Ikonowatch

PHILANTHROPISM: THE MAKING OF LIVES. - THE AMBASSADOR OKON MKPAFIT MODEL)    Graded internal roads in the community    Pays monthly stipend to many    Gives scholarship to students “ We make a living by what we get but we make a life by what we give ” – Winston Churchill. It is a common saying that men are never respected merely for their riches but rather for their philanthropy, and that we do not value the sun for its height but for its use. This was what played out at Ikot Akpa Edok Ndiya Ikono Local Government Area; the country-home of Ambassador Okon Mkpafit, as he earned the respect and accolades from the community not because he is rich, but because he has demonstrated his genuine love for his people through his benevolent altruism. The Abuja-based businessman, in his magnanimity undertook the grading of a total of 12km internal roads in Ikot Akpa Edok Ndiya, ward 8 which before now were impassable, nightmarish and deatht...

THE MANY SINS OF GOVERNMENT AGAINST THE PEOPLE OF IKONO LGA ….As Ediene Ward 10 becomes the fontanelle   Edet John Ibianang Ediene, Ikono LGA, AKS It is no more news whenever we wake each day to either be told in our radio stations or read in the social media how the good people of Ikono Local government Area has been subjected to different forms of inhumane treatments and neglects by government at various level of governance. For the sake of the reading public who may not really understand who the people of Ikono are and their pride of place in Akwa Ibom State. There is no gainsaying that Ikono Local Government Area is the Ntippe Ibibio (i.e. the Cradle of Ibibio nation).   To put it differently, “ Ikono LGA is the place of origin in which every other Ibibio speaking Local Government Areas in Akwa Ibom State and beyond were nurtured and protected in their earlier period of existence” .   I am aware that someone, while reading through the h...

IKONO YOUTHS: BEACONS OF HOPE FOR A GREATER IKONO. By: Edet John Ibianang Ediene May I begin this piece with this simple advice from Jennifer Gayle, one of the finest Actresses in her time when she said “… be a guiding light, a safe harbor, a beacon of hope and a solid foundation for those around you” . Taking a lift from this goodly advice, it will be safe to conclude that as a youth and most importantly a fellow indigene of the geographical landmark known and called Ikono LGA, we are supposed to be “ beacons of hope ” to each other. The word, “beacon” has been variously defined to mean a different thing to different people depending on the context wherefor it is used. It is said to mean a signal fire to notify of the approach of an enemy commonly of warning. It could be said to be a signal or conspicuous mark erected on an eminence near the shore as a guide to mariners and other of such definitions. But permit me, for the avoidance of doubt and easy underst...

HON. ITORO COLUMBA: THE EXEMPLAR OF A RIGHTEOUS IN AUTHORITY _When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice … (Prov. 29:2a) The award winning chairman of Ikono LGA, Hon. Itoro Columba, in keeping with his campaign promise, had in the last two years dealt righteously with the people of Ikono irrespective of party affiliation and walks of life. This is evident in the life-touching empowerment programmes he had been and still organizing for the betterment of all his people. Testimonies abound from different political and non-political youth groups, elders Forum, traditional institutions, party stalwarts, women groups and most importantly the past Ikono LGC   Chairmen/Chairlady in their separate speeches and at different fora attesting to the unprecedented feats recorded by the Hon. Itoro Columba led Ikono Local Government Area. In one of the usual gathering of all sons and daughters of Ikono LGA, a past Council Chairman confirmed that they have all do...