Mayhem, killings, maiming and arson plaguing Etim Ekpo and Ukanafun local government areas in Akwa Ibom State have been heaped on the shoulders of desperate, immature and misguided politicians who armed the youths during the previous elections in the areas.
So far, the armed youths have wrecked havoc in the areas that snowballed into senseless killing of thousands, kidnappings and rapes of many as well as destruction of hundreds of residential houses and market stalls.
Udom Udo Ekpoudom, the retired Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), stated this Thursday when he played host to a group of young men and women under the aegis of Afe Mkparawa Annang.
Ekpoudom recalled that prior to the 2015 election he had warned severally on the need for politicians to avoid engaging cultists and arming young people for the purpose of winning elections.
The experienced retired crime officer said the boys, who were armed and are now left to fend for themselves by their masters since election is over, know no other means of surviving than to deploy the weapons in their possession to make life miserable for people of the State.
He, therefore, advised the youths not to allow themselves to be used as tools for the perpetration of violence.
Ekpoudom enjoined “The elections are coming again and you have another opportunity to elect only credible, God fearing leaders who will serve you well and move this state forward.
“I admonish you not to support or vote for anyone you know is involved in cultism or anyone involved in giving weapons to persons who will cause trouble. Make sure you all defend our common heritage by standing for what is good all the times and shunning evil.
“Urging the youths to get their Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) and mobilise their fellow compatriots to do same, he said this was the only way for them to employ democratic and legal means to put in place a government that will benefit everyone.”
As a retired crime buster, DIG Ekpoudom said he is never comfortable anywhere there is crime assuring the leadership and members of the group that he will continue to encourage efforts that will lead to reduction in crimes and provide a congenial society where everyone will be able to realize their ambitions.
The retired DIG who is also the chairman, Board of Governors, Tower of Ivory Schools revealed that the reason he retired and returned back to his home State of Akwa Ibom is to engage in entrepreneurship, and employ young indigenes of the State.
He said one of the surest means of reducing youth restiveness and crime is to create employment for energetic young people.
Speaking earlier, the National President of Afe Mkparawa Annang, Adede Prince Uduak Akpan said they were in the office of DIG Ekpoudom to confer on him the chairmanship of the Board of Trustees of the group.
According to him, they have followed his antecedents in mentoring and offering opportunities to young person in order that they will excel, his commitment to a united, peaceful Annang nation and found him worthy to guide the group in all their undertakings.
The National President noted that DIG Ekpoudom’s vast experience will be a pool of wisdom from which the young people of Annang must drink from to be able to achieve their dreams.
“We are confident that we will be well guided by you to become great and that is why we have conferred on you the position of BOT chairman. We salute you for your investments in the lives of youths through creation of employment in your school and other sectors.
“We assure you of our unflinching support to enable you continue to serve our people better” he said.
The International President said they are sure that DIG Ekpoudom will assist them to accomplish more empowerment programmes for youths in Annang nation adding that “already we have trained youths in various skills through personal efforts; we are currently training some of them on ICT and have empowered school children with over 6,000 customised exercise books”.
The president on behalf of Afe Mkparawa Annang wished the retired DIG better health, grace, wisdom and prosperity in the years ahead as he marked his birthday yesterday.
The ceremony was witnessed by the wife of DIG Ekpoudom, Lady Dorothy Ekpoudom, his son, Engr. Ebong Ekpoudom, Staff of his schools and the leadership of Afe Mkparawa Annang.
-Sensor
