By Aniefiok Christopher
In the spirit of the Yuletide, the Raffia City Elders Forum (RACEF) organised its 2023 end-of-year dinner and rewarded excellence on Sunday at 4 Points by Sheraton Hotel & Towers, Ikot Ekpene.
The Forum made up of eminent personalities from Ikot Ekpene/Essien Udim/Obot Akara Federal Constituency and beyond seized the opportunity to reward an Assistant Commissioner of Police and Officer in charge of Ikot Ekpene Area Command, Mr. Ogbonna Okoronkwo for his hard work and dedication to duty.
Among the dignitaries at the dinner party were the President of the Forum and Proprietor of Ritman University, Ikot Ekpene, Senator Emmanuel Ibokessien, the State Commissioner for Power, Engr Camillus Umoh, a former member of the National Assembly and Secretary of RACEF, Hon. Sunyiekekere Inokon, a Judge of the State High Court, Justice Gabriel Ette and the House of Assembly member for Essien Udim, Barr. Prince Ukpong Akpabio.
Equally present at the event held last Sunday were the Chairman, Ibom Power Company, Engr. Etido Inyang; House of Assembly Member for Ikot Ekpene/Obot Akara, Hon. Jerry Otu; the Vice President of RACEF, Abom Tony Esu, a former Commissioner in the state, Pastor Sunny Ibuot and current Transition Committee Chairman for Ikot Ekpene, Mr. John Clayton Udoh, among others.
Speaking at the event, the President of RACEF, Senator Emmanuel Ibokessien said RACEF is made up of senior citizens of 55 years and above who have contributed to the growth and development of Ikot Ekpene, popularly known as the Raffia City.
Iboekessien said the members must have retired from the service or have reached the apex of their career, resident in Ikot Ekpene or have houses in Ikot Ekpene and are graduates in their chosen areas of specialisation.
According to him, the forum is out to ensure the peace, stability and coexistence of Ikot Ekpene, Essien Udim and Obot Akara Local Government Areas, as well as to interface with government on issues of development to the Federal Constituency.
The RACEF boss hinted that the forum has already undertaken some projects, but appealed to the state government through Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Office in Uyo to rehabilitate the Ikot Ekpene Library, which is in a state of dilapidation.
Speaking further, Ibokessien stated that the body is also interfacing with government on the completion of ongoing road projects undergoing construction in the area.
He thanked security chiefs in Ikot Ekpene for responding to their calls which have culminated in the peace and stability currently being enjoyed in the area.
Welcoming the guests, the State Commissioner for Power and Planning Committee Chairman of the 2023 dinner party, Dr. Camillus Umoh described RACEF as a conglomerate of senior citizens whose lives and career have impacted positively on not only the people, but also their immediate environment.
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He, therefore, called on the guests and members to sit well, relax and enjoy the ambience of the hotel, hinting that the night was not for long speeches, but a night for members to entertain themselves and exchange pleasantries.
The high point of the event was the presentation of an excellence award to ACP Ogbonna Okoronkwo who is the Area Commander in charge of Ikot Ekpene Command of the Nigeria Police Force.
Receiving the award, Mr Okoronkwo thanked the leadership of RACEF for the award, adding that the award would spur him to do more by ensuring that residents of Ikot Ekpene could go to sleep with their two eyes closed.
Other speakers at the evening event included Prof. Felicia Etim and Engr Etido Inyang, who in their separate remarks, thanked RACEF for the ingenuity behind the August gathering.
The guests, including the political class, the academia among other professionals were later treated to good tunes from the Raffia City Band and sumptuous meals by waiters from 4 Points by Sheraton.
RACEF visits St Mary’s Hospital, Urua Akpan
Meanwhile, the Raffia City Elders Forum (RACEF) last Thursday donated cash gifts to offset medical bills of patients undergoing treatment at St. Mary’s Hospital, Urua Akpan in Afaha, Essien Udim Local Government Area.
Making the presentations to patients in the maternity and children wards, accident/emergency and the intensive care units of the hospital, the President of RACEF, Engr Emmanuel Ibokessien said the gesture was in adherence to the Biblical injunction in Matthew 25:42-43, where Jesus Christ instructed Christians to visit the sick and give succour to the needy ones among them.
Speaking through his Vice, Abom Tony Esu, the Chairman of the Forum said beyond the cash donations, the visit was intended to accord the patients psychological and emotional therapy, of which he believes will quicken their recovery from the ailments.
Esu had earlier in his remarks hinted that a sizable number of RACEF members, made up of eminent personalities from Ikot Ekpene/Essien Udim/Obot Akara Federal Constituency were given birth to at the hospital, hence the visit, which was more of a home coming.
Among other members of the forum present at the visit were Hon. Sunyiekekere Inokon, a former NASS member and Secretary General of RACEF; Justice Gabriel Ette, Barr. Imowo Okpokpo, a former Legal Adviser of PDP in Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Mark Umoh, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Justice Ekerette Ebieyie and Barr. Cosmas Udoette.
While commending the current management for their untiring efforts to keep the hospital afloat, Abom Esu urged them to consider the need to partner with the State government with the view to restoring the lost glory of the hospital which was a renowned health centre back in days of the Eastern Region.
Responding, the Administrator of St Mary’s Hospital, Urua Akpan, Rev. Fr. Primus Umoh said the visit was unprecedented in the 71 years of the hospital’s existence and therefore thanked the members of RACEF for coming to associate with the sick.
The Administrator who spoke through Rev. Fr. Patrick Ekpo said the hospital has, over the years, undergone different challenges and therefore made a passionate appeal to RACEF, individuals and corporate organizations to assist the hospital in reclaiming its lost glory as a major health centre then in the defunct Eastern Region.
He seized the opportunity to thank Sir Joseph Uwah, a philanthropist from the area, whom the priest said is already helping to pay for deliveries and urged others to emulate the gesture.
Rev. Fr. Ekpo explained that the hospital has so far maintained its record of running one of the best laboratories, headed by an Indian, Rev. Sister Reni Anthony, adding that the hospital has been given approval to commence the Bishop Etukudo College of Health with just three Departments, for a start.
The priest maintained that the hospital’s intension is to expand beyond maternity care to include other health programmes. He therefore thanked the forum for the visit and financial support given to the patients and staff members of the hospital and prayed God to replenish their efforts.
Equally present during the visit were Hon Itoro Etim, Afaha Ward 2 PDP Chairman, Welfare Chairman of St. Mary’s Hospital staffers, Mr. Sampson among other PDP stalwarts from the area.
