PENULTIMATE Friday witnessed a grand reception in honour of a former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Obong Victor Attah, organized by the Ibibio people.

By Chioma Onuegbu

THE event was momentous and historic
It was well attended by hundreds of Ibibio sons and daughters of Akwa Ibom State.

Also, the political class, traditional and religious leaders, youths and women groups and invited guests from all walks of life stormed the Asan Ibibio ground to honour Obong Attah, one of their own.
Although the event was officially scheduled for 10 am, the venue was filled before 9 am.

Dignitaries at the occasion included the class of ’99 governors, Chief Lucky Igbinedion of Edo State and DSP Alamieyeseigha of Bayelsa State; the Obong of Calabar, former Minister of Petroleum, Chief Don Etiebet, Dr. Ime Umanah, Senator Ita Enang, and Senator Aloysius Etok, Chief Ayo Adebanjo and Kanu Agabi (SAN) among others.

Attah lauded
Speaker after speaker poured praises on Obong Attah and  enumerated reasons they had to honour the PDP bigwig.
In his opening prayer, the Archbishop of Calabar Archdiocese, Archbishop Joseph Effiong Ekuwem, stated that one of the virtues that endeared Attah to him was his principles.

“I am Akwa Ibom indigene and I am here on the platform of Akwa Ibom. I am not here as an Ibibio son. There is excellence in this Akwa Ibom son, who is  an Ibibio man. I will do the same for anyone, be he from Eket,  Oron,  Annang, or anywhere in Akwa Ibom. I will adore him for his principles. It is this family oneness that I want to stress, the honour given to any member is an honour given to all from Akwa Ibom. I am sure that many of our guests here are not Akwa Ibom people by origin, but friends and acquaintances of Obong Attah. Some came as political colleagues, business associates, professionals etc.”

In his remarks, chairman of the occasion, former Pro- Chancellor and Chairman governing council, Federal University of Technology Yola, General Edet Akpan (rtd) said even though it was coming seven years late because of Attah’s refusal to accept the honour after the successful completion of his tenure in 2007, the Ibibios have enough reason to honour and celebrate Attah.

He identified Attah’s fight for resource control and  contributions to national issues among other cogent reasons he deserved the honour given to him.
Akpan said “for him (Attah) there is nothing spectacular to be honoured. He completed his tenure as a duty and not a favour to his people like what is happening in Nigeria where many even pay to be honoured and celebrated. This time we approached him for him to come back for us to thank him for his contribution towards the Nigeria project.

“That is why we are gathered to celebrate him and this adds another laurel to his rich portfolio, apart from his contribution to the national conference but contribution in totality to the corporate world.”

Speaking on behalf of the class of 99 (elected governors in 1999)  Chief Igbinedion said that he had to honour the invitation because it was an honour well deserved.
He was quick to point out that Attah’s zeal to fight for his people was why we have a President  from the South-South.

Chief Ayo Adebanjo, who served on the Committee on Devolution of power at the just concluded National Conference described Attah as a distinguished Nigerian and humble administrator.

“I started to admire Victor Attah ever before I had the opportunity to serve with him in the Devolution Committee of the 2014 National Conference. How lucky the Ibibio are to produce a man like Attah.  When he invited me that his people were going to honour him, I did not expect this crowd. I did not expect the type of comments I have been hearing because I almost came to the conclusion that Nigerians don’t appreciate good people but I came here to see that Ibibio people are very appreciative,” he said.

Also, former Chief Whip of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Chief Ukata Akpan said the honour would not have come at a better time than now considering Attah’s recent stride at the National Conference, which has further projected him as a dependable leader, not just for Akwa Ibom people but  also the South-South in general.”

The guest speaker, Mr Kanu Agabi (SAN) in his presentation, described the former governor as an ornament of not only Akwa Ibom state but  also Nigeria.
Agabi said Attah deserved the honour done to him “not because there is a shortage of good people but for the fact that out of many good people he truly distinguished himself.”

The legal luminary noted that “whenever there is a cause to be pleaded, there is somebody to plead that cause, Victor Attah is such a person. Obong Attah is the man who knows how to bring together all the necessary schemes or ideas. His name, Victor, is suggestive of victory. Fearless, rigid, unbending and modest,  he is a worthy example in this age of opulence.”

Besides, he said  Attah’s achievement coupled with his humility has made him become the property of all. “Some men are honoured only after they die you have been honored again and again in your life time. You have been outspoken in your condemnation of the ills of our society We celebrate your life because you work for peace and justice. He is a man who made success of his chosen career.