The Chairman of Uyo Progressives Initiative, UPI, Elder Imo Okon has dismissed as baseless and in bad faith, a recent newspaper publication that Atan Offot people were up against the Commissioner for Environment and Mineral Resources, Prince Enobong Uwah, for allegedly not doing anything for them or bearing grudges against him for a previous election of 2011.
Hinting that, nothing can be farther from the truth, the leader of the most vibrant socio-political group in Uyo stated that he can state unequivocally without fear of contradiction that there is no political office holder, past or present of Uyo origin that has significantly touched and impacted on the lives and fortunes of Uyo people in general and Atan Offot.
In particular, like Prince Enobong Uwah, Elder Okon who holds the Chieftaincy title of Iberedem Uyo, disclosed that, Prince Uwah has given job opportunities to hundreds of Uyo indigenes through the Green Brigade and other outlets including the Private sector without blowing his trumpet.
He also revealed that since 2007 when he was appointed Senior Special Assistant to Governor Godswill Obot Akpabio on Protocol Matters, Abuja Liaison Office, till date, Prince Enobong Uwah has given out 48 cars to Uyo people across the wards without fanfare and challenged any Uyo person living or dead who has done even half of this to contradict him.
In addition, Elder Okon maintained that countless indigenous persons have received various forms of empowerment, financial support to pay school fees, assist in burials, weddings, child blessing ceremonies etc and has not been singing his praises.
On the issue of the Uyo State Constituency elections of 2011 which Prince Uwah lost, Elder Okon dismissed insinuations that he is holding that against anybody, much more his kith and kin of Atan Offot adding that, it should be remembered that Prince Uwah made history when he became the first loser of an election who nevertheless held a Thank You rally at Autopak Premises beside Champion Breweries Aka Nung Udoe road where he publicly thanked the people of Uyo congratulated his opponent, ate and dined with them and called for unity that he haboured no bitterness in his heart.
He disclosed that, Prince Uwah went ahead to appreciate his campaign team for their hardwork and attributed the experience to the will of God.
While reminding all that Prince Uwah in emulating Her Excellency, Ekaette Unoma Akpabio in building a two bedroom bungalow for a widow in Atan Offot also opened up that Prince Uwah had publicly set up a revolving scheme of empowerment for Uyo women where he has put in over 5million Naira to enable them set up small scale businesses and trade.
On the issue of Atan Offot Roads, Elder Okon revealed that Prince Uwah has done all he can to draw the attention of the State Government to the road and assured that as Government is a continum, something will be done about it as the State Government is committed to the betterment of all parts of Akwa Ibom including Atan Offot, and added that at his level Commissioner Uwah has graded roads in Atan single-handedly even as he awaits the ultimate intervention of the State which he said, is a sure and steady mill that grinds slowly but surely to positively transform the state.
Elder Okon said the generosity of Prince Uwah is unprecedented in Uyo and that he has proven to be a true disciple of his boss, Governor Akpabio, who he noted is also a cheerful giver.
Also speaking on the issue, Mr Joseph Sergeant a.k.a Utang Akwa Ibom said he was not surprised at the cheap blackmail, arguing that this is election period and opponents who are desperate can only resort to cheap blackmail in false hope that they will smear a young man who he described as the Poster Boy and darling son of Uyo.
Utang Akwa Ibom said that, the full complement of Offot clan Council, Uyo Traditional Rulers Council led by the Paramount Ruler, HRM Edidem Surv. Edem Silas Akpan graced his 45th birthday celebration with the people of Uyo in their thousands was proof, Prince Uwah has paid his dues and earned the trust, confidence and love of his people.
He added that, there is no doubt those who are disgruntled and threatened by the rising profile of Prince Uwah, will resort to false propaganda in defeated hope that they will bring him down.
On his part, the Editor in Chief of The Waves Newspaper, Mr Ephraim Ikpe, who is also an indigent of Uyo, asserted that, Commissioner Uwah is in his honest assessment, the best political figure to have ever emerged in Uyo.
Ikpe noted that, it will however be unfair to think that within his limited capacity, he can do everything or satisfy everybody, maintaining that even President Jonathan with all the powers and resources at his disposal cannot satisfy everybody.
He expressed hope that someday soon, Uyo people will honour this worthy son for the countless good things he has done for them.
When contacted, the Media Aide to the Commissioner, Mr Ahirika, said Prince Uwah was unperturbed and will not be distracted by falsehood and smear campaigns.
Ahirika stated that, Prince Uwah’s sole focus and commitment is to serve Governor Godswill Akpabio, dutifully and loyally and play his part in actualizing the lofty vision of the governor’s Uncommon Transformation Agenda in the Environment and Mineral Resources sector, harping that nothing else mattered to him for now.
He called on the people of uyo and Akwa Ibom in general to shine their eyes and sieve genuine reportage from false, unfounded and fictitious campaigns of calumny by desperate persons or their sponsors dressed as news, adding that, this will serve as the only response to such unfounded stories.