By: AMAWU, Cletus Albert Amawu.
Mr. Asuquo Ekpenyong and his APC Lobby Group arrived Etung Local Government Area earlier today in continuation of the statewide advocacy and sensitisation of the final phase of the INEC registration that will kick start on Monday 11, April across the country and to say, thank you to the Etung Youths for turning out in their numbers during the just concluded APC Youth Summit, held February 19, at the U.J Esuene Stadium, Calabar.
Ekpenyong, who addressed Stakeholders, Traditional Rulers, Youths and party faithful’s in Effraya, the Council Headquarters, met first with the Executive Chairman, Hon. John E. Etuk, the Traditional Rulers and then, the youths.
“I want to start by thanking the Traditional Council for welcoming us and the audience given. The reason for our visit is to appreciate the youths of Etung, whom on February 19, joined other youths across the State to converged on Calabar in a Summit to champion a new course for the present generation to assume leadership that will propel a new dawn in all ramification and as such, will start by engaging the leaders first.
“Secondly, is to encourage the youths to preach to one another to joining the All Progressive Congress (APC) as a Party with the interest of our people at heart.
“And thirdly, to encourage them to participate actively in the forthcoming INEC registration from Monday 11, Aril to obtain their PVC’s which will determine their future now through their votes. And we are aware of the Etung terrain challenges and we are ready to support the people to overcome and cushion the effects as in supporting INEC to be able to reach the hard to reach areas for more people to be able to get registered to be able to vote and bring development to the people in the grassroots. Hence, government is attracted to the people through their participation in elections,” he said.
Speaking earlier, Hon John E. Etuk, the Executive Chairman Etung Local Government Area, welcome Mr. Asuquo Ekpenyong Jnr to Etung and thanked him for the statewide advocacy and sensitisation to drive home the policy trust of the APC, add credit to the State.
According to him, “we in Etung have not being sleeping about it. Our problem is as a result of communication challenges that hampers information dissemination. All the wards of Etung are represented here for the importance of what you are doing.
“The INEC reps too has been up and doing and before you came, we have drawn a timetable for ourselves as well with a five days each allocated to each ward for the purpose of the exercise. Poor network has hampered the workings of the machines in four wards of Etung, we convey everyone down here in the Council Secretariat before they can have the opportunity to register, this is what we pass through and with limited resources and as we begin this second phase, it is the same challenge we will face which is singular reason we don’t record even above average.
“My appeal is that, if there’s anyway we can address this, then better and your coming will throw more light and help the process to achieve maximum result,”
The Paramount Ruler HRH Ntufam Raphael Ekuri, on his part, welcome Asuquo Ekpenyong to Etung and blessed in the process as he revealed a dream of his coming.
“You all are welcome from Calabar in Jesus name. we are happy to receive you in the company of our young son who intends to run for the position of governor of the State. We thank God for him to have come to Etung, the land of milk and honey, and any man that consult us, no matter what, will always want to return, your coming today is no mistake.
“We believe that even our fore fathers who gave us authority have instructed that visitors entering our land with noble and good intentions. we must bless such man. We give him our heart and we don’t make mistake talking from both side of our mouths.
“As you have come today and we accept you, we will not turn our back against you. We will stand by you.
“And let me tell you something, today is a wonderful day. I was lying on my bed at about 4;47am and my late father appeared in my dream and gave me a word to bless somebody and when you bless that person, he will be blessed and I have seen the truth in that vision. What I saw in my dream, I have seen physical and thank God, whom I hope will complete the already good work He’s started in you.
“We have blessed you and Nobody will take it away from you. As you have come, you will return safely and do what is right for He will always give you His strength to continuing doing what is right.” he said.
Having addressed the youths of Etung, Ekpenyong, departed immediately for Ikom to continue his advocacy and sensitisation.
