Gov. Umo Eno (right) in a handshake with the Ibesikpo Asutan LGA Chairman, Hon. Edidiong Inyang.
By Osondu Ahirika
I love Ibesikpo Asutan LGA. I have lived there for all of 13 years and my wife hails therefrom.
The totems of the two clans, Ibesikpo and Asutan are the Bull and the Lion respectively
Their slogan, ‘Ibesikpo isim ayara enang, oyom mkpa atuk enang isim’, is a metaphor for its enduring strength
Young in age and heart, but resolute in leadership.
Hon. Evangelist Edidiong Inyang is rewriting the story of Ibesikpo Asutan. Watching his every stride at work evinces bullish energy and grit.
If he persists on this path, then surely, Ibesikpo Asutan will become, not the proverbial bull in a China shop but that of the famous Wall Street Bull, signifying a strong stock market in which participants are optimistic and confident of growth and prosperity.
I now have cause to believe, Rt Hon Edidiong Inyang delights in the prosperity of his people.
He has graciously enrolled 10 indigenes for the slated one-month intensive training course, floated at Dakkada Skills Acquisition Centre, DASAC, on product manufacturing, a response to the clarion call by His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, PhD, on Local Government chieftains to invest in human capacity building. Most Council Chairmen are yet to return the forms for the month – one intensive training on products manufacturing.
Currently, two programmes are running at the Dakkada Skills Acquisition Centre.
A one-month intensive training course on product manufacturing and vocational training with a six-month duration.
It is cumulatively beneficial that the Local Government Areas enrol trainees in both at little cost.
The one-month intensive training for 10 is as low as 2.5 million Naira covering feeding, accommodation, and training materials for the duration of the training.
My bias for this to be specific is that it offers something novel.
For the uninitiated who are not aware, I need to repeat the wide scope it covers including:
Manufacturing of agro-allied products and herbicides.
Beverages, confectioneries, and food products.
Car-care products like engine oil, grease, clutch, and brake fluid.
Cosmetics /body care products as well as cleaning products such as bleach, scouring powder, toilet cleaner, etc.
Also, available in the course outline is the manufacturing of detergents – bars, liquid, and powder.
The manufacturing of all kinds of drinks – soft drinks, juice, wines, energy drinks, etc;
Production of fragrances like perfume, deodorants, and air fresheners.
Healthcare products such as broad-spectrum disinfectants, Dettol-type disinfectants, and methylated spirits.
Household products/ textile and leather dye. Products in this category include cold water starch, foam/mattress, toothpaste, shoe polish, and candles.
Trainees are at liberty to elect their areas of focus or interest.
Human Capacity Building for me would always remain the top investment of any leader.
Reason, Evangelist Edidiong Inyang deserves the encomium we now pour.
Besides, he has done and is doing more for Ibesikpo Asutan.
He initiated a rebranding and beautification of the Ibesikpo Asutan Council Secretariat
From the main entrance gate to the massive renovation of administrative buildings in the Council Secretariat.
Acquisition and installation of a new 500kva transformer to boost power supply in Nung Udoe and environs
So far six transformers have been released to villages facing blackout.
Refurbishment of Council Hall and offices and installation of modern solar lights in the Council.
Scholarships to students at various levels.
Building of an Ultra-Modern Village Hall in Mbierebe Obio.
Rehabilitation of Modern Borehole at Owut Uta and Ikot Akpa Edung
Rt Hon. Inyang who has spread appointments to 38 persons across Ibesikpo Asutan has more cards in the pipeline.
A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed for the proposed Ultra-Modern Market in Nung Udoe.
Plans are on for the building of an ICT centre, expansion of the existing Arise Farm in the area, building of a Mini Stadium and renovation of the remaining office block at the Secretariat.
These aren’t a cock and bull story.
There are other achievements such as:
Purchasing of complete musical and audial instruments for the Council’s use, landscaping of the Council premises, paying of monthly stipend to Village Heads among others, which, however, I consider as going the extra mile in serving his people as Council Chairman.
Let’s therefore salute the ‘pacifist Bull’, whose charge is for the prosperity of Ibesikpo Asutan People.
Rt Hon. Edidiong Inyang, remain lionhearted in your resolve to serve with distinction.
Ahirika is Head of Media and Advocacy, Ethical and Attitudinal Reorientation Commission, (EARCOM). Akwa Ibom State..