Gov Eno Eulogizes Late Obot Etukafia At Funeral

 
By Bassey Nkponam
IKOT ABASI
The Akwa Ibom governor has eulogised the late Obong Obot Davies Etukafia of the Etukafia family, Ikpetim village in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area, as his remains were interred, Thursday.
Pastor Umo Eno, in his message of condolence at the funeral service in honour of the deceased elder statesman, which took place at the Ikot Abasi Local Government council field, described the late Etukafia as a phenomenal and consequential public servant whose services to the state and government will always be appreciated. 
Eno recalled Obong Etukafia’s role in the birthing of his administration, saying the late patriarch was an ardent supporter of the movement that led to his massive victory in the 2023 gubernatorial elections, adding that his team remains deeply grateful for the patriarch’s huge support as the political leader of Ikot Abasi and stakeholder in the Akwa Ibom polity.
He commiserated with the Etukafia family and the entire Ikot Abasi Local Government Area, over the demise of the patriarch and political leader, the late Obong Obot Davies Etukafia, who died at the age of 86.
   “On behalf of the government and people of Akwa Ibom State, I express our deepest condolences on the passing of your dear father and patriarch, the late Sir (Obong) Obot Davies Etukafia at the age of 86.
“Obong Etukafia was a phenomenal and consequential public servant whose imprints and footprints are all over our dear state and speaks to the creativity and foresight he deployed in public service. As permanent secretary in the old Cross River State, he shone like a bright star and when he moved his service to the newly created Akwa Ibom State as the pioneer commissioner for Commerce and Industry and later Finance and Economic Development, he helped shape and laid the foundation of those Ministries. 
“Our late elder statesman in retirement devoted his life to the advancement of the interest of Ikot Abasi, within the larger Akwa Ibom political space and until his passing, was the political leader of this Local Government Area,” the governor stated, pointing out that life does not consist in the number of years one lived, but in the quality of life within the years he lives, adding that the life in the years of Obong Etukafia will always count in the annals of Akwa Ibom State, charging his family to ensure that they further his great legacies.
In his homily drawn from Genesis 50:24-25, the Archbishop of the Uyo Archdiocese of the Methodist Church Nigeria, Most Reverend John Ene Koko-Bassey, noted that Joseph was a communal blessing that made his name to be reckoned with, and described the life of Obong Etukafia as a blessing to many, charging family and beneficiaries of the good works of the deceased to ensure his name is carried onto generations the same way  the children of Israel carried the bones of Joseph, as recorded in the scriptures.