OKON OKON INSTALLED PATRON OF BOYS’ BRIGADE IN AKWA IBOM STATE
The Executive Chairman of Akwa Ibom State Revenue Service (AKIRS), Mr. Okon Okon has advocated the strengthening of Boys’ Brigade in schools as it will help stem the tide of cultism spreading faster in the secondary school’s system.
Mr. Okon Okon made this recommendation to this medium after he accepted to serve as the Akwa Ibom State patron of the organisation. The installation ceremony which was held at the Methodist Church Nigeria, Akwa Ibom State last Sunday, went agog with joy during the installation ceremony, which also featured some government functionaries.
Mr. Okon who was installed alongside the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Ephraim Inyang-eyen and the Commissioner for Agriculture and Dean College of Commissioners, Akwa Ibom State, Dr. Glory Edet, expressed joy over the honour and averred that the Boys’ Brigade should be reintegrated into the secondary school system, as it was a better option for students than cultism.
He recalled that in his days in secondary school, voluntary organizations like Boys’ Brigade, Man ‘O’ War, Girls Scout, etc., were noted for discipline, high moral rectitude and respect for established norms of the schools and society and that reinstating such organizations will leave no room for Cult groups to operate.
The decoration and installation of Mr. Okon Okon as Patron of the Boys’ Brigade was performed by the Akwa Ibom state President of the organisation, Sir Godfrey Bartepeh, supported by the National Secretary of the Boys’ Brigade, Mr. Adamu Malgwi and the Akwa Ibom State Secretary Organiser, Mr. Inyang Idiongette.
The event held at Immanuel Methodist Cathedral, Itiam Etoi, Uyo, was attended by the National President of the Boys’ Brigade Nigeria, Sir Sunday Nwosu and witnessed by the Methodist Archbishop of Uyo, His Grace, Most Rev. Chemezuo Nwankpa, top government functionaries, captains of industries, old state patrons, officers and members of the Boys’ Brigade in Akwa Ibom State.
Mr. Okon Okon, who said he was a member of the Boys’ Brigade during his secondary school days thanked the state leadership of the Boys’ Brigade for giving him opportunity to serve in a higher capacity in the organisation.
“I am very familiar with the ideals of the Boys’ Brigade, particularly in instilling discipline in the boy child. I served in the Boys’ Brigade during my secondary days; I am glad to be given opportunity to serve again.
“I thank the leadership of the Boys’ Brigade for giving me opportunity to serve in a higher position in the organisation. We will continue to encourage the Boys’ Brigade to keep up with the task of instilling discipline in our young boys,” he said.
