt of her ability to add glitz, glamour and razzmatazz to an event that was organised to show love to the less-privileged. She has successfully demonstrated her deep love for the poor by practically living her life to conform with her philosophy that is deeply-rooted in the aphorism that wealth is nothing if it cannot be used for the advancement of
society and mankind. Her effort to draw the people’s attention to the plights of the less-privileged, especially in the southwest zone of the country, with the good response to her call by dignitaries that include the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi; His imperial majesty Enitan Ogunwusi, Ooni of Ife, billionaire businesswoman, Hajia Bola Shagaya; Sen. Ita Giwa; Nike Osinowo; Erelu Dosunmu, Sisi Abah Folawiyo among several others. Nollywood stars were also in attendance to lend their support to the cause. Speaking on her dream for orphanages, Olori Wuraola said: “I want to assist in the renovation of local orphanages She also expressed the need to