By Nsan Ndoma-Neji, Calabar
The Akai Efa community in Calabar Municipality Local Government Area of Cross River State has honoured their illustrious sons and daughters for offering humanitarian and selfless service to the community.
Among the sons and daughters so honoured at the village town hall include: the senator representing Cross South senatorial district at the National Assembly, Senator Gershom Bassey, the member of the House of Representatives representing Calabar Municipality/ Odukpani federal constituency, Rt. Hon Etta Mbora, the member representing Calabar state constituency at the Cross River State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Efa Esua, Dr. Itam Abang, among several others.
Other recipients of the award are: former commissioner representing Cross River State at the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate for Cross River South senatorial district, Mr. Ekpo Okon.
Other awardees are: former Head of Service, HoS, of the Federation, Winifred Oyo Ita, among others.
Among the selfless services rendered to the community that prompted the award of honour to these lawmakers include: attraction of solar panel street lights to the community, rehabilitation of bad roads, failed culverts, and donation of some key infrastructural facilities, which include: school blocks, healthcare facilities, among others to add value to Akai Efa community.
The Village Head of Akai Efa community, Her Royal Highness, Mrs. Henrietta Efa-Akpera, liken the award to the Biblical inference, where King Ahasuerus, who lost sleep to the extent that he ordered for chronicles of the memorable deeds of his subjects to be presented before him.
She said, “Those chosen for the award were not just hand-picked for formality purpose, but we choose them because they met the criteria set up by the committee.
“They have been dedicated, persistent in rendering selfless and humanitarian services to the community. Their good works have added value to our community.”
In his remarks, the lawmaker representing Calabar Municipality state constituency in the Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Esua, who spoke on behalf of the awardees, stated, “This award would spur me to do more.”
He lauded the community for the award, saying, “I never expected this to happen. I, however, was so delighted that my name was mentioned among those honoured by the community.”
