By Beatrice Akpala
As part of the activities marking his 100 days in office, the Honourable Member representing Obubra/ Etung Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Mike Etaba, has, in line with his vision, carried out his laudable 2023 empowerment programmes in his Federal Constituency.
The event was yet another great milestone in Rt. Hon. Etaba's many intervention packages that have become so encapsulated and synonymous with his campaign messages to the entire people of Obubra/Etung Federal Constituency.
As usual, he was physically present at the event that drew enormous crowd and beneficiaries from across the entire Constituency in both Obubra and Etung Local Government Areas.
The people and indeed, the entire beneficiaries poured lavish and heavy encomiums on the member of the National Assembly whom they see as both their political messiah and mentor, whom God had destined to play principal roles of empowering them at this time of their lives.
Speaking Rt. Hon. Mike Etaba, noted that the empowerment programmes is his way of reaching out to his Constituents who stood by him and accorded him the needed support to return to the National Assembly as a very privileged and distinguished third term House of Representatives Member, a feat which has never happened before in the political history of Obubra/Etung Federal Constituency.
He said that he would continue to empower his people come what may.
He disclosed that this is just the first phase of the programmes which will not run its course until his last day in power.
Rt. Hon. Etaba maintained that it is a great privilege to be of service to the people and that he will never take that for granted. He called on all the politically conscious people of Obubra/Etung Federal Constituency to extend their hands of fellowship and support to the Senator (Prince) Bassey Edet Otu’s led administration for the good of every Cross Riverian.
In his contribution, the Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Obubra and former Minority Leader in the Cross River State House of Assembly, Chief Alex Irek, highly commended the initiative of Rt. Hon. Mike Etaba for always identifying with the people at the grassroots and for striving at all times to give them a sense of belonging. The party chieftain admonished all the beneficiaries on the proper utilization of the motorbikes, adding that they were not to be used for robbery and other forms of criminality. He described the empowerment programmes of Rt. Hon. Etaba in emotive words, saying that they were all worthy of immediate emulation and asked all elected public office holders to understudy the good works of the National Assembly Member with a view to replicating same programmes in their own various Constituencies. Chief Alex Irek expressed happiness that Rt. Hon. Mike Etaba is gaining strategic importance in the National Assembly, for navigating credibly well in all his deliberations. He reiterated that Rt. Hon. Mike Etaba's nomination as the Chairman, House Committee on Public Petitions is indicative of the fact that he is an integral part of the scheme of things.
Also speaking, the Coordinator of Iyamoyong Ward, Mr. Nsiyang Ogar Okey, said that Rt. Hon. Etaba has been of great assistance to the people. He said that the cash gifts, motorbikes and grinding machines will definitely improve the quality of life of the people.
Rt. Hon. Etaba summarized the empowerment programme event by calling on the people to always be law abiding. He praised the erstwhile Governor, Senator Prof. Ben Ayade, for giving him all the political and moral leverage to succeed in the last national assembly elections.
He also noted that the same level of support and solidarity shown by the people towards the former Governor should be replicated to Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu and his People First political mantra. The empowerment programmes of Rt. Hon Mike Etaba have never failed to live up to expectations and they have become a constant decimal in Obubra/ Etung Federal Constituency.
*Hon, Bill Francis Bill Snr Spokesperson to Governor Prince otu and Snr Chief advocate to Hon Mike Eteba*