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….Itoro Columba charges Youth Presidents on Peace
As part of Ikono Local Government Council’s vision towards ensuring existence of peace and security on lives and properties in all the one Hundred and Forty Nine villages, the Chairman of Ikono Local Government Council, Hon. Itoro Columba, organised A-2 Day seminar for all Village heads, Youth Presidents, Traditional Rulers Council, and other Community Leaders in Ikono.
The security training under the theme, “Peace and Economic Development Summit” began today, Thursday 20th, and will span through Monday 24th June, 2019, held at the Council Secretariat in Ibiaku Ntok Okpo.
With the focus on maximizing human innate abilities by training capable manpower that will boost economic potentials in the land, the programme geared at harnessing a level-playing field within leaders and provided a leeway on solving contemporary issues affecting them and possible method of working cordially with their counterparts from other LGAs.
Addressing the participants during the summit, the Chairman of Ikono Local Government Council who doubles as Chairman on the occasion, Akparawa Itoro Columba, expressed his delight on the mammoth turnout of leaders, saying the essence of the gathering is to ensure that there is an interface between the present Administration, all Youth Leaders and other community leaders in Ikono.
He said, some of the duties of Youth Presidents are, to assist their Village Heads in day-to-day running of their communities by entrenching the possibility of reducing theft, vandalism and redundancy. The council boss advised the leaders to be responsible and responsive enough to maintain affected facilities in their villages, since Government will not be there at all times.
The Media entrepreneur used the opportunity to reel out many achievements of this Administration with support of the State Government, ranging from installation of two WASH Water Projects across all the eleven wards in Ikono, Human Empowerment, Electrification projects, Roads’ grading and ors, enthusing that different communities must be committed to managing the spoilage and breakdown of facilities, by contributing insignificant sum which would be domiciled in the bank for their future use on projects’ maintenance.
On Local Government Autonomy, he dislodged the perception sponsored by opposition that ALGON refused Autonomy granted by Federal Government, explaining that All LG Chairmen in A’Ibom are fully in support of Autonomy. He hinted natives on wrongful and undue process which if corrected, would grant full Autonomy in all its ramifications.
Speaking further, the chairman sensitized participants on the need to create enabling environment for peace to thrive. He charged them to maintain orderliness, oneness and unity in their domain, given the importance of the training.
The council boss extolled the relevance of all Youth Presidents as field Marshals and equally admonished them to be ready for the battle ahead geared towards rescuing and managing manace sponsored to demage installations made available by Government.
Earlier the Guest Speaker, Eteidung (Prof) Effiong Akpan Essien JP who doubles as Village Head of Mbiakpa Ndiya in Ikono, presented his Keynote on the first topic tagged, “Youth Leaders as Ambassadors of Peace for Economic Development In Respective Communities”.
Delivering his paper, Chief Akpan cross-examined who are the Youths. He said, Youthfulness is a period between the ages of 15-34 years, sounding that leadership rests on the shoulders of young minds who are blessed by God with vigor, strength and passion for excellent community services.
The chartered Mediator, said Youth leaders are Ambassadors of progress and must be committed to Nation’s building with particular reference to different assigned tasks. Obong Akpan charged them to respect their parents, Village Heads and other political office holders which they work under; as pivot, such will enhance community accord, build formidable environment and sustain peace and process in the land.
Also speaking were Divisional Police Officer incharge of Ikono, SP Edet Udofia, WASH coordinator, Mr Emmanuel Udoh, NSCDC Divisional Officer incharge of Ikono, Superintendent Nino Robert, Clan Head of Ndiya, Chief Godswill Udoisang, Chairman Forum of Youth Presidents, Akparawa Ifiok Dericks and Supervisor for Education, Youth and Sports, Hon. George Okon.
Other Highlights included Roll call of Communities, Taking stock on projects installed by the present Administration, Questions and Answers segment, Distribution of Documents to All the 149 villages,
As the training continues on Monday, 24th June, the 2-Day seminar will also achieve the following: Certificates of Participants, Spotlight on the basic areas affecting all the 149 Villages, Assessment of dilapidated facilities, Creating of database to capture current Youth Presidents across board and opening of WASHCOM accounts for respective villages.
Present at the seminar were Vice Chairman of Ikono, Dr. Idoteyin Etokobong, Council Secretary, ObongAnwan Ofon Mike, Ikono Council of Traditional Rulers, Councillors from different wards, Supervisors, Special Advisers, Village Heads of all the 149 Villages in Ikono, All Youth Leaders, Community Leaders, Party Chieftains, Aides to the chairman, Other Stakeholders, Security Operatives.
