We are proud of Urueoffong / Oruko Devt. Association

 

Protocol, 

I welcome all of you to the inaugural meeting of this great organization. Your presence here attests to your love for Urueoffong/Oruko Local Government Area and confirms you as a lover of progress, development and unity.

I thank the Almighty God for the opportunity he has given us to contribute our quota to the socio-economic development of our local Government Area.

Urueoffong/Oruko Development Association is a socio-cultural and non-partisan organization conceived to be the mouthpiece of the Local Government Area on issues bordering on development as they affect Urueoffong/Oruko Local Government area. You will all agree with me that unlike other Local Government Areas in the State and even the larger Oro ethnic nationality, our Local Government Area never had an umbrella organization which could partner with government and corporate bodies to fast track development in the area. Needless to say that this unfortunate absence of a rallying point contributed in small measure to weaken us and deny us of the much needed development. 

I see the formation and survival of this organization as part of the duty I owe this local government area during my tenure as Executive chairman. I am convinced beyond doubt that sustainable development cannot be achieved in a society where there are no strong and viable institutions to initiate and drive the process in partnership with government and other stakeholders. Let’s not deceive ourselves, individuals will die, administrations will come and go their celebrated achievements will pale into insignificance with time. But institutions well managed will last forever. There are very few people in Oro who are as old as Oro Union. Most of our illustrious sons and daughters of the 1930s, 40s, 50s and 60s have gone to rest but the union is waxing stronger. 

Most of the active members of the union today are the great grand children of those who established it. Please let us join hands in our lifetime and bequeath legacies of unity, oneness and development to our own children and generations yet unborn in Urueoffong/Oruko Local Government Area.

Moreover, in line with the practice in similar organizations, particularly our own Oron Union, Urueoffong/Oruko Development Association will work in close partnership with our most revered traditional institution on matters pertaining to the selection and investiture of deserving individuals as chieftaincy title holders in Urueoffong/Oruko local Government Area, settlement of  disputes among our people as well as representations to companies and government on socio-cultural and developmental issues that affect us as a people.

Being the umbrella socio-cultural organization and the mouthpiece of our people places a huge burden of service delivery on Urueoffong/Oruko Development Association. I dare say that we cannot achieve the lofty aims and objectives of this organization if we bring partisan politics into its affairs. We all belong to different political parties and orientation and it is healthy. But when we meet under the auspices of this organization, our watchword becomes the development and welfare of our Local Government Area; nothing more and nothing less.

Our goal is to have a platform where all our sons and daughters-scholars, artisans, civil servants, businessmen, politicians, traders, women, youth and students can converge, forget their individual differences and class for the purpose of development. To underscore our determination to make the organization non-partisan, a close look at the proterm executive council will reveal men and women of integrity from different backgrounds and callings.
Permit me to state that Urueoffong/Oruko Development Association is duly registered with the Corporate Affairs commission (CAC).

 I facilitated that process in my capacity as Executive chairman of this local Government as part of my duty and development package for Urueoffong/Oruko local Government Area. It has nothing to do with me as Rt. Hon. Okon Tom Osung of Eyoekipfie village. Suffice it to mention that the formation of a Board of Trustee was incidental to the incorporation of the Association with the CAC. Our traditional rulers can recommend the appointment of more men and women of integrity and capacity into the Board. For those of us on the board and those who will join later, I wish to say that being on the Board is a call to service. 

There is no doubt that the funding and general success of the organization will depend on us to a very reasonable extent. So, as Caesar’s wife, we must strive to live above board and be a good example for others to follow. 

As an organization registered with government, only those who are registered with us can vote and be voted for.  Our membership is free to all eligible indigenes of this Local Government area but only registered members can enjoy certain rights, opportunities and privileges. So, I encourage all of us to be registered so as to be in the mainstream.  

Finally, I thank you for your support to our administration. Through your prayers, today, Urueoffong/Oruko local Government Area is the pride of Oro Nation and Akwa Ibom State. This did not come without sacrifice from all stakeholders, including you. Development will continue to elude those who are not willing to make sacrifices and re-order their priorities. It is foolishness to continue doing the same things and expect a different result.
As the year winds up, I wish you a merry Christmas and a very prosperous 2014 in advance.

Once again, thank you for being part of history making.
May God guide you safely to your different destinations!

Being an address presented by the Executive Chairman, Urueoffong/Oruko Local Government Council and Chairman, Board of Trustee, Urueoffong/Oruko Development Association, Rt. Hon. Okon Tom Osung, (JP) on the occasion of the inaugural meeting of Urueoffong/Oruko Development Association held on Tuesday 10th December, 2013 at the council hall, Urueoffong