By Nsan Ndoma-Neji, Calabar
The royal fathers of Itekpa community in Yala Local Government Area of Cross River State has honoured the state Commissioner for Education, Senator Steven Adi Odey, with the chieftaincy title of “Imaa 1” – Salt of the Earth – of Itekpa for his numerous contributions towards the development and growth of the community.
The community leaders stated that the only way to reciprocate Odey’s kind gesture was to confer him with a chieftaincy title of Imaa 1 of Itekpa, to encourage him do more in terms of contribution of his quota to community development.
Clan Head of Itekpa community, who spoke on behalf of the community, His Royal Highness, Ogamode Odey Ipuole, stated that conferring Odey with a chieftaincy title was the only way to reciprocate the kind gesture which Odey had shown to the community.
In his remarks, President of Itekpa Development Association, Patrick, stated that the honour done to Odey, was not new but an honour usually conferred on any son and/or daughter of the land who had done well in terms of carrying thier kinsmen along particularly when need be.
He said, “When you do uncommon things, uncommon favours accompanies you.”
Continuing, the association’s President, who lauded Senator Odey for making himself available for the honour and joining the council of chiefs in the area, said, “Your appointment as commissioner came at a right time as planned by God.
“Your track record and faithful service to God and humanity paved way for the appointment. You are now the ‘Oma Oluonyeloja 1,’ which means same as “Salt of the earth.”
Lauding the council of chiefs for the honour done him by conferring on him the chieftaincy title, Senator Odey promised not to betray the confidence reposed in him, promising to be a good ambassador of the community wherever he finds himself.
In his vote of thanks, a community leader, Mr Gabriel Oboh, who enumerated infrastructural challenges faced by the community, asked Senator Odey, a former senator who represented Cross River North senatorial district at the Senate, to convey their message to the state chief executive, so that succour can visit the community.
