It was the legendary literary icon, Williams Shakespeare who postulated that life is but a stage and every man is an actor who plays his assigned role and departs. Human race is akin to a market place where sellers and buyers converge and each departs at will, without waiting for anyone’s approval, after usual transactions. So it was for the venerable nation builder, and iconic ELDER (CHIEF) EMMANSON UKO UDOM who came, saw and indeed accomplished many feats.
Without any scintilla of doubt, Emmanson Uko Udom bestrode the religious, social, political and economic firmaments like a colossus and flew away from the terrestrial space gloriously at an appointed time. His death is, therefore, an involuntary donation to the celestials but a great loss to the family, associates and friends.
BIRTH & PARENTAGE: On 20th April, 1925, little Emmanson landed in the family of the late Okuku Uko Udom UsenIdeh and Madam DimaUko Udom UsenIdeh of Nsekhe Village, then in Abak Division now Ukanafun Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. He brought his talismanic endowment to significantly change the face and fortunes of the family and community in general.
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EARLY EDUCATION: Though formal education was not key, ELDER (CHIEF) EMMANSON UKO UDOM studied up to then Standard One at Assemblies of God Mission, NkwotIkono, EtimEkpo Local Government Area. Following the unexpected demise of his parents coupled with financial drawback, he backed out from school. Given the standard of education then, he could read, write and communicate in English Language fluently. This afforded him the opportunity of engaging in business partnership with some Europeans.
THE BUSINESS MAN: He versatile nature, and sagacious spirit provided him a launching pad in ekeing a decent living. In 1946, he underwent business tutelage under the Eagle-eyes of the late Pius OkonEtim. In 1948, he left his mentor and partnered the late Sunday Udoafa, through dealing on palm produce and piassava. Eager for more financial breakthrough, he joined FRAISER & SHEPHERD as a Sales Agent in 1954, made indelible marks and won the company’s admiration.
However, in 1962, the business guru floated a trading company- UDOM BROTHERS’ AND COMPANY LTD- at No. 112 Ikot Ekpene Road, Abak. Later, his late brother, John Uko Udom and the late Monday Ekpo of Abak Itenghe joined him. From 1967 to 1970, his company experienced fluctuating fortunes owing to the outbreak of Nigerian Civil War. Sadly too, Monday Ekpo, and his late brother John Uko Udom – all directors- died. Indeed, the civil war dealt a deadly blow on all the assets of the company. Undaunted by the colossal loss of human and capital resources, the late ELDER (CHIEF) EMMANSON UKO UDOM registered yet another Company EMMANSON UKO UDOM & SONS and served as its Managing Director till his death.
In the early 1963, he partnered the late V. C. I. ANENE in piassava business, and that blossomed his business horizon. The late business mogul, aside being a Licensed Buying Agent (LBA), was an importer, exporter and a frontline government contractor in the then Abak Division.
Man, it is reasoned, is a political animal. This assertion holds sway in the life of the man ably seen and acknowledged as a political game-changer. His proven integrity, competence and dedication to duty did not go unnoticed by the authorities and powers that be. In 1962, he was appointed a Tax Assessment Officer by the District Officer of the then Abak Division. From 1976 to 1980, he served as the pioneer Caretaker Committee member of the newly created Ukanafun Local Government Area. One good first term, they say, deserves a second, and as such the Late ELDER (CHIEF) EMMANSON UKO UDOM was re-appointed on 15th October, 1980 by the then Governor of Cross River State, Dr. Clement Isong.
Charity, they say, begins at home. This appeared to have been the underlying philosophy of the late patriot. He believed that his immediate community deserved the best at all times. Owing to his undying love for the people and patriotic zeal to rural development, he ably facilitated the establishment of the Health Centre in the community and was also instrumental to the building of Primary School, Nsekhe.
He was born into a Christian family, baptised and wedded in QUA IBOE CHURCH. But, he changed the denomination due to irreconcilable differences with the Church’s doctrine on polygamy. He became a founding member and financier of the Methodist Church Nigeria, Nsekhe where he served as the pioneer Steward of the Church from 1964 – 1989. Thereafter in 1989, he was appointed the Head Leader of the Church, a position he held till death. For instance, he offered his Piassava shed for the commencement of first service of the Church. As a practical demonstration of his commitment to God, he donated one hundred and fifty Pounds towards the Church building. In short, he pioneered the founding of the Church, and contributed immensely to the church from the foundation to its completion. Till his death, he served as the Project Leader of the Church.
The Elder Emmanson Uko Udom was fond of saying; whatever you have is not for you alone but for others also, and he believed religiously that one is Blessed to be a blessing. Consistent with his philosophy, he became instrument of blessing to others and lived all through his lifetime as a giver. He instituted a scholarship Scheme under the CHIEF EMMANSON UKO UDOM EDUCATION FOUNDATION for Northern Ukanafun indigenes, and the many beneficiaries of this laudable initiative are today living testimonies. It is also on record that he assisted both men and women in the former ABAK DIVISION to start small businesses.
It is often said that moderation in the pursuit of justice is not a virtue, while extremism in the defence of liberty is no vice. To the late Community activist and defender of his people’s interest, no price was too much to be paid in the defence of the rights of his people; and as such, he spared no effort in leading his people throughout the protracted conflict and litigation with the neighbouring villages of Abat, Utu Nsekhe and Utu IkotEboro. As a true believer in the maxim of “PEACE FOR DEVELOPMENT” he successfully brokered a truce among the warring villages of Nsekhe, Utu Nsekhe, Abat and Utu IkotEboro. Until his death, he was still bent on peaceful resolution of intractable chieftaincy dispute in Nsekhe village.
The late ELDER EMMANSON UKO UDOM was a true and committed family man and a loving husband to his wives: the late Mrs. Tity E. U. UDOM from IkpeAkpa Ewe in OrukAnam LGA; the late Prophetess Ruth E. U. Udom from Afaha Ikot Akwa, Ukanafun LGA and the late Mrs. Ofonime E. U. Udom from Nkek-Abak, Ukanafun LGA. As a caring father to his children, he was conscious of the scriptural injunction that children are gift from the Lord and that parents are custodians who would receive due reward for good or bad parenting.
He gave them sound academic standing and spiritual upbringing. He inculcated in them sound moral discipline, fear of God, service to God and humanity, hard work and dedication to duty. He never spared the rod whenever they erred to restoring them to the path of moral rectitude. For this, all the children are indeed grateful and would wish to have him over and over again as their father.
It is not how long one lives that matters, but how well his life affects others positively in tandem with the lyrics of song writer Only remembered by what we have done.
The Chief came, made his marks, and ran the earthly race. He has gone to collect an imperishable prize. He could not have died before his time and without having fulfilled his purpose on earth, and therefore, when death eventually came calling, the conclusion by every member of the family was and still remains; our dear father lived well and had gone to be with the LORD. On the …… death snatched our dear father, mentor, grandfather, great-grandfather, gist partner, story teller, counsellor, our pride, the humanist, the activist, statesman, the Lord’s Steward and nation-builder.
PAPA, you gave us a direction and introduced God to us as the source of all good things and we are all very proud of you. Though sad, we are consoled by the enduring legacies of service and sacrifice to God and humanity. We pledge that even in death, we shall lit the torch and preserve your untainted integrity as your true sons and daughters.
Good night, great one!
