Emmanuel Ukpong-Udo: The Emerging Political Leader Of Ikono LGA

The world is full of aspiring political leaders but very few are ready to pay for the price of leadership and live up to societal expected leadership ideals. The social system is bereft of leaders who are ready to know where they are going and willing to sacrificially let others go in the direction that will transform the system. This is what the recent appointment of Mr. Emmanuel Ukpong-Udo as the Political Leader of Ikono Local Government Area by the People Democratic Party (PDP), Ikono chapter seeks to provide for the area.

Mr. Emmanuel Ukpong-Udo, an Occupational Safety and Health Consultant, Chartered Safety and Health Practitioner, who is also the Regional Quality, Health, Safety and Environmental Manager Olean Invest W.A. Ltd and General Manager with Intels W. A Ltd is blessed with the rare virtues of charisma, strong character, and integrity, as well as ability to assess situation and make decision based on what would be best for the greater number of people, which are the hallmarks of good leadership.

He is an embodiment of a true leader with abounding acumen required to produce next generation of world changers. A gentleman with comely disposition, accommodating and accepting attitude, Mr. Ukpong-Udo is an exemplar of integrity, loyalty, strong character, charisma and conscience. He is naturally endowed with good communication and interpersonal skills, with ability to harness diverse opinions to achieve the greatest good for the people; a man with usual courage to stand for what is needful and represent his people faithfully.

Mr. Ukpong-Udo who is also the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Macaire Resort, has demonstrated that leadership is all about influencing life and transforming people. He has proven that leadership is all about building the next generation of leaders by investing in the people today for the gains of tomorrow.

The number of youths benefiting from his empowerment scheme and other unannounced gestures are all expression of his passion and commitment to the growth and alleviation of the suffering of the common man. This indeed is the heart of a leader. It is on record that over 70 youths have so far been given cars by Mr. Ukpong-udo and he has contributed greatly to the political stability of his area by providing direction, showing the way and taking the lead. These are what distinguish every great leader and Mr. Emmanuel Ukpong-udo has it in surplus measure.

It was therefore not a surprise that the People Democratic Party (PDP) and PDP stakeholders in Ikono Local Government Area appointed Mr. Emmanuel Ukpong-udo as the substantive Political Leader of the area to fill the vacuum created by the death of Obong (Prophet) Monday Udoinyang the former Political Leader of Ikono Local Government Area.

The Party, in a communiqué issued at an expanded executive meeting on May 2, 2015 signed by Chapter Chairman, Chief Etim Inyang, the Secretary, Mr. Rustom Alexander, chapter Executives and PDP Ward Chairmen in Ikono LGA indicates that the Party in Ikono was cognizant of various contributions of Mr. Emmanuel Ukpong-udo and was satisfied with his various human empowerment schemes, which has affected many lives in the local government Area.

The communiqué reads, “The collective leadership of the People Democratic Party, Ikono L.G.A Chapter on grounds of strength, trust and commitment exhibited by an outstanding Son of Ikono Local Government in the areas of community development, human capacity empowerment, employment generation, strategic support initiatives as well as his extensive political network has help in ensuring political stability in Ikono L.G.A. And the Party being satisfied with such contributions by the General Manager, Intels W.A Ltd (Rivers State) and Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of MACAIRE RESORT, Elder Emmanuel Effiong Ukpong-udo, therefore appoint him the substantive Political Leader of Ikono Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State.”

The People Democratic Party, Ikono chapter in the Communiqué, expressed optimism that the new Political Leader of Ikono would continue to encourage the proud political tradition of Ikono and you continue to work for improved community and Political progress of the area.

Mr. Emmanuel Ukpong-udo, who is yet to come out of the amazement of this appointment, described the appointment as the wishes of the people and a call on him to serve his people. Humbled by the decision of the party, Mr. Ukpong-Udo, thanked the PDP and the people of Ikono for founding him worthy to serve the area as the Political Leader. He prayed God to give him the grace to serve the people judiciously, while calling on the people to join hands with him in the onerous task of service to fatherland and projection of Ikono as the Cradle of Ibibio Nation.

By this appointment, Elder Ukpong-udo is stepping into a big shoe left few years ago by the erstwhile Political Leader of the area, Otuekong (Prophet) Monday Udo Inyang; a political strategist and a man with brazen courage, who wielded enormous political power in Ikono LGA and set standards for political growth and stability in the area.

Many prominent sons and daughters of Ikono Local Government Area have expressed confidence in Mr. Ukpong-Udo and commended the PDP family in Ikono for appointing him the Political leader of the area.

A pioneer PDP woman leader in Ikono and a former Transition Chairman of Ikono, Obonganwan Lovina Umoh Effah said the decision of the PDP in Ikono would rewrite the political story of Ikono Local Government Area. Obonganwan Effah described Elder Emmanuel Ukpong-udo as a gentleman with abounding experience and profound wisdom that would provide the needed political direction and stability in the area.

The PDP Chapter Secretary, Mr. Rustom Alexander considers the emergence of Elder Ukpong-udo as the Political Leader of Ikono Local Government Area as act of God. According to him, “the emergence is divine because after Prophet Monday Udoinyang, there has not been anybody that stands out as a political leader in Ikono. Outside politics, Emma has done what nobody has done in Ikono in terms of empowerment and development of the area. He was not doing those things because he wanted to be seen, but out of love for his people. This is what makes him our leader.”

The Councilor Ndiya/Ikot Idara Ward 8, Honourable Solomon Akpan said the conferment of Political Leader of Ikono on Elder Ukpong-udo was the best thing for Ikono Local Government Area. Hon Akpan noted that the issue of Political Leader of Ikono was a controversial issue until Ikono people discovered Elder Ukpong-Udo as the person that can give direction to Ikono at this delicate time. He described the new Political Leader as “a square peg in a square hold.”

Hon. Victor Akang on his part observed that the conferment of Political Leader of Ikono on Elder Ukpong-udo transends political lines to reflect the collective interest of the people of Ikono Local Government Area. Akang expressed confidence that his leadership would surpass previous leaders in the area because of his experience and antecedents.

A youth representative, Mr. Nnamso Effah commended the PDP and stakeholders in Ikono for conferring on Elder Ukpong-Udo the Political Leader of Ikono. He said, “The PDP in Ikono made no mistake appointing him the Political Leader of Ikono. His is the man for Ikono, a man for the youths, a man for the women and a man for the elders. He is indeed a complete gentleman and has what it takes to provide direction for the people of Ikono. We will support him to lead us.”

In all, the appointment of Mr. Ukpong-Udo has received the overall acceptance of the people. It is expected that with his wealth of experience, exposure and educational attainment, Elder Ukpong-Udo, a reputable son of Ikono will do the needful to reposition and restore Ikono Local Government Area to its pride of place in our State as the Ntippe Ibibio. Behold the emerging Political Leader of Ikono Local Government Area. I enjoin us to extend to him our support.

Israel Ntiense is public affairs analyst.