By Darlington DAVID
While announcing to the people of Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State that they were in for good time, the Council Chairman, Mr. Raphael Isobara, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to providing sustainable empowerment.
Mr. Isobara, who made this known to Ibom Telegraph recently at the Council Secretariat, Afaha Ikot Ebak, shortly after the inauguration of the Local Government Legislative Council, said the event, which was his first legitimate task, has opened a new chapter in the political history of the area, adding that the people will always have a fair share of democratic dividends through his leadership.
The new Essien Udim Council boss said “during the electioneering, we listened to the yearnings and aspirations of the people. We have also identified their expectations and one of the cardinal programmes that will impact meaningfully on the lives of the people is sustainable empowerment. So, we have consulted a reputable firm that is owned and managed by great sons and daughters of the area on sustainable empowerment for the good of the people.”
He added that his administration was poised to harmonize, synchronize and align its agenda with Governor Udom Emmanuel’s 5-Point Agenda, where the people, particularly the youth, will be sustainably empowered in their chosen field of endeavours.
Mr. Isobara, who expressed special appreciation to Governor Udom Emmanuel and the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio, for creating the enabling environment that brought about the free and fair local government elections, also assured that, with the support of some highly placed sons of the area, his administration will make the Agricultural Loan Scheme of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Loan Scheme for SMEs by the Bank of Industry (BOI) accessible to the people of the area.
The Essien Udim Council boss also expressed his gratitude to the member representing Federal Constituency, Elder Emmanuel Akpan; his predecessor and member representing Essien Udim in the State House of Assembly, Sir Nse Ntuen, as well as the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Sir Etekamba Umoren.
In his remarks, political leader of Ukana East and former Commissioner in the erstwhile Cross River State, Obong Emmanuel Umana, who described Mr. Isobara as one of his political sons, said the people of the area were lucky to have him on the saddle of leadership at the local Government level.
In his words: “Raphael Isobara happens to be one of my political sons and I have associated with him for over 20 years in this business of politics. He shares the same ideals as I do, which is how to improve on the lives of the people of Essien Udim. When we were playing the opposition parties, he was right beside me. He is a great mind, a great thinker and I have no doubt that given his own pedigree in public administration, business and in politics, he is bringing that wealth of experience to bear on the administration of Essien Udim Local Government Council as the Chief Steward. Given what he knows about human empowerment, as one of his cardinal objectives, he will definitely impact positively on the youths, women and the elders. So, I think Essien Udim is very lucky to have a man like Raphael Isobara to sit on the seat as a Local Government Council Chief Executive.”
“I want him to be himself. Already, you can see on his poster, which says that he is offering quality leadership. That word alone is pregnant. You can interpret it in various ways. Quality entails a lot. For him to bring quality leadership into Essien Udim would mean that he will impact on various sectors of economy of Essien Udim. As I said, he has got programmes for various groups and all what he needs is to stay focus because he is already a blessed man. He is coming to look for wealth because he is already singularly well off. I know somebody can be very greedy but I know that Raphael Isobara is a very contented human being. What he has is good enough for him. All what he is coming to do for Essien Udim is to impact positively on the economy of the people and by extension, economy of Essien Udim,” Obong Umana maintained.
On the expectation of the people, Obong Umana said “Actually, I feel very sorry for him because the quantum of support that he has been able to garner, to whom much is given, much is expected. But I only advise that the people should be a little patient with him; they should give him a little time to be able to articulate what he has in his mind. So, they should give Raphael Isobara a little time and he will deliver. By the end of his tenure, I am sure; his score card will be something to write home about.”
On her part, while speaking, the Vice Chairman of the Council, Mrs. Emem Ekarika, said she will do her best to make sure her boss succeed.
According to her, “First of all, I owe him my loyalty and I will rally the women to go with him all the way. My boss, the Chairman is a very competent person, humble and God fearing. I will be closer to the people at the grassroots, listen to them and know their needs and also take the feedback to my boss, the Chairman. In this government, we want leave a legacy in history.”
Also speaking, the Essien Udim Chapter Chairman of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Elder Ntiedo Usoro, said he keyed into Mr. Isobara’s campaign, Ekemini-Abasi 2017 Project, because he emerged the best from a level playing ground of popularity.
Elder Usoro further added “We have done our own part as a party and now the ball is in his court, he has the right to play it the way he likes. As a Chapter Chairman, I will try and advice him to relate well with the people at the grassroots. All the people at the grassroots expect from the Local Government Council Chairman is dividends of democracy and I believe he will deliver on it.”
