As the forthcoming general elections draw closer, the political leader of Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom, Obong Michael Afangideh, has sued for peace among political gladiators in the state.
Afangideh, who is also the Grand Patron of Light of Peace for Africa Foundation (LPAF), a non-governmental organization, gave the advice recently while addressing a press conference at his residence in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area.
He said it became imperative for youths in the state to eschew every form of rancour which could inhibit the growth and development of the state.
The politician cum businessman who said for the state to witness meaningful development in all spheres, called on the people especially the youths to allow peace reign in the state.
The Grand Patron said he was optimistic that Akwa Ibom State would experience unprecedented development in time to come, soliciting the cooperation of every indigene of the state in driving the peace that would bring about this development.
Read also: Cultists Lay Down Arms, Embrace Peace In Akwa Ibom Community
Earlier, the President and Founder of LPAF, Mr. Samuel F. Sampson, had said the conference was organised to announce a new date of May 19, 2022, for the official inauguration of the foundation, fund raising and the building of international skills acquisition centres in the three senatorial districts of the state.
Sampson said the event earlier slated for May 5, was postponed owing to the busy schedules of the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), Senator Walid Jubrin who was billed to be the Special Guest of Honour.
According to him, “At this juncture, I deem it proper to inform all invitees, special invitees and the general public that due to unavoidable circumstances owing to the sudden recent changes in the calendar of our Special Guest of Honour, Senator Dr. Walid Jubrin, OON, NPOM, Chairman, Board of Trustees of the PDP, and after due consultation, the event has been postponed to the 19th of May, 2022, to accommodate him.”
While apologising to the public for the inconveniences in the new date, the NGO founder said the Grand Patron used the occasion to extend invitation to everyone across party lines to the special event, stressing that this was in line with his fatherly disposition and his undaunted stance to see the state united for more development.
“The Grand Patron of this foundation, Obong Michael Afangideh, having seen the need to maintain peace in our state, has extended invitation to everyone in the state across party lines, since he is the father of all in the state. His passion is to see the state united, and that is why this event is for all; whether you are contesting election or not. Join him to maintain the peace and development in the state,” he noted.
Sampson stated that the international skills acquisition centres expected to be established in the three senatorial districts primarily to reach the rural people in the state, would be named after Governor Udom Emmanuel, Obong Michael Afangideh and Obong (Engr.) Stephen Udofia.
He dismissed the notion that the naming of the centres after these icons had no political undertone in it, but was a way of immortalising their contributions to peace and development in the state.
The President who said the centres would not only become a rallying point in training youths in various skills and also equipping them upon completion of training, but also a scholarship programme would be instituted to help indigent students in the state, while assuring that all the processes beginning from issuance of forms to training would be free.
He explained that the expected event was inspired to complement the effort of Governor Udom Emmanuel in maintaining peace and also developing the state in building infrastructure, expressing optimism that the event would afford the foundation another opportunity to advocate for a peaceful conduct of the electorate themselves during the elections.
The foundation used the occasion to appreciate Governor Emmanuel for his initiative aimed at bringing unity to the state, as well as the Fathers-in-Faith in the state for their support and encouragement when it paid a consultation visit to them.
The President who also appreciated the Grand Patron for standing by the NGO in the last 10 years, described him as a man whom he had benefited from his goodwill across the state.
“We cannot forget the support of our patron, Obong Michael Afangideh who has stood by us for the past ten years to ensure the NGO has strong footings.”
The foundation is also involved in activities such as supporting and caring for the needy and the less privileged through donations, giving scholarships, embarking on advocacies and campaigns, among others.
As part of its programme on peace building, the NGO has trained 150 youths across Nigeria in various skills and plans are underway to train more youths when the international skills acquisition centres would have taken off.
