28/09/2022
NED ABUJA INAUGURATION MADE HISTORY
By Michael Akpan
On the 25th of September, 2022 Comrade Akaninyene Fidelis Udoka was installed as the pioneer President, Nto Edino Community in Diaspora (NED), Abuja Chapter along with fourteen others who fully subscribed and showed commitments as members of the Association; and were, by that acceptance, inaugurated and installed as charter members of Nto Edino Community in Diaspora (NED), Abuja Chapter.
The ceremony which took place at Akwa Ibom House, Central Business District, opposite Ministry of Finance Abuja was chaired by Very Rev Fr (Barr) Victor Nyoroh CM, a Deputy Superintendent of Corrections and the National Chaplain, Catholic Chaplaincy Services of Nigeria Corrections Services Headquarters Abuja, Nigeria.
In his Welcome address, Comrade Udoka who was full of excitement, welcomed everyone an stated that “Nto Edino Community in Diaspora (NED) is a progressive, focus-oriented, growth-minded and development- facilitating group for sons, daughters and associates of Nto Edino 1 residing outside Nto Edino village in Obot Akara LGA, Akwa Ibom State". He informed all that NED was registered with CAC in August 2022 with the mission of harnessing collaborative efforts for developing and promoting the welfare of members, Nto Edino village Community and our nation at large. He affirmed that members will embrace the aims and objectives with open hands as they will take a leap from a renowned leader, John F. Kennedy, who opined that, "Its more rewarding thinking of what to do for a nation, than thinking of what a nation should do for you".
The NED President also urged all members to be prayerful, supportive and to assist in achieving the uncommon and divine bond of unity and development.
Adding further, Mr. Udoka said he remains grateful and proud that NED, Abuja Chapter is the first to be officially inaugurated amongst other Chapters around the nation. He also stated that the inauguration would not have carried such a remarkable influence without the efforts and added-value supports from esteemed and committed members.
In contribution, the Chairman, NED BoT, Dr Christo-Mary Udokang after a welcome remark, asserted that the gathering to inaugurate NED, Abuja Chapter was not in vain but for the glory to drive a divine mission; stating also that the official inauguration of the Abuja Chapter, Nto Edino Community in Diaspora (NED) came as a long awaited dream of the people of Nto Edino 1, and indeed by extension for Obot Akara Local Government Area and Annang Nation in particular.
Dr Udokang narrated that the vision to float a NED unifying platform across the globe was nursed by lovers and promoters of radical development, who, for years have noted with great dismay the inability of the sons and daughters of Nto Edino 1 residing within and outside Nigeria to collectively drive growth and progress despite the abundant human resources and God’s manifold skills endowed on them.
According to him, "many years past, the Community has been yearning for a platform to stimulate meaningful development but has often met with failure.
But today, indigenes of Nto Edino 1 around the world have taken upon themselves to change the narrative of backwardness and rewrite the cycle of poverty".
The BoT Chairman further informed that "the inauguration of Chapters has just begun and Abuja Chapter has chosen upon itself to carry the leading mantle in this regard. Truly, it would not have been anything contrary. And we can emphatically say bravo to Abuja Chapter and all who made this day possible as we officially inaugurate the Chapter and install its pioneer (charter) members".
Earlier on, the Chairman of the occasion, Barr (DSC) Nyoroh CM applauded the initiators of the global unification initiative and observed the hand of Almighty God in the mission.
Rev Fr Nyoroh advised all members, indeed all indigenes of Nto Edino 1 to fly high the banner of NED so that those unwilling, "haters of development", late-goers and entire world view could see the outstanding vision of the Association.
The high point was the administration of Oath of Office to the President and members. Comrade Udoka's Oath of Office as the Chapter President was administered by the BoT Chairman while Barr Nyoroh administered the Oath of Office and Allegiance to all members in a group.
Present too at the occasion was the Youth Leader of Akwa Ibom Community, Abuja, Comrade Chris Udoh. Mr. Udo who also represented the President, Akwa Ibom Community, Abuja expressed his joy over the vision and acts of NED and vowed that he will be in full support and also serve as a distance member of NED, Abuja Chapter. Several Goodwill messages were received from members of the BoT, the Liaison Officer, Akwa Ibom Liaison, Abuja, priests, politicians and key personnel in the Federal Government Ministries, Board and Commissions.
In conclusion, the NED President Abuja Chapter thanked God and all for the support received as he pledged to be a father to all Nto Edino sons, daughters and associates in Abuja. The ceremony was indeed a highly impressive assembly, to say the least. NED Abuja Chapter, you have made a palpable history, kudos!
