As he prepares to bow out of the ministry, Mr. Udo Ekpenyong, Akwa Ibom Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, has attributed his success to God’s grace, commitment to task, humility, the sincerity of purpose and goodwill from the people.
The commissioner stated this Monday when staffers of the ministry rolled out drums to celebrate him over what they termed as his impacting and people-oriented disposition during his sojourn in the ministry.
Ekpenyong who served in the ministry for more than four years is tipped to succeed Obong Paul Ekpo as the next Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, Akwa Ibom Chapter during the state congress of the party billed for Thursday at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.
He praised God for His enduring grace and love to him over the years, and charged the staffers to be steadfast in the things of God and humanity as well as be humble and sincere in whatever is committed to their hands.
Mr. Mbuk Inyang, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, described Ekpenyong as a caring father, boss, mentor, and leader with rare motivating sense to staff, noting that his exit from the ministry was viewed as that of celebration and missing.
Describing his exit from the ministry as a glorious movement from grace to grace, Inyang on behalf of the staffers presented a drawn portrait, a Holy Bible and Hymn book to the Commissioner noted that he will greatly be missed.
The officiating minister of the day’s valedictory weekly prayer meeting, Pastor Chris Essien described Ekpenyong’s exit from the ministry to another place of assignment as God’s will and pay off of his (Ekpenyong’s) diligence and goodwill.
In his homily tagged: Finishing Strong, Pastor Essien said the grace to finish stronger comes from God to men who sincerely submit themselves to the services of God and humanity.
The clergyman who read from Philippians 1:6 and 2Timothy 4:6 -7, prayed God’s grace and wisdom to the leadership of the State at all levels, particularly the Governor and the Commissioner.
