The
Chairman of Cross River State Water Board Limited, Ntufam Ekpo Okon has urged
well meaning Cross Riverians, nay Nigerians to support groups whose activities
engender societal development.
Ntufam
Okon made the assertion during of the scholarship/fund raising ceremony of Nka
Ukpono Isong Efik, Efut Ye Abakpa, held recently at the Conference Room of the
College of Health Technology, Mary Slessor Avenue, Calabar.
According
to him: “What is worth doing is worth doing well. What has been done and
identified to be right needs to be sustained and supported.”
“I
think my experience today has given me more reason to support you. I urge
others who have shared in this vision and other well-meaning Nigerians that the
Association is deserving of our support,” Ntufam Okon enthused.
Presenting
the award to beneficiaries, the former PDP State Chairman charged the
beneficiaries to continue to be leading lights in their academic pursuit and
not betray the trust that has been reposed on them by the socio-cultural group.
“For
the children, among their peers, they have been identified for this kind of
consideration. It is a special obligation to them that beyond even their
families, a segment of the society has found them worthy of investment and
therefore, expectations are high. Nobody invest without expectation. That means
the segment of the society that has found you worthy of such investment is also
expected of dividends of such investment, which would be largely to their own
interest,” he remarked.
Receiving
his award, Ntufam Okon also urged fellow recipients of the award to continue
contributing to community development and capacity building for the younger
generation.
“For
us who have been so honoured, the same thing goes that to whom much is given,
much is expected. Whatever was the basis for which we were recognized for this
award, it is incumbent on us to do more to sustain whatever has given us this
consideration,” an elated Okon added.
Earlier
in his remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, Chief Edet E. Etim expressed
delight in the Association’s gesture, adding that assisting children acquire
education is like “building mansions in kingdom come.” He assured the
Association of his support and called on them to keep on the good work.
In
an address, the President of the Association, Ukpono Oton Felix Nakanda expressed
delight in the Association’s achievement throughout its fourteen years of existence.
Ukpono Nakanda stated that Nka Ukpono Isong Efik, Efut Ye Abakpa is poised to
assist the younger generation acquire formal and informal education through its
scholarship scheme, adding that they also provide support for the aged and
orphanages. He solicited for more support from well-meaning individuals,
corporate bodies and government for the sustenance of such projects in the
future.
Articulating
his views, the Special Assistant to the Commissioner for Information &
Orientation and member of the Association, Ukpono Effanga Orok said the
Association’s gesture has given him renewed hope for the future of the youths
and the younger generation. He further enjoined youths to always engage
themselves in profitable ventures and contribute their quota to the betterment
of the society.
The
event climaxed with award of scholarship to Daniel Maurice of Government
Science School, Ikot Nakanda – Akpabuyo, Elisha Asuquo of Government Secondary
School, Lagos Street – Calabar, felix Umoh Ekpo and Ntiero Ekpe , both of
Government Secondary School, Uwanse – Calabar. Awards of excellence were also
given to deserving members of the society who have blazed the trail in
different endeavours and contributed to community development, notably the
Chairman of Cross River Water Board Limited, Ntufam Ekpo Okon, the Chairman of
the People’s Democratic Party, Ntufam Edim Inok Edim, member of the Cross River
State House of Assembly, Hon. Efa Esua, Sen. Prince Bassey Out, Hon. Alysus Ene
(KSM), among others.
Kingsley Agim
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