THE
BIOGRAPHY OF LEADER (CHIEF) UDO EKANEM UDO
Here in this Articles, we are going to tell you everything you need to about CHIEF UDO EKANEM UDO.
CHIEF UDO EKANEM UDO MOTIVATIONAL SPEECH
The 28th
President of the United States of America, Woodrow Wilson (1550-1924) once said
“You are not here (on earth) merely to make a living but to make the world a
better place”.
This assertion is true of our patriarch, late Leader (Chief) Udo
Ekanem Udo who lived his life generally to impact on humanity.
CHIEF UDO EKANEM UDO BIRTH AND PARENTAGE:
Leader
(Chief) Udo Ekanem Udo (Alias Titia Udoh as was fondly called by his family
members and close associates) was born on 15th October, 1931 into
the family of Nung Umo Ebu in Nung Abasi Ata of Mbiafun Ikot Abasi in the
present day Ini Local Government Area.
His father was Late Chief Ekanem Udo Udo
Akpan Ebu while his mother was Late Madam Nwa Udo Udo Umoh of Nung Abaka-Aduak
Family, Abiakpo Ibo in Obot Akara Local Government Area. He was his father’s
second son.
CHIEF UDO EKANEM UDO EDUCATION:
Leader
(Chief) Udo Ekanem Udo started his Primary Education at Methodist Central
School, Ibiaku Ntok Okpo in 1944 where he read and obtained his First School
Leaving Certificate in 1952.
Thereafter, he went over to the Central Academy
School, Enugu in the present Enugu State where he obtained the RSA III
Certificate in 1957.
CHIEF UDO EKANEM UDO MARITAL LIFE: Looking very
vibrant, energetic and good looking, late Leader Udoh started his new teaching
job as a Government Teacher in 1957.
Since caring fathers of old never allowed
their male children to live and operate alone especially when they came of age
for marriage, his father, Late Obong Ekanem Udo Udo Akpan Ebu had to look for a
wife for his vastly growing second son.
It was then that Chief Ekanem
discovered a young, slim, fair and innocent looking Miss Nkoyo Akpan Inyang of
Asanting Ikot Efrede who was then serving as House-help to Late Chief Akpan Ekanem
Udo.
Miss Nkoyo Inyang, charming, elegant and conspicuously pretty till date was
automatically accepted by Leader Udo as a wife and accordingly, traditional
marriage was immediately consummated in 1961.
This great union was blessed with
eleven (11) lovely children out of which nine (9) - three males and 6 females
are alive till date to mourn the departure of their icon.
He loved and cared
for his children and his beloved wife so dearly and he never forget to cherish
and call her “Eka Koko”. The wife in return will answer and address him as
“U.E.” (meaning Udo Ekanem).
CHIEF UDO EKANEM UDO CHRISTIAN LIFE:
Leader
(Chief) Udo Ekanem Udo was born into a Christian family where his parents were
core members of Methodist Church, Mbiafun Ikot Abasi.
He was later baptized and
became a full communicant in the church. He thereafter became very zealous and diligent in church activities to the
admiration of other members and the ministers alike.
Arising from his
persistent zeal and outstanding qualities, he was accordingly appointed a
leader in 1975 to compensate for his unmatchable commitment to Church work.
This gave him the impetus to head so many Church committees and meetings.
After the creation
of Mbiabong Circuit, Leader (Chief) Udo Ekanem Udo was appointed the 1st
Quarterly Meeting Secretary in 1991. He served on this post for good eight
years until 1999.
As one of the outstanding and outspoken personalities in the
Church at that time, he contributed in no small measure to the re-structuring
and upgrading of the local church in Mbiafun Ikot Abasi to the present enviable
standard.
CHIEF UDO EKANEM UDO SOCIAL LIFE:
As indicated in
the above preamble, Leader (Chief) Udo Ekanem Udo lived a life of service both
to God and humanity.
He grew to become an umbrella both to his Children,
brothers and friends within the village and the surrounding communities.
It
would be recalled that in 1974 when he returned from Asanting where he had
sojourned with his parents in his youthful days, he hurriedly erected a
permanent building where he accommodated all his junior brothers each with a
separate room.
He thereafter took it upon himself to train them and after
successful completion of their education or trade apprenticeship; he ensured
that those qualified were given Government employment while he settled others
with trades and other occupations of their choice.
This is a fact that can
never be contested by anyone in this village. His zeal for the Education of
people and giving them gainful employment did not stop with his brothers alone.
He outstretched his hands to cover relatives and friends alike in Asanting,
Abiakpo Ibo, Ikot Abia Osom and within his immediate communities of Mbiafun
Ubot Oko, Eyehedia and Mbiabong Ikot Udofia. What an unbreakable quality of
extreme generosity.
