Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom has described the President of Akwa Elderly Citizens Assembly, Mkpisong Ememobong Essien as a personality whose contributions to the creation of the state and its growth remained a source of inspiration.
Emmanuel stated this at Mkpisong Essien’s 80th birthday celebration thanksgiving and presentation of books in Uyo.
The Governor, who was a special guest of honour on the event, noted that at 80 years, Essien has made Akwa Ibom people proud through his wise counselling and public service to the state.
The Mkpisong is the father of Comrade Ini Ememobong, Commissioner for Information and Strategy in the State.
The Governor who was representated by his Deputy, Mr. Moses Ekpo noted the immense contributions of Mkpisong Essien to the struggle that led to the creation of Cross River State from the CORE state movement and later Akwa Ibom State from the former Cross River state, remained indelible in the history of the state.
On his part, the Deputy Governor, himself the Life Patron of Akwa Ibom Elderly Citizens Assembly, described Mkpisong Essien as a true friend and kind-hearted from whom he has drawn some inspirations to serve the state.
He praised Mkpisong Essien’s children for not despising their father at old age, adding that the depth of love saw to the good health and strength of the Mkpisong even at 80 years.
Ekpo however frowned at children who brand and despise their parents as witches at old age, described them as “cursed” In her goodwill message also, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr Glory Edet poured encomiums on the patriarch describing him as a Pathfinder to the present generation and an epitome of knowledge.
Edet, who is also the Dean of Commissioners in the state, and who led other Commissioners to the event, applauded Essien’s children for always rallying round their father and celebrating him while alive, praying God to bless them bountifully.
Mkpisong Ememobong Essien in his speech of gratitude, described his children as beloved, saying that they have given him a befitting existence on earth and prayed that God should bless them.
Mkpisong Essien, who is Psychologist and a Teacher, gave insights into his years in public service, glorifying God for what he described as, “His mysterious way of bringing me up from the rubble and through His grace, has elevated me to position of reckoning in time.”
Adding, he said, “through these years, my life has been and still guided by three principles of spiritual motivation, intrinsic motivation and extrinsic motivation.”
Earlier in a thank you message, one of the sons, Comrade Ini Ememobong who is the Commissioner for Information and Strategy in the State, described their father as an hero worthy of celebration and honour.
High points of the event were the cutting of the birthday cake by the celebrant and the unveiling and launching of the books titled “What about the Aged and The Power of Mentorship” by Retired DIG Udom Ekpu-Udom.
