Excerpts From The Valedictory Session Held In Honour Of Late Hon. Barr. Umoh Etukudo By The Akwa Ibom State House Of Assembly
Excerpts From The Valedictory Session Held In Honour Of Late Hon. Barr. Umoh Etukudo By The Akwa Ibom State House Of Assembly
The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly under the distinguished leadership of Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey organized a valedictory session In honour of their departed former Colleague, Late Hon. Barr. Umoh Etukudo yesterday, the 7th Day Of October, 2021 . The valedictory session was held at the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Complex, Udo Udoma Avenue, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Late Hon. Barr. Umoh Etukudo hailed from Mbioto 2 in Etinan Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State. Late Hon. Barr. Umoh Etukudo worked as a state Counsel with the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Justice and later became a Magistrate. He resigned from the Magistracy as a Chief Magistrate and ventured into politics.
Late Hon. Barr. Umoh Etukudo was elected into office as the Executive Chairman of Etinan Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State. He became the Chairman of Etinan Local Government Area when Nsit Ubium and Nsit Ibom were part of Etinan Local Government Area.
After his tenure from the Local Government Council, the Late Hon. Barr. Umoh Etukudo was elected to represent Etinan State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly from 1999 - 2003.
The valedictory session organized by the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly started at exactly 12:00 noon with a minute silence in honour of the deceased which was followed with an opening prayer by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey.
The Honourable member representing Etinan State Constituency, Hon. Barr. Aniefiok Dennis Akpan was called upon by the Speaker to open the tributes. He said that he was very close to the deceased. He also stated among other things that the deceased was a family man and a very good lawyer. He concluded by saying that he is saddened that the deceased has left us.
A colleague and close friend of the deceased, Hon. Isong Isang who represented Ikot Ekpene/Obot Akara State Constituency from 1999 - 2003 was called upon to give his tribute. He said that the deceased was the minority leader of the House of Assembly during their tenure. He described the deceased as one of the most respected members of the House of Assembly.
He also stated that Late Hon. Barr. Umoh Etukudo was humble and was always full of life and would not have expected that he would pass on so soon. I always went to him as a senior friend.
The tides of emotion swelled up in the people around when Hon. Isang notified the House that immediately the deceased left the House, he lost his wife.
The former Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly and Honourable member representing Etinan/Nsit Ibom/Nsit Ubium Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Barr. Onofiok Luke was called upon by the Honourable Speaker to give his tribute. He said amongst other things that he came here to observe the valedictory session because he does not take this kind of things for granted. He also stated that the Late Hon. Barr. Umoh Etukudo was the Executive Chairman of Etinan local Government Chairman when Nsit Ubium and Nsit Ibom were part of Etinan Local Government Area. He thanked the Speaker and every other member of the House who came out in their large number to honour the deceased.
The leader of the Party, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Akpan who represented Ukanafun State Constituency in the House of Assembly was also called upon by the Speaker of the House to speak. He stated that he got to know the deceased through his late friend. He also stated that the deceased was a Magistrate, a lawyer, a footballer and a legislator. He further stated that the Late Hon. Barr. Umoh Etukudo was a jack of all trade.
Some of the deceased children; Edara, Mmeyene and Emediong were recognized by the Speaker. Prof. Maisie Etukudo, Elder Enobong Etukudo, Mr. Eseme Etukudo and other family members and guests present were also recognized by the Honourable Speaker.
Some of the former Speakers and members of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly in attendance include: Rt. Hon. Nse Ekanem, Rt. Hon. Peter Linus, Rt. Hon. Anietie Inyang, Hon. Barr. Onofiok Luke, Senator Aloysius Etuk, Hon. Barr. Aniefiok Dennis Akpan, Hon. Barr. Ese Umoh, Hon. Barr. Usenobong Akpabio, Hon. Barr. Idongesit Umoh, Hon. Barr. Kennedy Ekong, Hon. Friday Iwok, Hon. Marbel and a host of both former and serving House of Assembly members.
The speaker in his tribute stated that the deceased served as a Chief Magistrate and was later elected an Honourable member of this House. My colleagues and I, past and present pray that God grants the soul of the Administrator, politician, a Judicial Officer and a legislator a perfect rest in peace.
The Speaker also specially recognized the former Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon. Barr. Nse Ekanem and also recognized a former Deputy Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Hon. Enefiok Thompson.
The valedictory session came to an end after a motion was moved by an Honourable member.
To the glory of God, the valedictory session ended peacefully. May the soul of the departed rest in perfect peace.
