IkonoWatch

A REFLECTION OF ITORO COLUMBA'S DARING LEADERSHIP STRIDES By Mberekkeobong Essien Once in every generation, God provides a visibly elated promise keeper and lavishes him with the administrative knack to sail the ship of leadership and tint his chosen people with waves of earthshaking developments.  The blissful land of Ikono, also known as the cradle of Ibibio Nation has never had it this good in the scheme of things. Amidst staggering complaints which have greeted our trending windows by contemporaries, one begins to wonder where the hidden miracle comes from -the life-saving strategy Ikono chairman has introduced to better the lives of his people. This is evident in the number of achievements brought to the limelight by the Itoro Columba-led administration in the area.      Amidst the socio-economic imbalance that has plagued this country, Nigeria, God in His infinite wisdom, grace and affection for Ikono people, raised a rising star in the person of Mr Columb...

ELECTRICITY SUPPLY: DARING MILESTONE OF ITORO COLUMBA'S GRASSROOTS TORCH By Mberekkeobong Essien On assumption of office in 2017 when the Chairman of Ikono Local Government Council, Akparawa Itoro Columba, pledged to leave the land better than he met it; and that he was going to give the area a facelift through reconstruction, little did the locals envisage that such moves could birth renaissance of some sorts by transforming the Ntippe Ibibio Nation to a veritable hub and destination with global recognition. Three years on the saddle, the Chairman has steadily rode on the crest of complete emancipation, where his unfettered love, passion and determinable approach for his constituents never wanes. In Ikono, the story is just different as a handful of individuals have had the rare privilege of changing the leadership narrative, who had, at one time and the other held sway as Local Government Chairmen in history; perhaps like none other, the rising to stardom of Mr Columba was seen a...

HEALTHCARE DELIVERY: THE TEMPLATE OF ITORO COLUMBA'S STAINLESS SERVICE By Mberekkeobong Essien HEALTH IS WEALTH and the Columba-led administration fervently believes in this truism; this perceptive truth adds up to what actually informs the massive turn around that the land has witnessed in almost three years. Our society is constantly changing, so do the personal needs and health issues of our people at the hinterlands. No leader can boast of succeeding when his people are suffering and languishing in bad health condition.  As the requirements and yearnings of the people change, the healthcare provision must evolve to meet their needs, while the leadership is expected to make available basic amenities of life, poised to drastically reduce death mortality rate and other progressive malignant diseases in the area. Undoubtedly,  'providing little or free cost to medical operation for some of these rural communities' dominated by certain class of dwellers, wouldn't be an u...

ITORO COLUMBA: The Unforgettable Image Behind Ikono LGA's New Identity By Mberekkeobong Essien Nature has satiated our dear country, Nigeria with a good number of godly enthroned leaders in the upper tiers of government.   However, there are only a few accomplished leaders at the grassroots who have harkened to the voice of their people to provide responsive leadership. These are leaders who understand political seats to be transient, knowing fully well that no matter how long or brief, someday somehow, they will step aside for another; hence the vision to ensure their kith and kin enjoy responsible governance and the land bequeathed with maximum renaissance.  Ikono Local Government Area, is one such local government where the land is enjoying maximum renaissance and the natives enjoy the rare privilege of benefitting from this people-centered governance targeted at bringing home the dividends of democracy to them. The Unwanaadi coroner, Mr Itoro Columba who sits atop the...

EKAETTE COLUMBA: Mother To The Motherless, Friend Of The Widows In Distress By Mberekkeobong Essien "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”  - James 1:27, states. Mrs Ekaette Columba is one woman of faith and the MOTHER TERESA OF IKONO, owing to her numerous strides in engaging the women, giving to the poor and caring for the sick in the area. Like Nun and missionary Mother Teresa, known in the Catholic Church as Saint Teresa of Calcutta -devoted her life to caring for the sick and poor. Born in Macedonia to parents of Albanian-descent and having taught in India for 17 years, Mother Teresa had a call to serve lives.  Just like the missionary believed that we must love and care for everyone, especially those who are hardest to love, Mrs Columba tries to see the Lord’s face in everyone she serves. She sternly believes doing any kindness with love...

COUNCILORSHIP INAUGURATION: THE BEGINNING OF A NEW ERA. ... Hon. Idorenyin Ubokudom reiterated her commitment to effective representation. … Celebrated with her constituents The business of law making in the third tier of government in Akwa Ibom State has taken a new dimension as fresh and vibrant Councilors (mostly youths) have been sworn into office to drive the completion agenda of the State through effective legislation and oversight functions.  In Ikono Local Government Area, Friday, the 11th day of December 2020 will forever remain evergreen in the history of the Area as the 7th Legislative Council was inaugurated and legislative business kick-started in earnest at the Council’s Legislative Chamber, Ibiaku Ntok Okpo.  The swearing-in ceremony was performed by the Clerk of the House, after receiving a written proclamation from the Executive Chairman of Ikono, Hon. Nyakno Okoibu, as required by law. The event was swiftly followed by an election to choose the Leader of the ...

HON. ITORO COLUMBA: THE BOWING-OUT OF A SERVANT LEADER I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.  – 2 Timothy 4:7 Edet John Ibianang-Ediene edetjhn@gmail.com As the Executive Chairman of Ikono LGA, Hon. Itoro Columba is graciously crossing the t’s and doting the i’s in readiness to hand over the mantle of leadership of Ikono Local Government Council to the Chairman-Elect  Mr. Nyakno Okoibu in few days to come, it becomes behoving and imperative to critically analyse the life and times of his administration with the view to consolidating on the established democratic gains while elucidating on gray areas. Hon Itoro Columba was elected into office three years ago with the mandate to lead Ikono LGA out from her then obscure, dingy, fathomless and esoteric living to the present fame and pride of place (hence the unwanaadi mantra) enjoyed by the LGA when placed side by side with other LGAs in Nigeria. The comments and accolades by concerned stake...