BY EMMANUEL IKPE, UYO
Governor Udom Emmanuel has called on Ward Councillors in Akwa Ibom State to be agents of peace and discipline expected of them as leaders given the task of community development
He made the call while addressing the ward Councillors during a two-day Leadership Retreat, with the theme ‘Leadership for Service and Victory’ on Sunday, at Ibom Icon Hotel and Golf Resort Uyo.
The Governor said the essence of organizing the retreat for the 368 Ward Councillors in the State has been a fulfilment of his promise to prepare them with requisite leadership skills for an effective interface with the rural communities.
“The reason we pass this knowledge is that you can also use it to build your families because in your homes, families and wards, you are a leader and once you are a leader there are certain things expected of you.
“Some of you lead groups, committees, communities and you must provide leadership at wards, at any level that you have an opportunity you must provide leadership. I want you to see this as an opportunity to lead a good life”, the governor stated.
Governor Emmanuel harped on the need for Ward Councillors to inculcate loyalty as an essential leadership virtue which can stand them out in future.eas, principally due to poor funding, however, advocated the need for Local Government Areas to access more re
Mr Emmanuel who gave reasons for the neglect of the Local Government Arvenue allocation from the federal government, stressing that adequate funding and attention will serve as a major support to build our rural communities.
“You need to know how much you get as a Local Government, I am one of those who still emphasize that if the grassroot must be built we need to look at the revenue allocation, take more from the centre and give it to the grassroot because they are closer to the people so that we can build a stronger society”
The Chief Executive, however, thanked the facilitator’s Peculiar People Management ( PPM) in conjunction with the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, for organizing the retreat and also commended the orderliness of the ward Councillors during the retreat.
Earlier in his remarks, Secretary to the State Government, Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem, described the councillors as leaders in their various wards and urged them not to give themselves to prejudice or allow it to influence their official conduct at any time.
Dr. Ekuwem further enjoined the councillors to be self-confident in themselves and exhibit a high sense of discipline without inferiority complex to lead boldly by example.
Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Frank Archibong in his welcome remarks thanked Governor Udom Emmanuel for keeping to his promise to the Councillors and called on the 368 councillors who participated to make the retreat count in order to replicate the knowledge gained at the grassroots level.
In a goodwill message, the immediate past Commissioner for Lands, Pastor Umo Eno, commended Governor Emmanuel for organizing the retreat which he noted will build the capacity and ideas of the ward leaders and empower them to harness resources towards the development of the rural communities.
Also in a goodwill message, the National Coordinator, Maintain Peace Movement (MPM) Barr. Enoidem urged councillors to take advantage of the retreat as leaders in their various communities and apply the knowledge gained positively as they have the onerous task to select leaders that will sustain the legacy of the present administration.
The Chairman of ALGON, Engr. Iniobong Robson thanked Governor Udom Emmanuel for keeping to his promise in approving the retreat for Councillors in the state.
One of the resource persons, Dr. Maxwell Ubah, spoke on the importance of leadership and the four principles of leadership, pointing out that leadership has a generational impact and it is about securing the future of the next generation.