…congratulates successful constituents, Charge all 462 Cadets to Maintain Professionalism
Yesterday, the Vice Chairman of, the House Committee on Police Institutions and Member representing Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency, Hon. Godwin Offiono attended the Passing Out Parade of Four Hundred and Sixty-Two (462) cadets from the Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil, Kano, into the Nigeria Police Force as Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASP), after completing five years of rigorous academic and professional training.
The lawmaker who doubled as acting Chairman of the House Committee on Police Institutions, was among the special guests at the epoch-making event.
In his remarks, Hon. Offiono congratulated his constituents who were among the graduates and their colleagues totalling 462 for completing their studies and enrollment into the force. He charged them to remain committed to service to the country and maintain a high level of professionalism throughout their career in the force.
The President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, represented at the event by Vice President Sen. Kashim Shetimma, GCON In his address, as the Special Guest of Honour, expressed his confidence in the new officers, urging them to carry out their duties with integrity, professionalism, and respect for human rights. He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting the Nigeria Police Force in its mission to maintain law and order, while also ensuring the welfare and development of its personnel.
The President also commended the leadership of the Force, the Lawmakers in charge of overseeing the Police Institutions and other associated institutions for their diligent work thus far.
The member representing Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency, Hon. Godwin Offiono, after disbursing about N20m to constituents during the constituency town hall meetings yesterday, has further distributed 600 bags of fertilizer to his constituents.
The lawmaker who is committed to supporting farmers to improve food supply in the federal constituency, has since his stay in office continuously supported farmers with fertilizer, cash grants and other farm inputs.
Also, the MP supported various groups and individuals with hybrid water-pumping machines and insecticide-treated Mosquito nets.
Beneficiaries who cut across the 24 wards of Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency, Non-indigenes, Traditional rulers, Clergies, Unions, etc, expressed their gratitude to the lawmaker for his efforts and pledged their continuous support
…constituents applaud lawmaker, assures him of continuous support and prayers
The member representing the good people of Ogoja/Yala federal constituency, Hon. Godwin Offiono today in separate town hall meetings in Ogoja and Yala LGAs, interacted with his constituents.
The MP remarked that the purpose of the meetings was to update the constituents on his journey so far in the National Assembly and also get their thoughts and suggestions, to shape his approach towards further development of the constituency. He also commended the constituents for their support so far.
The Constituents through various representatives expressed their appreciation to the MP for his performance so far and encouraged him to intensify efforts towards more projects. They urged the MP to conduct a needs assessment of all wards and develop a development plan according to the needs of all wards in the constituency because different wards have their peculiar needs.
Hon. Offiono while reacting, commended the constituents for their advice and assured them of full implementation as many more projects are underway through himself and the senator representing Cross River North Senatorial District, Senator Jarigbe Agom. He informed that, going forward projects will be strategically cited, and empowerment will be done carrying everyone along according to their needs.
Furthermore, as a way of appreciation, the MP disbursed about N20m to constituents across the 24 wards of Ogoja/Yala, including various groups and non-indigenous communities: Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba and Bekwarra communities. Others include NUT and Principals Union, CAN and Muslim community, Students and Youths bodies, representatives of APC, LP among other groups.
The event also witnessed the presentation of awards and gifts by the organisers of Yala Leadership Summit, and Tinapa Sports Club of Calabar, to the MP. The former councillor of Okpoma ward, Hon. Raphael Ikade who was a staunch member of APC and his mammoth supporters alongside Labour Party members defected to PDP. The defectors were received by the PDP State Chairman, Hon. Barr. Ven Ikem, Yala Chapter Chairman, Mr Elijah Okache, State Vice Chairman North, Chief Austin Edibe and state Youth Leader, Comrade Bonny Brown, where the defectors alluded to the purposeful representation of the PDP leadership amongst other genuine intentions as their reasons for dumping the APC and LP.
The town hall meetings were attended by the PDP state executive headed by Hon. Vena Ikem, Royal Fathers, representatives of all Political Parties, political wards, Religious groups, etc
The MP seized the opportunity to inspect the ongoing construction of an ultra-modern divisional police headquarters at Okpoma, Yala LGA facilitated by him.
As the people of Mbube in Ogoja LGA of Cross River State mark their annual new yam festival today, the member representing Ogoja/Yala federal constituency, Hon. Godwin Offiono felicitates with Mbube Nation.
Hon. Offiono expresses his happiness with the people of Mbube, commending them for their cheerfulness, unity and love. He acknowledges the historically rich cultural background of Mbube and lauded the people for sustaining the enviable culture.
As a good friend of Mbube, the MP commends the people for their support so far and promises to do everything by God’s grace to maintain his cordial friendship for the growth of Mbube land.
May God bless you as you celebrate this remarkable festival, and grant you fruitful harvest.
The Honorable Member representing the Ogoja/Yala federal constituency at the House of Representatives, Hon. Barr. Godwin Offiono is convening special town hall meetings with his constituents, scheduled as follows:
Yala LGA: Venue: World Peace Center, Okpoma, Yala. Time: 1 pm prompt
The Town Hall Meetings will provide a unique opportunity for the Honorable Member to meet with representative leaders of the Constituency to update them on issues of benefit to the people as well as receive their inputs and suggestions towards a comprehensive inclusive 10-year Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency Development Agenda.
The Honorable Member is hereby inviting constituents to participate in the Town Hall Meetings as indicated above.
