By Prince Bassey, UYO-

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The Ati Annang Foundation, a foremost socio-cultural organization and frontline crusader of the Akwa Ibom unity project has inducted the Akwa Ibom State PDP Chairman, Obong Paul Ekpo and the State PDP Legal Adviser, Obong (Barr) Goddy Umoh into their fold.

In their acceptance speeches, the Chairman and Legal Adviser expressed their appreciation to the organization for the honour done them especially for their support to the administration of Governor Udom Emmanuel and restated that Eket Senatorial District having produced the Governor in 2015 must complete their 8 years tenure in tandem with the zoning formula in the state. They maintained that the party would continue to partner with the organization and other groups to take the State to its envisaged destination.

Speaking also, the Publicity Secretary of the PDP in the state, Comrade Ini Ememobong said he was delighted with the existing unity between the different ethnic groups in the state and solicited for their support to administration of Governor Udom Emmanuel, harping on the Governor’s excellent leadership capabilities, which he said has manifested in the democratic deliverables in the state.

Earlier, the International President of the foundation and member representing Oruk Anam State Constituency at the State Assembly, Sir Udo Kierian Akpan had said that the foundation is committed to deploying both human and material resources at her disposal to build bridges of unity across the State through effective partnership and collaboration with other socio-cultural groups and individuals for the speedy growth of the State through effective partnership with captains of industries all over the world.

He revealed that those inducted were carefully selected purely on merit as associate members and congratulated the inductees, maintaining that the foundation is proud to be associated with them for the successes they have recorded in their different areas of calling and wished that the induction shall spur them up to put in more energy in their effort to serving their community and Akwa Ibom State better.

Other personalities inducted included the Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt Hon (Barr) Onofiok Luke, Rt. Hon. Princess Felicia Bassey, Deputy Speaker, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Hon. Emmanuel Ekpenyong Bassey, Chief Whip, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly and Hon. Frank Archibong, Chairman, Eket Local Government Council, amongst others.

The ceremony which was part of the activities of the Foundation’s Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting had in attendance other high profile dignitaries including members of the State House of Assembly, former Commissioners, Transition Committee Chairmen, Traditional Chiefs, other socio-cultural organizations, women and youth groups and other political office holders from Annang extraction.

The meeting which was held at the Ikot Ekpene Council Hall, was chaired by the International President of the Foundation, Rt. Hon. Udo Kierien Akpan, and deliberated extensively on crucial issues bothering on State and National development, provision of qualitative life enhancement services in the areas of education, sports development, healthcare as well as technological advancement to support the Government of Akwa Ibom State.

The induction ceremony was performed by the Chairman, Board of Trustees, Sir Emem Akpabio and the International President, Rt. Hon. Udo Kierien Akpan.