Ikono: 13 Village Heads Earn Recognition

Thirteen Village Heads in Ikono Local Government Area from Ikono, Itak and Ndiya Clans have been presented with certificates of recognition by the State Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio.
The Village Heads are: Chief Udo Okorie Ekanem of Ibiaku Ntok Okpo; Chief Sunday Udo Akpan of Mbiabong Ikot Akpan; Chief Bernard Akpan Udofia of Mbiabong Ikot Ette Udoe, Chief Stephen Udo Akpan of Edem Edet Ikot Okpo, Chief Eyo James Udofia of Nkwot Ikot Abia, Chief Desub Michael Ibanga of Nkwot Nko as well as Chief Eyibio Okon Udo of Okwe in Ukpom.
Others include: Chief Effiong Udofia Udo Etok of Ukpom Ata Essien, Chief Ime Udofia Ekpo of Ukpom Ikot Akpakpan; Chief Linus James Udo Ekpo of Afaha Obio Enwang; Chief Francis Wilfred Ekpo of Ikot Eduek Itak; Chief Sunday Etim Udofia of Ikot Ide Itak and Chief Effiong Akpan Udo of Ikot Akpan Ndiya.
Performing the ceremony on behalf of the Governor, the Chairman of Ikono Local Government Area, Barr. David Udoh, assisted by the Paramount Ruler, Edidem Effiong Akpan Ineme and the Secretary of Ikono Traditional Rulers’ Council, Mr. Aniekan I. Udoh, commended both the Federal and state governments for enunciating policies aimed at protecting the traditional institution especially the direct funding from the federal account and timely award of certificates of recognition to merited village heads.
Barr. Udoh stated that his administration has complemented the efforts of the federal and state governments in creating an enabling environment for the traditional institution to thrive, citing the recent coronation of the Paramount Ruler on 30th April, 2010 as an example.
He charged the newly recognized village heads to pay serious attention to the maintenance of peace and security in their domains and also enlighten their subjects to shun acts of violence, confrontation, political thuggery and unrest, but play the game according to the rules for the peace to reign in order to continue to reap democracy dividends of the present administration.
In his speech, Edidem Ineme advised the newly recognized village heads to eschew chieftaincy tussles, victimization of widows and orphans, but to administer their villages peacefully and support the government of the day to enable them enjoy more democracy dividends and prepare themselves for higher responsibilities in the traditional institution.