By Patrick Titus, Uyo
For Madam Comfort Okon Ekpenyong, a widow, formerly identified within her locality – Nsukara Offot community as “Mma Ntagha Ufok Nsukara” meaning a woman who lives in the most dilapidated house in Nsukara, the Biblical context that “though sorrow may endureth for a night but joy comes in the morning,” has become a reality.
Also, as a poor woman, whose condition then, could simply be likened to that woman with the issue of blood recorded in the Bible, any soothsaying that she would one day in her lifetime, become a proud owner of one of the best buildings around her community, could have meant nothing than a fairy tale.
For many years, Madam Ekpenyong had endured harsh living conditions while raising three children and caring for seven grandchildren, one of whom is physically challenged. Nsukara Offot is a village in Uyo local government area, Akwa Ibom State.
Today, her story has changed through what could be described as a “divine visitation” as she owns and lives in an apartment, courtesy of Dr. Uwemedimo Udo, the chairman of Uyo local government area.
The apartment presented was fully furnished and equipped with solar-powered electricity and borehole water to ensure comfort and sustainability for Madam Comfort Ekpenyong and her family.
As the tape was cut and the doors of the new bungalow opened on Monday, February 23, 2026, the widow broke down in tears, saying she would sleep on a proper bed for the first time in her life.
Beyond the house, Dr. Udo presented her with a cheque of ₦500,000 to boost her plantain and fufu business.
Touched by this action, Uyo Media Group on Monday visited the council and commended Dr. Udo, describing the action as a demonstration of humanity.
Led by its Chairman, Elder Patrick Albert, the group gave the Uyo Council Boss a pat on the back, saying that he was making Uyo proud.
“Your leadership of Uyo LGA is quite remarkable. Your performance is evident and impactful. However, we must emphasise that despite enormous records, much is still expected of you. Continue this way, and posterity will judge you favourably”, Albert said, while promising the support of the media body for his activities.
Introducing the Group to Dr. Udo, Elder Albert informed him the Uyo Media Group is a body of professional media practitioners whose aims and objectives were to promote love, unity, progress, and development of Uyo Local Government Area.
According to Albert, the Group also exists to preserve, protect, and advance the collective interest of Uyo Local Government within the politics of the State and the Nation as a whole; while identifying, collaborating, and supporting sons and daughters holding leadership positions in various tiers of government from the area.
He again applauded Dr. Uwemedimo on his track record of excellence, and promised the Group’s partnership to get his deeds to public glare.
Responding, the Uyo Council Boss, Dr. Uwemedimo Udo appreciated the team for visiting and acknowledging his activities.
He disclosed that the Nsukara Offot house was one of the 14 Compassionate Homes to be delivered under his administration across the 14 wards in the local government.
The Chairman noted that his administration has consistently prioritised education and capacity building, as well as initiatives designed to ensure that the people directly benefit from government resources.
“We are setting Uyo on a trajectory of sustainable developments. The template we are setting is one that whoever comes after us must sustain, especially in providing basic benefits like bursaries and entitlements to statutory officers,” he said.
On infrastructure, the Chairman disclosed that several projects are ongoing, including the renovation of the Community Health Centre at Atan Offot; rural electrification efforts in communities such as Nung Udoe Ediene, Ebong Akpakpan, Mbiabong Ikot Akpan, Ibiam Street, Ifa Ikot Okpon, Ikot Obio Mkpong, and others, where power is being restored after about five years as well as the installation of solar-powered water facilities in Ikot Akpan Ediene.
He expressed optimism that many other projects including compassionate homes would be completed and handed over before the end of the year.
“We will continue to deliver within the limits of available resources, he added, while also acknowledging the support of stakeholders and traditional institutions, whom he said are carried along with due respect and recognition.
Dr. Udo who doubles as Akwa Ibom ALGON Chairman further called on members of the group to uphold professionalism, fairness, and ethical standards in their engagements, while advocating for mentorship opportunities for younger media practitioners.
