Ugep People Consultative Assembly Charts 40-Year Strategic Plan for Community Growth
By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News
In a bold move to foster unity and accelerate development, the Ugep People Consultative Assembly (UPCA) has declared its commitment to uniting indigenes of Ugep in Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State under a common vision of service, communal responsibility, and prosperity.
The announcement was made during the 2025 UPCA General Assembly and Town Hall Meeting held in Ugep, where prominent community leaders, government officials, and indigenes gathered to discuss the way forward for one of the most prominent communities in Cross River State.
A Call for Unity and a Strategic 40-Year Development Agenda
Speaking at the meeting, Professor Oka Obono, Africa’s first Professor of Ethnography and the President of UPCA, emphasised that meaningful development can only be achieved through a deliberate, long-term strategy that involves every son and daughter of Ugep.
According to him, Ugep must look beyond temporary solutions and instead adopt a 40-year strategic development plan that will ensure steady and sustainable progress.
“For the community to enjoy assured growth and development, it must leverage on the August homecoming of indigenes, using the occasion to discuss challenges that constantly confront us,” Obono said.
“As we discuss, we must focus on a 40-year strategic development plan that will engineer and extend the deliberate development of Ugep.”
The academic further stressed that continuous engagement with the people will enable UPCA to gather vital feedback that reflects the real needs of the community. This feedback, he said, would then be translated into actionable initiatives that can directly tackle pressing problems such as infrastructure deficits, education, healthcare, youth empowerment, and cultural preservation.
Local Government’s Support for Community Development
The event also attracted the attention of the Chairman of Yakurr LGA, Hon. Yibala Inyang, who was represented by the Supervisor for Health, Patrick Ije.
In his remarks, the Chairman praised UPCA for demonstrating exceptional commitment to community responsibility and for setting a model for other local communities. He described UPCA as an organisation that has proven its ability to mobilise resources, articulate a clear vision, and inspire participation among the people.
Hon. Inyang also pledged his support for the initiative, assuring the assembly that the Yakurr Local Government Council is ready to collaborate with UPCA to bring development to Ugep. As a demonstration of this support, he made a cash donation to the association.
Royal Endorsement from the Paramount Ruler
Another significant moment at the town hall meeting was the presence and blessing of the Obol Lopon of Ugep and Paramount Ruler of Yakurr LGA, His Royal Majesty Obol Ofem Ubana Eteng.
In his goodwill message, the monarch praised the visionary leadership of UPCA and commended its members for taking practical steps towards uplifting the Ugep community. He urged all indigenes to embrace the initiative and contribute their quota towards its success.
The royal father also assured UPCA of his continuous support, promising to use his influence to rally more community members and leaders around the initiative. His blessing, many attendees noted, symbolised the cultural and spiritual endorsement of the programme.
UPCA’s Broader Vision for Ugep
The Ugep People Consultative Assembly, under the leadership of Prof. Obono, has been widely recognised for its effort to reposition Ugep as a community driven by unity and development.
The organisation seeks to bring together professionals, entrepreneurs, traditional leaders, women, and youth into a broad-based coalition of interests, with the central aim of driving community transformation. Its approach places emphasis on inclusivity, transparency, and accountability.
Observers at the meeting noted that UPCA’s emphasis on a 40-year roadmap reflects a rare, forward-thinking mindset, especially in a context where community development is often limited to short-term projects. The long-term plan, if implemented, is expected to address issues ranging from road infrastructure and electricity to educational empowerment, healthcare, job creation, cultural preservation, and tourism development.
The August Homecoming: A Catalyst for Renewal
The annual August homecoming of Ugep indigenes has always been a cultural highlight, bringing together sons and daughters from across Nigeria and the diaspora. UPCA is now repositioning this homecoming as not just a cultural celebration, but also a platform for dialogue, planning, and resource mobilisation.
By merging cultural pride with strategic development discussions, UPCA aims to make the homecoming a catalyst for renewal, ensuring that every gathering translates into tangible benefits for the community.
Looking Ahead
As the 2025 assembly drew to a close, participants expressed optimism that UPCA’s blueprint could inspire other communities within Cross River State and beyond to adopt similar models of collective planning and responsibility.
With the blessing of the traditional institution, the support of local government authorities, and the commitment of the people, many believe that the Ugep People Consultative Assembly has laid the foundation for a new era of unity and development.
For now, all eyes are on UPCA as it begins the arduous but promising task of translating its vision into measurable outcomes that will stand the test of time.
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