The Honorable Member holds you in high esteem and looks forward to welcoming everyone in person at the Town Hall Meetings. Accept the assurances of the highest regards of the Honorable Member representing Ogoja/Yala federal constituency as you consider being part of this historic event.
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. Godwin Offiono, Honourable Member Representing Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency
As the people of Yache in Yala Local Government Area commemorate their new yam festival today, the Honourable member representing the people of Ogoja/Yala federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Godwin Offiono has sent his warm felicitation to Yache nation.
Hon. Offiono noted the cultural importance and advantage of celebrating the first harvest after the planting season. He lauded the people of Yache for maintaining the rich cultural heritage of Yache, despite the influence of globalization.
As their representative, the MP promises his continuous support in the legislature, project implementation, job opportunities, empowerment and so on. Although a significant achievement has been made in terms of job facilitation, project attraction and legislature, the MP reinstated his commitment to do much more at every given opportunity.
He prayed for a peaceful celebration. “On behalf of my family and the people of Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency, I heartily wish Yache Nation a blessed new yam celebration and bountiful harvest”- he prayed.
In what could be described as a reunion, yesterday, the House of Representatives member representing the Ogoja/Yala federal constituency received some foundation members of the late Senator Rose Oko’s political family, who were on a courtesy visit to him, as one of them, in his National Assembly office.
The group comprising of Engr. Steve Agbaka, Mr. Igbagri Anthony, Prince George Ogonyi, and Barr. Joseph Ohibi Ogar, said they were on a congratulatory visit to one of them. And to continue to foster unity and cordial working relationships as one family, indivisible friends, and brothers, for the overall good of Ogoja/Yala.
“We (including the MP) were the founding members of our late Amazon, Sen. Rose Oko’s political family. We are happy that one of us is a House of Representatives member today, and we have come to formally congratulate him and wish him the best as he pilots the affairs of our constituency. However, we have been seeing each other outside the office.” they said.
The MP welcomed and thanked them for their visit and support so far. Having prayed for the peaceful rest of the late Senator’s soul, Hon. Offiono encouraged the team to continue supporting each other for growth, unity, and the people’s general interest.
The member representing Ogoja/Yala federal constituency, Hon. Godwin Offiono received in courtesy, the Special Adviser to the Cross River State Governor, HE Senator Prince Bassey Otu, on National Assembly matters, Hon. Chris Njah Mbu-Ogar and his team, in his National Assembly office.
Hon. Ogar disclosed that they were on a courtesy visit to the MP to first and foremost congratulate him on his one year anniversary in office, and commend him for the cordial working relationship with the Cross River State Government under the leadership of Sen. Prince Bassey Otu, so far.
Ogar stated that there is a need to support and work in synergy with the Governor, for the betterment of Cross River State. He said both the state government and the National Assembly caucus will benefit greatly if they set aside party sentiment and work together as beloved Cross Riverians.
In reaction, Hon. Offiono welcomed them and commended the Governor for his thoughtfulness in uniting all and sundry for the good of the state. He said, so far, HE Sen. Prince Bassey Otu has done well, as the state is no longer the way it was before he was sworn-in.
The MP assured the Governor of his patriotism and cordial working relationship for the overall good of Cross Riverians. He seized the opportunity to plead with the Governor to extend his commendable infrastructural development to Ogoja/Yala federal constituency, lamenting the deplorable state of roads within the constituency.
It is with great pleasure and pride that we, the constituents of Ukelle nation in Ogoja/Yala federal constituency, extend our heartfelt congratulations to you on your one-year anniversary as an Honourable member of the House of Representatives representing Ogoja/Yala federal Constituency. Your unwavering dedication, tireless efforts, and remarkable leadership have truly made a positive impact on the lives of the people you serve. As we reflect on the past year, we are grateful for the significant projects and initiatives that you have attracted to our constituency within this short period of time which includes;
The construction of a Solar Power Borehole in Wanudu, Ijaraga ward.
The construction of a Solar Power Borehole in Igede Adi Ward.
Grading and expansion of streets in in Izekwe/Igede down to Anyugbe and its environs.
Supply of sport equipment in some selected schools in Ukelle.
Distribution of farm inputs to all the wards of Ukelle.
Supported some Ukelle sons with Agric cash grant and farm implements and chemicals. Your foresight and proactive approach in advocating for the development and welfare of our constituency have not gone unnoticed. From infrastructure improvements to social welfare programs, your relentless pursuit of progress has brought about tangible benefits to our constituents. Your commitment to inclusivity, transparency, and accountability in governance is truly commendable and serves as a shining example to aspiring leaders. Your willingness to listen to the concerns and needs of the people, and your proactive efforts to address them, reflect your genuine desire to represent our voices effectively in the corridors of power. As we celebrate this important milestone together, we want to express our deep appreciation for your service and dedication to our constituency. Your passion for public service and your advocacy for the betterment of our constituency inspire us all to work towards giving you the necessary support where needed.
On this auspicious occasion, we encourage you, Hon. Godwin Offiono, to continue your outstanding work and to pursue even greater accomplishments in the years ahead. Your vision for progress, your integrity in leadership, and your commitment to the welfare of the people are qualities that set you apart as a beacon of hope and progress for us all. May this anniversary mark the beginning of many more years of fruitful collaboration, meaningful impact, and shared success. Together, let us continue to build a stronger, more resilient, and more inclusive constituency where every voice is heard and every life is uplifted with gratitude, admiration, and optimism for the future.
The Goffio Gazette 