By ETIM ETIM
I am gratified to learn that at State’s Executive Council meeting held Thursday, April 2, the government approved the expansion Nung Udoe – Afaha Offiong – Ikot Imo – Itreto Road to a six-lane expressway. The road passes in foront of my father’s house in Nung Udoe where I was born and grew up as a child. I walked this road to primary school, market, stream,farm, church and everywhere. It’s the only road I knew and used as a child. The others were just footpaths. But it was a dirt road then that connected and still connects Nung Udoe to Eket; Etinan; East-West Road and PH.
As children, we played on this road under the moonlight. It was sandy, but smooth and there were very few vehicles on it then. I still have fond memories of those lorries with inscriptions: ‘’Money Hard’’; ‘’Usoro Bros’’; ‘’Let the Good Times Roll’’, plying this road before the war. They carried palm oil; palm kernel and other produce to Aba and PH. As kids, we were fascinated by the constant movement of these vehicles and we had fun shouting out the inscriptions and number plates they carried. Another lorry, with inscription ‘’Endurance and Hope’’ and plate number, LR 1145, always returned in the evenings to my father’s compound. It belonged him and was the only fleet in his pre-war transportation business.
When Idongesit Nkanga was appointed military governor in 1991, he got the road tarred for the first time. Nkanga’s country home lies just about three or four kilometer from my father’s house. Motorists practically turned the road into a race track, and many car crashes were, unfortunately, recorded.
Now, this road will become a six-lane expressway, wider than the four-lane Uyo-Nung Udoe Road constructed by the Akpabio administration. I am grateful to Gov. Umo Eno. This will become one of his signature road projects. Thank you, Mr. Governor, for sending your ARISE Agenda to my native hometown.
Uyo receives Umo Eno
I have just been informed that some leading lights in Uyo Senatorial District have begun preparations to organize a befitting reception for their illustrious son, Pastor Umo Eno, next month. It would be a big event with many components, comprising culture, politics, tradition and socials. It would be grand, flamboyant, spectacular and classy. You can trust Uyo to do big, colorful events.
The Central Planning Committee, I understand, is made up of SSG Enobong Uwah; Senator Effiong Bob; Hon. Kenneth Okon and other key leaders. This has been long in coming and I commend all the stakeholders involved for their thoughtfulness. Gov. Eno has done Uyo proud for his achievements. The peace and harmony he has brought to the state is priceless and unprecended. He is an authentic Ibibio son who typically sees the whole state as one, united constituency. It was another Ibibio son, Obong (Arc) Victor Attah, who initiated the rotation of the governorship office among the three senatorial districts to foster harmonious and peaceful coexistence. Gov. Eno’s Akwa Ibom United ingenuity has further deepened the bond, fellowship sand sense of togetherness among the people. This reception will be a good opportunity for his kindred in Uyo to appreciate him.
I first heard of the idea for this reception from Dr. Ita Udosen around October last year. Since then, discussions have moved from one quarter to another, and now, we have a date! I look forward to this party. Uyo Nnyin! Uyo Mkpaeto!
ETIM ETIM is a veteran journalist and PR professional with over 35 years of cognate experience.
He is the publisher and editor-in-chief of Policy & Politics (www.policyandpolitics.com.ng), an online newspaper dedicated to insightful analysis of Nigerian news and world’s report. He is also a columnist with BusinessDay and The Cable and is a regular contributor to other newspapers.
Contact: +234802 3159969 (WhatsApp Only)
