By Mercy Udoh
Leadership is best measured not by the length of time in office, but by the depth of impact felt in the lives of the people.
When the Chairman of Oruk Anam Local Government, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Sunday Festus assumed office on October 7, 2023, he unveiled the ASSURED Agenda — a seven-point blueprint built on Agriculture, Security, Sports, Unity, Rural Development, Education, and Digital Solutions. It was an ambitious promise, anchored in the conviction that governance must be people-centred, compassionate, and practical.
Twelve months later, the verdict is clear: the ASSURED IMPACTS are visible across Oruk Anam. From graded roads linking forgotten communities to thriving farms feeding households, from scholarships empowering young minds to tournaments uniting the wards, from grassroots security corps keeping villages safe to digital solutions shaping tomorrow, the narrative is one of service in action.
What began as a pledge has become a living testimony that progress is possible when vision meets commitment. And so, the first anniversary of Rt. Hon. Sunday Festus’ administration is not just a date on the calendar, but a celebration of hope restored, promises delivered, and a brighter Oruk Anam in the making.
On agriculture and food security, the Chairman has positioned Oruk Anam as a centre of productivity. The ASSURED Model Farm at Ikot Akpan Essien, covering twenty-seven hectares, is already yielding cucumber, tomatoes, pepper, pumpkin, watermelon, and cassava produce and is sold at subsidised rates to offtakers.
Yet, beyond cultivating crops, he has invested in cultivating people. Through the Outgrowers and Farmers’ Training Programmes, organised in collaboration with SAHEL Consulting Agriculture firm trained and equipped farmers with improved seedlings, modern irrigation techniques, and farm management skills.
Furthermore, linkages to markets have been created, ensuring farmers can reap the full rewards of their labour. These initiatives have not only boosted agricultural productivity but have also inspired farmers to see agriculture as a pathway to prosperity rather than mere subsistence.
On security, his administration inaugurated the Oruk Anam Community Safety Partnership Corps, a grassroots-driven initiative that brings communities together in protecting lives and property. His administration has also constantly collaborated with the Nigerian Police Force in the area as well as other military and paramilitary agencies for the security of Oruk Anam.
The Youth, sports, and culture, have equally flourished. The Suntus Unity Football Tournament, held across the sixteen wards, fostered peace, unity, and healthy competition among the youth. Furthermore, during the festive season, the Christmas for Champions Talent Hunt unearthed and celebrated creativity, showcasing the rich talents of Oruk Anam’s young people.
Moreso, last December, the Council under his leadership organised the first Christmas Carols Service in eight years, featuring a resounding choir of over 1,000 carol singers drawn from across the sixteen wards of Oruk Anam. The event rekindled the spirit of worship, unity, and cultural identity, bringing joy to thousands and restoring a long-cherished tradition.
Most significantly, under the leadership of Elder Festus, Oruk Anam youths excelled at the Akwa Ibom State Sports Festival, winning several medals across different sporting events. Their triumph brought pride to the Local Government and demonstrated that, when given the right support, Oruk Anam youths can compete and succeed on bigger stages.
In the sphere of empowerment and social welfare, lives are being transformed. Five constituents have received brand-new motorcycles, while over ninety ad-hoc staff have been employed across the Local Government.
Furthermore, more than 150 women have benefited from monthly business support grants through the office of his wife in collaboration with Mrs Ememobong Idiong, helping them grow their small businesses.
Moreso, initiatives such as the Pad a Girl Child project and the campaign against gender-based violence, both led by Deaconess Juliana Sunday Festus, further highlight the administration’s deep commitment to women and girls. These interventions, coupled with communal programmes like the Oruk Anam Youth Summit, continue to strengthen unity, harmony, and shared purpose.
Beyond programmes, he has deliberately used his office to foster peace among villages and communities, often presiding over sensitive communal issues and disputes. His administration has also mediated in matters between local communities and corporate organisations such as Sterling Global Limited, ensuring fairness, dialogue, and mutual understanding.
In the area of rural development, his administration has transformed the physical landscape of Oruk Anam. Thirty-two roads have been graded, thereby opening up rural communities and easing access for farmers, traders, and residents. These include Ukpom Edem Inyang in Ward 9, Ikot Afanga in Ward 8, and Usung Anwa Atat in Ward 7. In Ward 3, the Usung Nung Ita–Inen Ikot Obiom road was rehabilitated, while in Ward 6, the Atim Akpeke Eto–Ikot Ekaide -Eka–Eka Nung Ikot Village road was graded. The Obo Ndot and Primary School roads in Ndot Ikot Eda Village were completed in Ward 5. In Ward 2, roads such as Inen Ikot Offiong–Inen Nto Udo Akpan, Ibianga Asakpa, and Ibianga Ikot Akpaya were addressed, while in Ward 4, the Obio Ibiet Esa–Ikot Idem Udo and Ikot Akpa Inyang–Mbiakot Village roads received attention. Notable work was also done on the Ekemini Mansion Road and adjoining routes in Nung Ikot Obio Attai, Ikot Essien, and Ikot Obioruk in Ward 1, as well as the Ikot Obio Aduak–Ikot Akpan Utuk road in Ward 11. Roads in Ikot Esenam and Ukpum in Ward 12, as well as Ikot Adia and Ikot Uso Etuk in Ward 11, were also touched. Furthermore, Ward 14 witnessed road grading across Ikot Itoh, Ikot Otu, Ikot Osute, Ikot Obio Ata, and Ute Etok, underscoring the administration’s resolve to ensure that no community is left behind.
Moreso, the Council Secretariat has been given a befitting facelift with perimeter fencing, a new walkway, and extensive renovation works, creating a more dignified and conducive environment for administration. Moreover, the construction of the ASSURED Legacy Home for a widow at Utu Ikot Obio Ekpe, a tastefully built two-bedroom bungalow with two kitchens and a borehole, stands as a shining symbol of compassion in governance.
Also, work is ongoing at the ASSURED Stopover Plaza and Park a project that promises to become a vibrant hub for commerce and transportation. To complement this vision, the Chairman is set to provide two commercial buses that will convey workers to and from their workplaces at subsidised fares, easing mobility and reducing transportation costs.
Speaking on these projects, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Sunday Festus reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to rural development, declaring: “We won’t relent until the standard of living in the rural area is improved.”
Education and human capital development remain central to his vision. The launch of a 1,500-student scholarship programme at Hybro Polytechnic has opened doors for many, while ten indigenes are being sponsored at the More Leadership Academy. Furthermore, to support learning, exercise books have been distributed to schools, thereby easing the burdens of parents
. Moreover, the Oruk Anam Youth Summit brought together young people in an inspiring exchange of ideas, preparing them for leadership, innovation, and civic responsibility.
As Oruk Anam marks the first anniversary of Rt. Hon. (Elder) Sunday Festus’ administration, the story of the past year is one of service, compassion, and impact. From roads to farms, from schools to boreholes, from empowerment to sports and culture, his ASSURED IMPACTS have left no sector untouched. Truly, in just one year, a solid and shining foundation has been laid for even greater achievements in the years ahead.