Sammy Charles.
The official inauguration of Peculiar People Afaha Ikot Obio Nkan Multipurpose Cooperative Society Limited was held on the 11th of May this May.
The inauguration which was held at the premises of The Redeemed Christian Church of God RCCG, 240 Olusegun Obasanjo Road Uyo, has the following persons as her executives – Pastor (Dr) Emmanuel Effiong Abia as President, Deacon Justine E. Bassey as Vice President and Ubong Udoh as secretary.
Others are Henry Isu as Assistant Secretary, Esther Jude as Treasurer, Faith Ebigunu as Financial secretary and Emmanuel Robert as the Public Relations Officer.
In his acceptance speech, Dr E. E. Abia, a former permanent secretary in the Akwa Ibom State Civil Service and the society’s president said “I accept the responsibility of presiding over this cooperative society with great joy and with a deep sense of service and I promise to pilot its affairs to the best of my capability by the special grace of God”.
Going down memory lane, the President informed the people that ” the society was conceived by a group of members of the Redeemed Christian church of God, Peculiar People Zone out of deep yearning for Christian families to improve their economic strength and maintain financial stability.
It was reasoned that if men and women could come together in unity and harness their resources, it could amount to much which could be traded with. As such, upon receipt of certificate of registration of the society … several meetings have been held to discuss and shape the future of this society”.
According to Dr Abia, the inaugural meeting of the society declared 4,000.000 at a rate of 2.50k per share, to be allotted to members.
While presenting the society’s request, the president said that the society had obtained application forms for allocation of consumable shops at the Uyo Modern International Market, Mbiabong Etoi and appealed that government should consider the society to get a front line shop at minimal cost.
Dr Abia said, “the generosity and good gesture of our amiable Governor, His Excellency Deacon Udom Gabriel Emmanuel would be highly appreciated if our society is considered to be a beneficiary of the ongoing free interest loan. As our name is peculiar, we promise to prudently manage the fund and invest wisely as well as pay back on schedule. Once again we salute the confidence our Governor reposes on traders”.
The highpoint of the event was the official inauguration of the society by Pastor Samuel Etuk who represented the acting Director of the Bureau Mrs Imabong Ibanga
