The Senator representing Cross River North Senatorial District, Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe on Sunday said, he will do more than what he has been celebrated for in the past.
The lawmaker stated this on the occasion of his thanksgiving ceremony at Ogoja where he lamented the quality of amenities available to Northern Cross Riverians.
“We are way below standard when it comes to health care, education and other amenities. What I have done so far is a tip of the iceberg because I can only do more by the grace of God for my people,” Senator Agom said.
The thanksgiving was for his victory in the February 2023 polls and subsequently at the tribunal. And, he says, “I can’t find words to express the way I feel. I return all the glory to God and I thank my constituents for coming out en masse to vote for me. I have a social contract with them. And, since they have done well for me, the only thing I can tell them is that I am going to reciprocate.”
On the fortunes of his party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, he told news men that; “As it stands today, it is clear as crystal that PDP is the party in Cross River North and that is because myself and other elected members of the party have done so well for our people and our people do not have a choice but to support what they have seen that is adding value to them.”
Earlier at the thanksgiving mass, the Bishop of Ogoja Diocese, Most Revd. Donatus Akpan told the lawmaker that God gave him his position to test the stuff he is made of.
“God has set his light
upon you as his witness,” Bishop Akpan said, adding that; “He has given you this exalted office to test you and find out the person you are.”
Bishop Akpan who said he has heard good things about the lawmaker, noted that power often corrupts, and cautioned the lawmaker not to lose focus as “God made you victorious for the sake of your people. Maybe God saw that you were struggling to be counted in, not for yourself, but for your people. Don’t disappoint God.”
Preaching on the importance of truth, the Bishop averred that; “our nation has never known the truth yet and that is why we are still in bondage.”
He said as long as one stood by the truth, thereby pleasing God, there was no need to be bothered about other distractions.
The ceremony drew several friends, allies and colleagues from across the country including the Minister for State, Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Obongemem Ekperikpe Ekpo; the Minority Leader of the Senate, Senator Abba Moro and Senator Barinada Mpigi while Senator Jones Eteng was ably represented by his wife. Other federal lawmakers present include; Rt. Hon. Alex Egbonna, Honorable Godwin Offiono and Honorable Peter Akpanke as well as former federal lawmakers, Rt. Hon. Peter Igbodo and Hon. Frank Adah.
Former Cross River Deputy Governor, Effiok Cobham Esq, Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Venatius Ikem Esq, legal luminary, Mba Ukweni, SAN and his wife, all serving State lawmakers of the PDP led by the Minority Leader, Neji Abang. Others are Charles Omang Esq, Pius Ashakia and Dr. Martins Achadu.
Furthermore, the Founder/Chancellor of Arthur Jarvis University, Sir Arthur Jarvis Archibong, entrepreneurs, Mr. John George, Prince Kjay Agba, former Cross River Representative on the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Ntufam John Okon and a host of others were in attendance.