Day Urueoffong/Oruko stood still for UOGF BY PAULINUS NNAH

Mrs Alice Ekpenyong making a speech

 

 

There is no gainsaying that all roads led to Urue Offong/Oruko Local Government Area on the occasion of the formal inauguration of Urueoffong/Oruko Grassroots Foundation (UOGF) last Friday, May 16, 2014 at the Methodist Central School, Oyubia.

With the clement weather of the day, and indigenes gathering in expectant mood, the stage was set for the good people of Urue Offong/Oruko LGA to witness the groundbreaking event of inaugurating the socio-cultural group and swear in its national and ward excos.

At the occasion, the event’s chairman, Engr. Nso Nduonofit, roundly lauded the initiative of the body, and expressed hope that inventiveness will bring about the much needed unity and harmony of people of Urueoffong/Oruko, especially in the present political atmosphere in the area and the state at large.

While also expressing optimism over the group’s capability to enhance proper election of credible people into various elective offices in the area and in the state for adequate delivery of democratic dividends to the people, he fervently prayed for the continued wellbeing and success of the foundation.

Administering the oaths of office to the newly elected officers of UOGF, Barr. Ekung Bassey, on his part, admonished the officials on the need for them to live up to the constitution of the organization and to the oaths of office.

He, therefore, urged the newly sworn in officers to serve the group with diligence, dedication and total loyalty to the ideals of the foundation.

In his inaugural/acceptance speech presented on behalf of the newly inaugurated executives of UOGF, the national president of the body, Hon. Okokon Iyanam, expressed appreciation “to the Board of Trustees and the entire membership of Urueoffong/Oruko Grassroots Foundation (UOGF) for the confidence reposed in us by choosing us to pilot the affairs of this organization as pioneer officials.

National Officers of UOFG taking oath of Office

“Permit me to state that this organization (UOGF) is not just a child of circumstance but one borne out of great necessity to give the people of our local government area a sense of direction in the conduct of all facets of human affairs. This body is registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with Registration Number: CAC/IT/No 61826 and has her corporate headquarters here in Oyubia, Urueoffong/Oruko Local Government Area.”
Hon. Iyanam stressed that the principal aims and objectives of the organization were: the promotion of the socio-cultural and economic wellbeing as well as advancement of the interests of the people of Urueoffong/Oruko LGA, and support of governmental programmes at all levels, including the eradication of corruption, violence, etc.

He extolled the Akwa Ibom State governor, Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio, who he described as “our amiable and performing Governor”, for the latter’s developmental strides which, according to him, have transformed Akwa Ibom State from a mere pedestrian state to a preferred destination for investors and tourists.

Hon. Usoro Akpanusoh making a speech at the event

“We particularly appreciate the appointment of our son, Mr. Ante Okwong as the Hon. Commissioner for Economic Development. We strongly believe in His Excellency’s vision for a new Akwa Ibom State. Where he directs, we will follow and where he sends we shall go,” he added.

The UOGF national helmsman pointed out that the body, within her short span of existence, has greatly impacted positively on the lives of the people of Urueoffong/Oruko and beyond.

“For instance, the people of Oruko Development Area, comprising about twenty (20) villages and the Udesi Group of Villages in Mbo Local Government Area had been living in blackout and were completely disconnected from electricity supply for the past eleven months.

“Today, these communities have been re-connected to the national grid, courtesy of Urueoffong/Oruko Grassroots Foundation (UOGF) in line with our set objectives of positively impacting our society.
“I wish to re-emphasize that Urueoffong/Oruko Grassroots Foundation (UOGF) is not a political organization but a socio-cultural and economic organization whose central focus is aimed at engendering human capital and infrastructural development in Urueoffong/Oruko Local Government Area. We shall, however, not fail to ensure that as many credible sons and daughters of Urueoffong/Oruko LGA as possible get their rightful positions in government at all levels,” Iyanam said.

Hon. Okokon Iyanam maintained that the body will also endeavour to partner with relevant security agencies to stem down, or possibly eradicate, every known social vice or menace that affects their society, adding that “hence, at periodic intervals, we shall be organizing seminars, symposia and conferences for our youths to imbibe ideals and character traits to enable them function well in the society. We will also assist in the training of our youths and the less-privileged to acquire new skills to enable them have gainful employments.”

He concluded by stating that they have concluded plans to establish branches of the organization in such cities like Lagos, Abuja, Calabar, Uyo, etc. within the next couple of months, and at the same time pledged the commitment of the executives to serve the body and the people of Urueoffong/Oruko LGA selflessly and with humility at all times.

Responding, the body’s BoT chairman, Hon. Uno Etim Uno, reaffirmed that one of the primary objectives of the group was to support the uncommon transformation of the Akpabio Administration, and to ensure that the group mobilizes support to ensure the successful transition of power to Governor Akpabio’s successor in 2015.

In his remark at the occasion, the state chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Obong Paul Ekpo, expressed satisfaction over what he termed “a well-conceived initiative” of the body to garner support for the ruling party and the PDP government in the state.

While describing the swearing-in exercise as unique, colourful and worthy of emulation by other such bodies across the state, Paul Ekpo who was represented at the event by the assistant organizing secretary in Akwa Ibom State, Hon. Usoroh Akpan Usoh, pointed out that the activities of the foundation were well noted, saying he will convey same to appropriate party authorities accordingly.

Also speaking at the occasion, a member representing Oron/Udung Uko State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Hon. Alice Ekpenyong, who represented the speaker of AKHA, Elder Sam Ikon, commended the leadership qualities of the BoT chairman of UOGF, Hon. Uno Etim Uno.

The lawmaker enthused that she was proud to be associated with the group, even as she solicited her constituents for their teeming support on her second term bid.

Personages who graced the event include: the paramount ruler of Urueoffong/Oruko HRM Offong E. Amasi; assistant state legal adviser of PDP, Barr. Ita Okpoyo, traditional rulers, village heads, community leaders, among many others.