Leader Udo Ekanem
Udoh loved his community dearly and was irresistibly admired by everyone. A
decent man who loved appearing neat at occasions with his eloquence in spoken
and written English, no wonder he was usually made Chairman at any top function
within this village and community.
It is our believe that these qualities
singled him out for appointment as Secretary/Spokeman at the land dispute
settlement committee between Mbiafun group of villages and “Obon Ukpa” people
in the present day, Abia State. This boundary committee was jointly set up by
Akwa Ibom and Abia State Governments in 1985.
It is a great testimony that he
did not disappoint this village because he ensured that what rightly belonged
to us was returned with matching orders.
Titia Udoh (as was
fondly called) extended this love and unifying factors to his immediate family
dating back to the period when late (Hon) Chief Akpan Ekanem Udoh of blessed
memory was alive.
This love was conspicuously displayed when his late senior
brother Chief (Hon) Akpan Ekanem died in 1996. He ensured that, this great man
was honourably and decently buried, because he saw all, he heard, he fought and
conquered just like the mother Eagle.
It will not be
forgotten in a hurry that it was late leader (Chief) Udo Ekanem Udo together
with late Chief James Akpan Obong, Late Chief Akpan Ekanem Udo, Late Chief Etim
Mbo, Late Chief John Okpot, Ette Ekanem Ubot Oko, Sir Etim Akpan Akpakpan came
together to form “Mmanamo Day”. This later metamorphosed into the present Day Mbiafun
Day held on 23rd December of every year meant specifically for the
development of our village and community.
Also in consultation with his Late
Senior Brother, Chief Hon. Akpan Ekanem Udo, he fought and obtained approval
for the building of Odoro Ikono Secondary School presently sited at Mbiabong
Ikot Udofia. As a result of this singular achievement, the parents/Teachers
Association (PTA) of that school approved the naming of one of their
dormitories to reflect our family’s name – “Ekanem House”.
A man specially
created to outgrow any circumstance that came his way, calm and very calculative
in taking decisions but stern and fearful when provoked. He carried an aura of
boldness and intimidating personality anywhere he went. Such were the
characteristics of the man quietly sleeping in the casket here before you all. Irrespective
of all these he was a husband to one and only dear wife, Eka Koko (as he used
to call her).
His love for his children was uncompromising and shall ever be
remembered for his advice, care and kindness Indeed he was a great man. Till
death, he remained an Elder Statesman, king maker, a devoted community leader
and a strong member of the PDP.
CHIEF UDO EKANEM UDO OCCUPATION:
Leader
(Chief) Udo Ekanem Udo was first appointed Government uncertificated teacher
under the Universal Primary Education (UPE) by then Eastern Ibibio Ikono County
Council in 1957.
He later transferred his service to Ministry of Education as a
Storeman in 1971 and accordingly deployed to the Zonal Education Office, Ikot
Ekpene.
This posting gave him the opportunity to tour several primary schools
to distribute free books, other reading materials and desks which was a free
programme initiated by then UPE.
It should however be noted that Methodist Primary
School, Mbiafun Ikot Abasi was a direct beneficiary of these donations, courtesy
of the benevolence of this compatriot – Late Leader Udoh.
In 1984, he
successfully retired from the service of Akwa Ibom State and was thereafter
appointed member of Ikono North District Court in February 1987.
He served
meritoriously till the end of his tenure in 1991.
It should be remembered that
he established one of the best Disco sets in this part of the globe known as
National Disco and was managed by Brother George Usoro.
CHIEF UDO EKANEM UDO DEATH:
Even though Leader (Chief) Udo Ekanem Udo has advanced in age, he was still very strong and
agile. He was always seen relaxing in a low seater beside his building either
discussing with friends and colleagues or advising and giving directives on
issues concerning the village.
Later he fell ill and was taken to Urua Akpan
General Hospital for Treatment. Little did we know that death was playing in
hard trick on us so at exactly 5 pm on 30th June, 2015, Daddy breathed
his last and passed on to the great beyond.
Daddy your sudden departure has been so
impactful and grievous quite beyond our imagination. You were a shield to
everyone of us and you touched the lives of us all. You were very special, just
like a magic candle that lit up everywhere.
In grief, we continue to lift up our
voices to the Almighty God through our Lord Jesus Christ who you diligently and
faithfully served to the end that He may grant you Eternal Rest in His Bosom.
Daddy, we miss you dearly but it is our belief that God has His reasons for
choosing this time, with God on our side, the flag will surely be kept flying.
You shall forever remain green in our cherished memory.
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