… Hails Ogar for hosting football competition
The Chairman of Akpabuyo Local Government Area, Hon. Effiom Bassey Effiong, has called on political appointees across Cross River State to emulate the grassroots touch of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Asset Management and Recovery, Barr. Gilbert Agbor, by staying connected to their people and using their positions to foster community development.
Effiong made the call on September 4 when he joined Agbor, community leaders and residents of Etomi in Etung Local Government Area for the Etung New Yam Festival, which also featured the grand finale of a football tournament organised to bring the community together.
The Akpabuyo chairman said Agbor’s continued identification with his people demonstrated the kind of grassroots leadership expected of political appointees, noting that Governor Bassey Edet Otu could not personally be present in every community.
“The Governor, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, cannot be everywhere. That is why his foot soldiers, like Gilbert Agbor, are representing him at various levels,” Effiong said, commending Agbor for providing leadership and identifying with his people.
He urged other politicians and political appointees to “borrow a leaf” from Agbor by consistently returning to their communities, listening to their people and supporting initiatives capable of promoting peace, unity and development. He particularly described football as a potent instrument for bringing people together.
Effiong also commended Mr. Abednego Ogar, a recent appointee as a Director in the State Lottery Board, for hosting the football tournament, describing the initiative as a practical demonstration of the “People First” mantra of the Otu administration.
He said Ogar’s decision to return to his community and use the New Yam festivities to create an avenue for recreation, interaction and celebration showed that public appointments should deepen, rather than weaken, the bond between leaders and their communities. “That is the way to go. I commend him,” Effiong said.
Effiong said the joy and happiness displayed by the people of Etomi showed that the “Season of Sweetness” associated with Governor Otu’s administration was being felt at the grassroots, urging political appointees to sustain direct engagement with their communities.
The Akpabuyo chairman, who said he had chosen to attend the festival despite other important engagements in Calabar, also donated ₦500,000 towards the organisation of the celebration.
Also speaking, an elder statesman and political leader of Etomi, Ntufam Gabe Odu Oji, praised Agbor for demonstrating what he described as exemplary leadership since his appointment, saying he had continued to enjoy the admiration and support of the people of Etomi and Etung at large.
Odu Oji equally commended Ogar, whom he described as Agbor’s protégé, saying the hosting of the tournament showed that he was learning fast and following the example of his political mentor by giving back to his community.
The football competition ended in an exciting finale, with Etomi Strikers defeating Draggers in a penalty shootout to clinch the top prize, adding sporting excitement to the cultural celebration.
By Kingsley Agim
