Men make history and not the other way around. In periods where there is no
leadership, society stands still. Progress occurs when courageous, skillful leaders seize
the opportunity to change things for the better. —Harry S. Truman
Development of rural communities has been a source of concern to governments and
development agencies for more than a century. Experts are of the view that
development will remain insignificant if it does not positively affect the lives of people at
the grassroots level.
Recognising this fact, various governments have implemented policies in rural areas in
order to enhance the living standard of the people and ensure general development of
the country. This has led to the design and operation of various courses of action to
promote growth and engender socio-economic stability. At the heart of these strategies
is the need to provide water, education, healthcare, access roads and improvement in
sanitation and hygiene.
Robin S. Sharma once said, "Leadership is not about a title or a designation. It's about
impact, influence and inspiration. Impact involves getting results, influence is about
spreading the passion you have for your work..."
For two years now since the appointment of Mr Edemidiong as the Transition
Chairman, Nsit Ubium Local Government Council, it has been smiles, praises, dividends
of democracy all the way by the people of the area courtesy of the indefatigable and
able leadership of the transition chairman.
The little i've known about him and my dealings with him as a person and of course as
my transition Chairman shows he's honest, focused, passionate, zealous, determined
and ever ready to serve. He knows the true essence of leadership and his impact have
so far been felt in.
He is one transition Chairman who have performed tremendously well without much
media hype. I came to understand that Hon. Edemidiong, believes in the biblical
admonition, "where services rendered to humanity shouldn't be publicized". Sorry Sir, I
have to do this.
On assumption of office, the philanthropist was able to identify key areas of needs by
the people to give priority attention. He has been so prudent and meticulous in handling
the resource of the council by making sure that the people get dividends of the
allocations received by the council under his administration.
As a young man who has respect for elders, he as been able to tap from the rich
wisdom of Elders in the area like Distinguished Senator Effiong Dickson Bob and many
others. The Transition chairman puts his people first and think about them before
himself. He goes out of his way most times to respond to the needs and challenges of
his people at any time.
As a man who believes so much in the people, it is common to see the chairman play
and mingle with his people without any security operative pushing the people away from
him. He enjoy staying with his people while other transition chairmen are running away
from their people, and visit the council headquarters occasionally with full squad security
operatives that prevent people from getting close to them.
Hon. Edemidiong dialogue and consult with traditional rules regularly on how best he
can serve them better. As a humble and diligent man, Mr Edemidiong has proven that
local government administration was indeed established to draw government closer to
the rural dwellers. He has made the people of Nsit Ubium feel very essence of local
government administration.
For two years and some months now, Hon. Otobong Edemidiong has been able to
focus on some major areas of needs for his people. Edemidiong is a grassroot leader
who have steadily made himself available to his people. He has executed several live
touching projects such as community water projects and electrification.
According to available statistics, vast majority of the population of rural communities
experiences physical or economic water scarcity. It is agreed that providing water for
agricultural productivity and domestic uses is critical for achieving food security and
improved rural livelihoods. At the same time, lack of access to water complicates
efforts to tackle poverty, improve healthcare delivery and boost efforts at land
distribution.
In general, water is basic for achieving progress in rural regions. Such stark realities was
what faced residents of Ukat Aran and Ikot Okoro villages on till God sent Hon
Edemidiong, he sponsored myriad of Nsit Ubium indigenes in tertiary institutions, and
also primary and post primary education through regular payment of tuition fees and
sundry charges etc. Other live touching projects such as sponsorship of medical bills,
workout employment opportunities for many, fully setup and powered poultry farm for
some farmers, empowered a handful of women with capital for small scale business.
All these and more have been graciously put in place to better the lives of Nsit Ubium
people despite the unfriendly economic situation.
Hello, I'm a Passionate Blogger, Social Media Consultant and An Engineer by profession...
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