Akwa Ibom state and her people are a blessing to Nigeria. They set the trail for the evolution of modern Nigeria. This was made possible by providence.
Akwa Ibom people by divine endorsement are a unique set of people. They occupy a class of their own in ingenuity, competence, tenacity of purpose, resilience, sagacity, peace and vibrant leadership.
They are believed by social scientists and historians to be one of the oldest ethnic groups that occupied the southern part of the territory- Nigeria.
They were, even before the advent of colonialism in Nigeria, pace setters in various socio-political and economic endeavors and these attributes have indeed been generously bequeathed to the modern Akwa Ibom people.
With these revealing facts about Akwa Ibom origin, it is gladdening to note that our people had a firm root in the territory- Nigeria from antiquity, as ancient and bona fide citizens of Nigeria.
Little wonder Akwa Ibom, played significant roles in the development and progress of Nigeria during the pre-colonial, post independence and of course in contemporary time.
Mkpat Enin is situated in the South East of Nigeria; it is at an altitude of about 185m, it is a town and Local Government Council with an Area of 322.352 km2 located within the industrial belt extending from Eatern Obolo, Etinan, Oruk Anam, Onna to Ikot Abasi in what is now known today as Akwa Ibom state.
Eno Williams is a proud daughter of Ukpum Minya clan in Mkpat Enin. She is the Vice-Chairman of Mkpat Enin Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom state; she is one of the dynamic and focused young women politicians that the Godswill Akpabio-led-administration has produced.
Asides politics, Eno William William is a graduate of Business Administration with years of cognate experience and practice in Abuja, but her love for music, and singing of praise to the creator drew her back to the ministry, hence the launch of her OMINI SABI GOD album at a star studded event held penultimate year at the prestigious Amazing Grace Event Center, Uyo.
On assumption of her office as the Vice Chairman, she dedicated her success to God; describing it as divine, assuring Mkpat Enin people the defense of their interest at state level and promising to deliver laudable projects and initiatives that will better their lot.
This young, distinguished and charismatic politician has done so much in the last three years to enhance the image of Akwa Ibom state within and outside the nation in the areas of re-orientation of youths; projecting the state’s cultural heritage through songs and special performances, promoting gender equality and other forms of empowerment which her office allows.
Most recently, she waxed a theme song dedicated to Nigeria’s centenary celebrations, reminding Nigerians that the 1914 amalgamation by Lord Lugard took place in Ikot Abasi, near Mkpat Enin.
Currently, the visionary musician cum politician is engaged in a project which is set to reposition Mkpat Enin Local Government Area as a harbinger for the Nigerian Petro-Dollar oil wealth which provokes history.
The Vice-Chairman is definitely toeing the path of history as she has painstakingly researched and put up a one-stop reference document in support of the fact “that the first oil well ever drilled in Nigeria was in Mkpat Enin in 1953” but sadly, the community has never been accorded its pride of place for a feat that was to later place Nigeria in the ranks of wealthy nations in the world.
Eno Williams wants the world to know by placing it on marble that the first oil discovery in Nigeria, which has now changed the socio-economic status of the country and brought great prestige, wealth and honour to her in the international community, took place in Ikot Akata in Mkpat Enin local government area of Akwa Ibom state.
This search for crude oil in Nigeria began during the first decade of the 20th century, precisely 1903. From then every attempt to discover oil was futile until 1953 when the foreign oil explorers announced with great ecstasy in Mkpat Enin “…alas we have found oil in Nigeria.”
This distinguished Vice Chairman hopes to present these documents to key government offices, policy makers and other relevant organizations whose responsibility lies with matters such as this, in anticipation of attention and commensurate benefit to the goose that laid the golden egg especially, as Nigeria celebrates her 100 years of nationhood.
This glaringly reveals the significant contribution of Mkpat Enin in the economic prosperity of Nigeria. Perhaps this is why Shell Petroleum has paid a glowing tribute to Mkpat Enin by naming one of its helicopters, rigs and streets in the shell camps in Port Harcourt “Akata.”
Indisputably, Mkpat Enin set the pace for the economic evolution of modern Nigeria, and she is indeed, the ‘Goose that laid the golden egg for her mother Nigeria’.
Eno Williams wants the world to know by placing it on marble that the first oil discovery in Nigeria, which has now changed the socio-economic status of the country and brought great prestige, wealth and honour to her in the international community, took place in Ikot Akata in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom state.
By Joseph Utin & Nelson NseAbasi