By Kayang, Emmanuel E., NSBMB, MNIMCPS to Obanliku LGC Executive Chairman.
OBANLIKU CHAIRMAN, HON. SUNNY AYANG INAUGURATES DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COUNCIL, URGES THEM TO THINK AND PLAN OBANLIKU.
It was a significant milestone in Obanliku’s journey towards economic development and growth, as the Obanliku Local Government Development Advisory Council (OLG-DAC) was officially inaugurated on Friday, the 31st of January, 2025, by the Executive Chairman of Obanliku, Hon. Sunny Ayang, JP.
The inauguration ceremony, which took place at Sanjis Hotel, Busanfong, Obanliku, offered a great opportunity to Obanliku stakeholders and technocrats to offer their wealth of experience to the development of Obanliku, irrespective of party affiliations.
The Executive Chairman, in his inaugural address, stated that ” the duty of transforming Obanliku to an urban city of our delight does not fall on me as a chairman and my team alone but on the collective wisdom and advice of all Obanliku people whom you represent. Today’s event, therefore, marks a turning point in our collective effort as Obanliku sons and daughters to chart a new development path for Obanliku.” Hon. Sunny stressed the determination of his administration to make a difference by embarking on development based on collective wisdom. “With your collective wisdom, we will all succeed together as a people and collectively share the success story.”
Speaking further, Hon. Sunny formally inaugurated the Advisory Council with a charge to provide him and his team with a development framework and strategy that would take Obanliku to the next level, vis-a-vis, a greater Obanliku.
The Obanliku Local Government -Development Advisory Council Chairman, Ntufam Barr. Fidelis Ugbo, in his speech, urged members of the council to see their engagement as a call to sacrifice, noting that by the next six months, they should be ready to return and give an account of their achievement. He added that a new and urbanised city in Obanliku will be based on a development plan.
Other speakers including Dr. (Mrs.) Mary-Theresa Ikwen, Rt. Hon. Maurice Evey, Hon. Akpi Uwanede, Barr. Mike Aniah, Engr. Martins Item, Mr. Agba Agba, Barr Gabriel Ikang, Dr. Emmanuel Akashie, the Obanliku Development Association (ODA) Chairman, Calabar Branch, Surveyor Justin Ukama, and the Secretary of the Advisory Council, Hon. Tony Abaka were passionate about the need to set up a Development Agenda for Obanliku.
They commended the visionary leadership of the Executive Chairman of the Council, which aligns with the ODA Conference resolutions in 2021 and hence deserves the support of all.
They added that to develop the needed manpower in Obanliku, there is an urgent need for human development and capacity building, effective policy implementation and synergy, and the need for a Baseline Survey towards developing an Economic and Social register for Obanliku. They emphasised the need to match words with action and also prayed for good health for the Executive Chairman and his team.
The highlight of the ceremony was the signing of the consultancy agreement with Korn Consult Limited. The Managing Consultant, Dr. OKorn Elvis, explained that the agreement centers on grants and partnership funding in the agriculture, infrastructure, and health sectors.
The inaugural ceremony also witnessed the presence of the Vice Chairman of the Council, Hon. Glory Awowoh; the Leader of the Council, Hon. Sunday Elam; Obanliku Community Relation Officer, Chief Linus Afen, the Secretary of Council, Dr. Joseph Agba, Advisory Council Members such as Barr. Pius Awah, Chief Emmanuel Inakefe, Mr. Festus Utsu, Honourable Councillors, the Legislative Clerk, and political appointees, amongst others.
