Youths of Ukanafun have declared their support for the second term bid of His Excellency, Obong(Barr.) Godswill Akpabio. The youths in their thousands at the civic center, Ikot Akpa Nkuk, headquarters of the local government area, on Saturday 3rd July, 2010, during the first Ukanafun Youth Summit said their resolve to endorse the second term aspiration of the Governor stemmed from his distinctive record of performance in three years in office.

The spokeperson for the youth and presiding head of a youth group, Igwek Ukanafun, a confederation of youth leaders in the area, Mr. Ikponifono Akpanukoh said Ukanafun youths will continuously appreciate Chief Akpabio because according to him, they have never had it so good in Ukanafun. Mr. Akpanukoh said from available records, the first contract for projects ever signed by the governor on assumption of office was electrification of Ikot Ibekwe and the surrounding villages. Adding that Ukanafun was also considered among the first three appointments including Mr. Aniekpeno Mkpanang as the director of protocol. “We can never forget the fact that for about two decades of successive administrations in the state, Ukanafun never produced a full-fledged commissioner in the state executive council, but today it is our birth-right”, the youth leader stated.

He also acknowledged the signing of contract for the construction of Ikot Uboh – Nsekhe – Ikot Akpa Nkuk – Edem Idim Road, construction of a general hospital, security village and the numerous inter-ministerial projects completed and inaugurated across the local government area. Mr. Akpanukoh maintained that they have resolved to throw their weight behind the governor and promised to make Ukananfun and its environs, a hot zone to possible oppositions as Akwa Ibom prepares to re-elect His Excellency back to the government house for the continuity of His good work.

Also speaking, the member representing Ukanafun/Oruk Anam federal constituency in the House of representatives, Obong (Hon.) Sabbath Obot, said he was proud to identify with the people in the summit and encouraged youth’s participation in politics. In his message to the summit, the deputy speaker in the State House of Assembly, Obong Okon Uwah, called on youth to shun any act that could be inimical to growth and development of the area. On his part, the chairman of Ukanafun local government area, Elder Aniekan Akpan who spoke through the supervisor for works, Mr. Saturday Udonneh, thanked the organizers for the initiative which he said has enabled the people to rub minds in view of Ukanafun development. Elder Akpan who expressed his administration’s commitment to partnering with the youth in development, also lauded Gov. Godswill Akpabio on his development efforts in the state.

Addressing the summit on the theme “The strength of togetherness and youth emancipation”, the guest speaker and the chairman on the occasion, Mr. Godwin Benson, commended the initiative of the organizers Igwek Ukanafun, noting that the summit has provided an avenue for youths and leaders of various assemblies to fashion out ways to bring necessary development and growth to the area. He called on the youths to always stand for the truth and to always live up to expectations, warning that they should not shy away from responsibility in order to prevent strangers from infiltrating their existence and abuse their personalities and integrities.

Various speakers, including the secretary of PDP in Ukanafun, Mr. Ibiangake Ndioho, Mr. Abasiono Udomfu, a lawyer, Prince Uko Okon Idiong, councilor Ukanafun ward I and others, pledged the people’s support to Gov. Akpabio and the growth of Ukanafun.