Gen Etukudo Knocks Nduese Essien for condemning Gov Udom on Anniversary; Hails Achievements

By The Evangelist edition
October 1, 2022.

As activities for the 35th anniversary of the creation of Akwa Ibom State continues, a renowned leader in the State and former Director General of Standard Organization of Nigeria, General Anthony Etukudo, rtd says Governor Udom Emmanuel has made Eket proud with the quantum of projects that have been commissioned as part of the anniversary.
Speaking to newsmen in his country home at Eket on the anniversary activities, the Otuekong Akwa Ibom said the tremendous achievements of the Udom Emmanuel’s administration make the celebration worthwhile, noting that commissioning of the projects during the anniversary has made bold statement to the world in terms of peace and developmental strides of the governor.
The Atta of Eket, however, strongly condemned the comments credited to a former minister of Lands and Housing, Chief Nduese Essien that celebrating the State’s anniversary is a waste of public funds.
General Etukudo said Chief Nduese Essien is on a frolic of his own, and completely dissociates the people of Eket from Chief Essien’s comments.
According to the General, celebrating the anniversary is “one of the ways of showcasing the State to attract development. Governor Udom Emmanuel is showing the world that there is peace in Akwa Ibom State.
“Some of those States Chief Essien alluded to cannot celebrate their anniversary not because they would not have loved to, but because they don’t have what to show for and they are faced with security challenges and cannot host such high-profile dignitaries for whereas Akwa Ibom is very safe for everyone courtesy of Governor Udom Emmanuel,” he averred.
He expressed disappointment that a leader like Chief Essien who has unhindered access to the governor could choose to send advice to him through the media, noting that his style and timing of communication with the governor is very suspicious.
” If he is sincere about the skewed advice, why did he not reach out to the governor privately except he has ulterior motives,” General Etukudo queried.
He continued: “Chief Nduese Essien should look for a better reason to stay back from activities of the State’s anniversary rather than blame his absence on the anniversary celebration.”
When pressed further why he did not attend, the General said: “As a person who appreciates what Governor Udom Emmanuel is doing for the State, I could have attended the celebration on the 23rd of September but when I was told it was at the Nest of Champions, I considered that it will be stressful for me to climb up and down so I didn’t attend but I sent my best wishes to the governor for a successful programme. That doesn’t take away the fact that I love what the governor is doing in the State.”
He wondered why Chief Nduese Essien who is a beneficiary of several government contracts for the construction of internal roads and other projects in Eket and environs should be the person looking for where public funds is expended.
The former Director General of Standard Organization of Nigeria, SON said Chief Essien is giving an erroneous impression of the anniversary. “The anniversary is not just about celebration. It is about thanksgiving; appreciating God for the gift of this State, and spiced with commissioning commissioning of projects. This makes it justifiable for us to celebrate. Udom has invested in the State. Look at Ibom Air, industries, 21-storey smart building among others. He is still on course and will surely leave this State better than he met it. Udom is our own, and we are proud of him,” he noted.
The General wondered why a man who served in the national assembly but could not make laws to stop the federal government from celebrating Armed Forces Rememberance Day, Nigeria’s independence Day and other numerous global anniversaries but criticizing the celebration of the anniversary of Akwa Abasi Ibom State.
“His action has dragged the name of Eket in the mud. We condemn it in totality. He has chosen a wrong way to attract attention to himself. He should not take the peace in the State for granted, and should allow us to celebrate our anniversary,” General Etukudo advised.
It could be recalled that the former Minister of Lands and Housing, Chief Nduese Essien, in an interview with a national daily, had condemned the Akwa Ibom State Government for celebrating the anniversary of the State. That newspaper reported that Chief Essien condemned the celebration, tagging it waste of public fund. He added that other States do not celebrate their anniversaries any longer, saying he cannot attend such programme because it is not a priority for him.
This comment, his kinsmen kicked against heavily, and said that is his personal opinion, erroneously though.