Two key projects worth millions of Naira and constructed by the family of Obong Alexander Udo Unwa Ekpo, the clan head of Adat Ifang in Ukanafun Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State have been inaugurated.
As a way of giving to the society, two families of Adat Ifang Clan – the Clan Head’s family of Ikot Edem Ewa built a Police Station and handed over to Nigeria Police Force, while the family of Dick Ukutt of Ikot Udo- donated the land.
In addition, the Clan Head’s family built and completed Adat Ifang Clan Council hall.
Adat Ifang Clan with 16 villages is one of the neglected by the government in terms of development in addition to be being turned to a haven of insecurity.
At the inauguration ceremony of the police station last Friday, the Ukanafun Transition Chairman, Mr. Godwin Ekpe welcomed the Akwa Ibom Police Commissioner, Mr. Olatoye Durosinmi to the area, and thanked the Clan Head of Adat Ifang for giving back to his people.
Ekpe who commended the people of the area for standing by the clan head tasked other clan heads in the area to emulate him whom he described as a father figure.
Acknowledging that the police station and the Clan council hall projects would improve the economic status of the people of Adat Ifang, he pledged to sink borehole at the police station.
The Police Commissioner, Mr Olatoye Durosinmi lauded the efforts of the Ukutt family for donating the land and the Clan Head’s family for erecting a befitting Police Station.
‘‘When I was in Imo State someone built and donated a police station. I am happy an individual has replicated a similar project in Akwa Ibom. Whoever builds or does anything for police is doing so for God. The Bible says except the Lord watches over the house, the watchman watches in vain. You are doing all for God. You will regret what you are doing. As soon as we commission this edifice, it will become the property of this clan and that of Ukanafun.
‘‘I want the people to take it as their own project. Forget about the attacks by people. You are the ones who will make the police comfortable. Everybody is struggling to come to Ikot Akpan Abia. We give them the necessary information. It is not only this family that will do it but everybody. Government alone cannot do everything.
‘‘Individuals must lend a helping hand as done by this family. Security is everyman’s business. We commend the state government for recruiting 500 people for Akwa Ibom Security Neighbourhood Watch. We will recruit 500 people from Ukanafun Local Government Area too. The recruits will work, live and be accommodated here.
‘‘We will commence recruitment next January. Once you are qualified, you will be employed. Once we have a letter of recommendation from the traditional rulers that you are a person of good character, we pick you. In addition to the recruitment, the Nigeria Police Academy is for everyone. Once you pass School Certificate with credits in English Language and Mathematics, you are qualified to apply,’’ he stated.
Durosinmi who announced to convert the police station to a Divisional Police headquarters after approval of the Inspector-General of Police later inaugurated the project.
Highlight was the inauguration of the Clan Council hall by Akuku (Engr) Amos Daniel Akpan, the Paramount Ruler of Ukanafun.
Speaking at the ceremony, Victor Ukutt, a legal practitioner said it was appalling how some youths have been blatantly taking laws into their hands through daylight brigandage, thus fuelling insecurity in the area.
Ukutt whose family donated land for the police station cited a case a young man went and harvested another man’s palm fruits while he was daring to deal with the owner if he would come down to meet him complaining.
He expressed the hope that the police station would curtail the past insecurity infractions in the clan and in the area.
Another community leader, Mr. Emmanuel Etukudo thanked the Clan Head’s family for building the two projects and asked the people to emulate the gesture.
Etukudo who is a retired secondary school Vice Principal appealed to the people in the clan to support the Clan Head, urging the youths to refrain from social vices that would stop plunging the clan into further underdevelopment.
Earlier, the Clan Head of Adat Ifang, Obong Unwa Ekpo, had announced that his foundation would offer scholarships to 16 indigenes from the 16 villages in the clan to study at Standard Institute of Technology, Uyo and at Sure Foundation Polytechnic, Ikot Akai, Ukanafun as a way of empowering them to improve their socio-economic status.
