By Mark Eneng
The much anticipated Obanliku Development Stakeholders Conference 2021 has successfully been held in Sankwala, headquarters of Obanliku Local Government Area, with stakeholders harping on the need for security consciousness, Peaceful Co-existence and unity among the citizens. Generally called “THE CONFAB”, the event took place amidst high expectations and participation, having all the different strata of both the young and old, with the full involvement of illustrious sons and daughters of Obanliku, all in attendance.
The opening and intercessory prayer was the beginning of the event and was carried out by a team of religious, led by Rev. Dr M. A. Ogar and other anointed men of God, who prayed for peace upon the Land of Obanliku.
While presenting the importance of the Conference in his address of welcome, the Central Planning Committee Chairman Hon. Akpi Unwanede, stressed that the forum was neither a Political gathering nor a religious function. He said it was a platform for dialogue.
“Let me welcome you to this planned Obanliku Development Stakeholders conference 2021.
We are gathered here not to discuss politics or religion, we are gathered here to develop our LGA. We are here to talk about our affairs and so, we will not even mention politics because it is not what makes Obanliku”.
“The conference is an initiative of Obanliku Traditional Rulers Council, the ODA, O.I and other Stakeholders, who have been wondering why our development has been so slow. We are nearly thirty (30) years as a Local Government and people have been asking ‘what have we done so far’, he said.
In his traditional blessings, the Paramount Ruler of Obanliku HRM Uchua Amos Item, prayed blessings upon the Land of Obanliku, while explaining that the essence of the meeting was to interact for a better Obanliku.
Declaring the event open, the Chairman of the conference Barr. Tanko Ashang, who is the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Cross River State, stated that the CONFAB was timely. The Attorney General maintained that development is a collective effort. He narrated that the Obanliku man naturally is a goal-getter and not a second class human while citing some historical antecedents to buttress the facts.
Also in her opening remarks, the Executive Chairman of Council, Hon. Evang. Margaret Inde, said the event wouldn’t have come at a better time other than this, noting that several times many persons had rather taken to social media to ventilate their grievances while also assuring that the event was a better platform to address such issues.
The event which featured prominently paper presentation from personages and scholars delved into an in-depth analysis of the pre and post challenges affecting the growth and development of the enclave, Obanliku.
One of the lead paper presenters, Prof. Joe Ushie, a proud son of Obanliku, in his usual manner of poetry and literary mastery, elucidated the myriad of challenges and the way forward for total development. Himself a scholar of no mean repute who blends traditional literary works with modern literature, demystified the mythical ethos associated with history and literature, where he admonished all to always have recourse to history so as to imbibe values that can mitigate the present societal crisis and thus, project into the future for possible cohesion.
Another son of the soil, a great historian whose public lecture has always erupted intrigues and emotional reactions from his listeners, Prof. Dave Imbua, gave a lecture on Political Recruitment and Leadership and canonized the essence of leadership. He averred that there can never be leadership in as much as the followers are not carried along by leaders. Prof. Imbua used the analogy of the traditional warrant chief system which he said was fraught with great incongruities of true leadership, to drive home his argument. This was followed by a presentation of the requirements for true leadership which includes Transparency, selflessness, integrity and accountability, among others.
On the way forward for a secured Community, CSP Afachung Pius who presented a lecture also called for synergy and collaboration between traditional institutions and the security agencies. He maintained that in all its effects, Law and Order was the Hallmark of any security efforts. He further emphasized the importance of security in the meaningful development of any society.
The two days event which climaxed with the adoption of a super communique from stakeholders with different participating groups was rated to be successful.
It had in attendance illustrious sons and daughters of Obanliku like; the Member Representing Obanliku in the State House of Assembly Hon. Sunday Achunekang; Commissioner for Education Dr E.G Amanke; Dr Dennis Uyanah; ODA President Calabar Surv. Justin Ukama; Prof. John Shiyam; Barr Pius Awah, Hon. Benedicta Kakwa; ODA National President Chief Sunday Ayang and a host of other dignitaries.
Meanwhile, a communique reached at the end of the conference is being processed, ready to hit the media shortly.
The occasion also featured support for some educationally less advantaged persons who showcased their talent in artistic designs.
The highpoint of the conference was a Thanksgiving Mass at the Mater Redemptoris Catholic Church, Sankwala.
