Akwa Ibom governor Udom Emmanuel has chided some people who are in the habit of branding the elderly as witches and wizards in order to deny them the welfare and care they rightly deserve.
Emmanuel, who was the special guest of honour at the birthday thanksgiving and books presentation for Mkpisong Ememobong Essien, condemned some young people who dub and abandon their aged parents under the guise of being witches and wizards.
Represented by the state deputy governor, Mr. Moses Ekpo, the governor who spoke Monday at Ibom Hall grounds, Uyo wondered why those elderly persons were not witches when they were suffering to cater for their children but suddenly became witches and wizards when the children should be catering for them.
“It is disheartening to see some children dub their aged parents as witches. The same parents who took care of them all through their youthful age,” the Governor lamented.
Governor Emmanuel chided the ill-will children and youngsters who have failed in their responsibilities of fending for their aged parents and the elderly around them.
He urged members of the society to take a cue from the children of Mkpisong Ememobong Essien who have proved themselves role models in the care for their aged parents as demonstrated in the luxurious 80th birthday celebration for their father.
The governor congratulated Essien on his 80th birthday, describing him as one of those strong pillars behind the birth of Akwa Ibom State and the progenitor of the Akwa Ibom Elderly Citizens Assembly, a group that has championed the cause of the elderly in the society.
The celebrator, Mkpisong Essien, expressed thanks to God for keeping him alive to see his children and grand children and also exhibited great joy and happiness for the large crowd of friends and people that turned up to celebrate with him as he marks his 80th birthday.
Speaking one the sons of Ememobong Essien, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Comrade Ini Ememobong thanked to God for the life of their father who within his years on earth has been an Evangelist, Preacher, Councillor, Psychologist, Disciplinarian and Mentor to so many.
The information boss said, the strict discipline life of their father made them what they are today and gave a sounding ovation to his father, Mkpisong Ememobong Essien as he clocks 80 and wished him many fruitful years in good health.
The state Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Glory Edet felicitated Essien on his books presentation on behalf of the Commissioners and Special Advisers and wished him many more years of mentorship.
Goodwill messages were presented by some dignitaries at the occasion, included DIG Udom Ekpoudom (retd), who unveiled and presented the two books: What About the Aged and The Power of Mentorship, which were reviewed by two academic scholars including Dr. Aniekan Brown.
