By Solomon OKPO
Idua Assang community in Oron Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State was a hive of activity yesterday as Senator Ekong Sampson, representing Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District, announced the donation of an assembly hall to the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Zion School in the community, in honour of the late Pastor Oyong Asuquo.
The project, to be built and named after the late Pastor Asuquo, an illustrious son of Idua Assang, was unveiled during the Senator’s visit to inspect facilities at the AME Zion School. Asuquo was a former colleague of Senator Sampson, with both men serving as council chairmen in the early 2000s, Asuquo in Oron and Sampson in Mkpat Enin.
The event drew several former local government chairmen who served during the same period, including Prince Uwem Ita Etuk, former Chairman of Ibesikpo Asutan; Elder Edet Umotong of Ikono; Hon. Awawa Ekaenang of Uruan; and Hon. Emmanuel Essien of Oruk Anam.
Speaking at the ceremony, Senator Sampson said the project was deliberately conceived to immortalise the memory of Pastor Asuquo, whom he described as a trusted colleague, close friend and bridge builder with enduring contributions to grassroots governance and the development of Oro Nation. He noted that their years in public service forged a bond anchored on cooperation, mutual respect and service to the people.
According to the lawmaker, the assembly hall represents a modest but heartfelt effort to preserve the legacy of a man who dedicated his life to public service and community development. He added that the project complements his wider education-focused interventions across Akwa Ibom South, including ICT centres, staff quarters, hostels, sporting facilities and science laboratories in several schools.
In a posthumous tribute, Prince Uwem Ita Etuk described the late Pastor Asuquo as a detribalised unifier whose vision transcended ethnic boundaries and whose commitment to the unity and progress of Akwa Ibom State remained exemplary. He also commended Senator Sampson for the initiative and his performance in the National Assembly.
The late Oyong Asuquo was a prominent political figure in the state, having served as Chairman of the Association of Local Government Chairmen of Nigeria (ALGON) and later as Commissioner for Youth and Sports in Akwa Ibom State.
Senator Sampson also used the occasion to commend prominent sons and daughters of Oron, including the late Senator Victor Akan, Hon. Victor Antai, Executive Director (Projects) of the NDDC, and the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, for their inclusive leadership and development efforts across ethnic and political lines.
He praised the Executive Chairman of Oron Local Government Area, Hon. Asukwo Enweme, for stabilising the polity and sustaining peace in the area, describing Oron as the heartbeat of the Oro ethnic nationality.
The Senator further called on the people to continue supporting Governor Umo Eno and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stressing that sustained collaboration between leaders and citizens was essential for accelerated development. He also acknowledged Senate President Godswill Akpabio for facilitating the siting of an erosion control project in Ekeya, Okobo Local Government Area.
Responding, Hon. Asukwo Enweme thanked Senator Sampson for honouring the late Pastor Asuquo, whom he described as a great son of Oron whose legacy in leadership and service would endure. He praised the Senator for what he termed focused and visible representation at the federal level.
Earlier, the Senator and his entourage were received at Idua community by Hon. Hogan Bassey, a former Transition Committee Chairman of Oron Local Government Area, before paying a courtesy visit to the palace of the clan head of Idua, Chief Augustine Ndor, where they received royal blessings.
The visit also featured an inspection of an ongoing water project sited in Idua Assang by Senator Sampson, reaffirming his commitment to people-oriented and sustainable development initiatives across the district.
The well-attended event, marked by a spirit of bipartisan unity, was graced by political leaders across party lines, including the APC Eket Senatorial District Vice Chairman, Dr. Enemiyi Emeni, and his PDP counterpart, Barr. Ekpong Edemeumoh, among other stakeholders.
The Evangelist News
