27/08/2024
YALA LGA at 33!
Yala Leadership Summit, 2024.
On behalf of my family and the entire people of Ogoja/Yala federal constituency, I wish to congratulate the people of Yala LGA on this special 33rd anniversary of the creation of Yala LGA.
As you are all aware, it was a historic moment on August 27, 1991, when the then military government announced the creation of Yala LGA out of the Ogoja LGA. Thirty three years have passed already and today is a day to commemorate that decision that gave so much hope to our elders who fought for this recognition.
I wish to thank God Almighty for granting such prayers and aspirations of our people. My gratitude also goes to the former military President who gave the approval, and all the sons and daughters of Yala LGA who made it possible, especially the late Brigadier General Anthony Sunday Ikaba Ukpo.
This singular event brought the people of Yache, Gabu, Yala, Ukelle, Okpodon, Ezekwe and Igede as well as others together to share a common destiny. We are grateful for this coming together as I pray for the realization of the purpose of the creation of Yala LGA.
Many leaders have emerged since the creation of the Yala LGA and they all deserve our commendation for their service to our people. It is my belief that Yala LGA was created as a unit for effective governance of our people and not a point of identity to be separated from the people of Ogoja LGA. Even though we are two different LGAs now, but we are still one people. Ogoja and Yala LGAs remain one united federal constituency. So, our brotherhood remains intact.
The people of Yala LGA have passed through several developmental challenges since 1991, when we began this journey together but we are still very hopeful to meet the yearnings of our people. With just seven years left to complete our wilderness movement, I am so certain that our LGA that will serve our people better is coming soon.
For the past 14 months that I was inaugurated and serving you as your representative at the National Assembly, I have joined my colleagues to work for the good governance of our people. I have ongoing projects and interventions in the different Wards of the LGA. I recently initiated, with the support of some of my colleagues, a bill for the creation of Ogoja state, which I believe will provide us with a closer state government and open opportunities for more LGAs to be created out of the present Yala LGA. With the financial autonomy granted to LGAs in Nigeria to ensure that resources meant for the LGAs get to them directly, I am optimistic that better times are ahead.
I continue to ask for your prayers for me to serve you as your representative and be better than anyone who had represented you before in this office. I am totally committed to the Unity of our people, to the Peace, security and development of our people and area.
Despite all the suffering that our people have passed through, I am hopeful that such a transitional era will soon be over and together we can build a peaceful, united, secured and developed Yala LGA. Let us work together.
In the days ahead, there shall be a call for elections for the governance of the LGAs in Cross River State. This is an opportunity to prove that we can govern ourselves well. Let us ensure that the process is peaceful and our sons and daughters are elected to govern our people. Our people's party, the PDP that you all love and trust so well will surely offer the better candidates to serve our people and I am hopeful that when the time comes we will go for the better leaders to govern us well
I am so excited that by God's Providence, I am your elected representative at the House of Representatives at this time that our local government area is 33 years. I pledge to serve you with all my heart and body and during this period, our Yala LGA will always show the way as we have just done by commemorating Yala LGA at 33.
Once again, congratulations to all sons and daughters of Yala LGA at 33. May God bless our families, communities, Yala LGA, Cross River State and Nigeria as a whole.
Thank you all!
Hon. Barr. Godwin Offiono
Member representing Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency
National Assembly Complex, Abuja.
