ABUJA — The Etinan Federal Constituency Forum (EFCF), Abuja, has honoured Assistant Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service,Aloysius Umoh, Commissioner of Police Aniefiok Akpan and other distinguished indigenes of Akwa Ibom State for their contributions to community development, public service and the advancement of their people.
The awards were presented during the forum’s end-of-tenure get-together, award ceremony and inauguration of its new Executive Council, held at Akwa Ibom House, Central Business District, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
The ceremony also provided an opportunity to celebrate the outgoing administration, recognise outstanding contributions to the community and usher in a new leadership led by Elder Nkereuwem Umoh.
Umoh, a patron of EFCF and the Akwa Ibom Community in Abuja, appreciated the forum for recognising his contributions, describing the honour as an encouragement to sustain his commitment to the welfare and development of the people.
He offered prayers for the continued progress, unity and success of the association, urging members of EFCF and other Akwa Ibom indigenes in the Federal Capital Territory to remain hopeful, trust in God and maintain faith in His protection and provision.
While commending the outgoing administration for its service, the senior immigration officer, urged the incoming executive to remain focused and purposeful, build on the achievements of its predecessors and pursue initiatives capable of taking the forum to greater heights.
He also prayed for a successful and impactful tenure for the new leadership, expressing optimism that faith, determination and collective commitment would help the association achieve its objectives.
Similarly, the Commissioner of Police in charge of Federal Operations, Force Headquarters, Abuja, Akpan, a lawyer charged the new executive to uphold transparency, accountability and inclusive leadership.
Akpan, an indigene of Etinan Local Government Area , said he was pleasantly surprised by the award, explaining that he was not consulted before the organisers selected him for the recognition.
“I was surprised because I was not consulted. I was only called and informed that they had considered me worthy of receiving the award. I really appreciate them for deeming me fit for the recognition,” he said.
He congratulated the new executive and urged its members to improve on the achievements of the immediate past administration.
“My advice to the new executive is to improve on the achievements of the immediate past leadership. They should continue from where their predecessors stopped and take the forum to a higher level,” he said.
The police commissioner further emphasised the need for transparency, accountability and goodwill, urging the leadership to carry every member along in its activities to strengthen unity and confidence in the organisation.
“They should be transparent and carry everybody along, just as the former executive did. Accountability and goodwill are what I wish for them,” he added.
He also called on youths and other members of the Etinan community to shun negative tendencies and embrace values that would contribute to the progress and development of their communities.
Other personalities recognised at the ceremony included CP Anietie Okokon Iniedu, Force Public Relations Officer; Hon. Bassey Unaowo, immediate past President EFCF ; Dr. Emmanuel Umoh; Comrade Akpausoh Akpausoh, EFCF trustee and patron of the Akwa Ibom Community, Abuja; and Mrs. Regina Ikott; Trustee of EFCF and Akwa Ibom community Abuja.
Others are Elder Isikong Isong, Dean of the College of Patrons and Patronesses of the Akwa Ibom Community, Abuja; Mkpisong Gabriel Fan, President of the Akwa Ibom Community, Abuja; Mkpisong Jackson Ndueso, Obong Akwa Ibom Community Abuja 1; and Mrs. Ekaette Ekong, an EFCF trustee, among others.
The event featured the inauguration and swearing-in of the new Executive Council, the inaugural address by the newly inaugurated president, goodwill messages, presentation of awards and gifts, as well as a cake-cutting ceremony and toast in honour of the outgoing administration and birthday celebrants.
The gathering brought together members, patrons, stakeholders and prominent Akwa Ibom indigenes in Abuja to celebrate the outgoing leadership and reaffirm their commitment to the unity and collective advancement of Etinan people in the FCT.
The inauguration marked a new chapter in the affairs of EFCF, with expectations that the new administration would consolidate on the foAundation laid by its predecessors and deepen the spirit of unity, service, accountability and collective responsibility among members.