The Executive Chairman of Yala Local Government Area of Cross River State, Hon. Elder Dr Fred Okem, has held a solemn thanksgiving service to appreciate God for His faithfulness and grace throughout his one year in office. The event, held at the Yala Council Hall in Okpoma, brought together top council officials, political appointees, religious leaders, and community stakeholders in a show of unity and gratitude.
Thanksgiving to God and Renewed Commitment to Service
The thanksgiving service, Akahi News learnt, was attended by the Vice Chairman, Hon. Chief Goddy Odama; Secretary to Council, Chief Stephen Ogbaji; Head of Local Government Administration, Mrs Agboje; Supervisor for Works, Chief Joseph Ijoko; Supervisor for Health, Mrs Paulina Ujiji, among others. Also in attendance were several political aides, council staff, and the Divisional Police Officer for Yala.
Delivering the homily, Rev. Father Matthew Otuji urged leaders and workers within the local government to embrace harmony, teamwork, and mutual respect as the bedrock of progress and productivity. He noted that no leader can succeed in isolation, stressing the importance of collective effort and value-based leadership.
“One person cannot do it or have it all,” Rev. Otuji said. “You alone cannot manufacture the hoe, produce cassava, fertiliser, grading machine, and frying pan all at once — you would wear yourself out. God designed us to depend on one another.”
The cleric encouraged all principal officers to work collaboratively, maintaining interpersonal and inter-departmental communication to strengthen efficiency and unity within the council.
“Leadership is About Vision, Not Position” — Rev. Otuji
The preacher went further to explain that leadership requires vision, empathy, and consistency. He emphasised that when workers are valued and motivated, they perform better, adding that communication and appreciation are vital tools for team building.
“A leader must work with people, value them, motivate them — that is when every worker produces their best result. No one works without the other. There must be connectivity and inter-connectivity,” he declared.
Rev. Otuji also reminded appointees that their positions are opportunities to serve, not avenues for personal enrichment. He challenged supervisors, special assistants, and personal aides to prioritise service delivery over financial gains, warning that greed and complacency destroy purpose.
“Money is not everything. When you value your work and are committed to it, you’ll give your best. Don’t bring home frustrations to the office — come with focus and purpose. Evaluate your performance in the past year; if you didn’t do well, there is always room for correction,” he admonished.
Dr Okem: “We Shall Keep Working for Peace and Progress”
In his emotional thanksgiving remarks, Hon. Dr Fred Okem expressed deep gratitude to God for His protection and for sustaining peace across the local government in the last one year.
Akahi News gathered that Dr Okem, visibly moved, knelt in prayer, thanking God for giving him the grace to lead Yala with humility and wisdom. He reaffirmed his commitment to development and to leaving behind a lasting legacy of peace, growth, and integrity.
“I have developed a strong resistance to negativity. Everything I do will be positive towards developing Yala. I thank God for the absolute peace that has prevailed in our local government this past year, and we shall continue to preserve that peace with God on our side,” he said.
The Chairman also called for stronger collaboration between the executive, legislative, and civil service arms of the council, urging everyone to stay united and focused on the shared goal of development.
“Our strength lies in unity,” he added. “If we work together — without bitterness, envy, or division — Yala will rise and our people will rejoice.”
Council Secretary Praises Chairman’s Faith and Leadership
Speaking at the event, Chief Stephen Ogbaji, Secretary to the Council, commended Dr Okem’s spiritual devotion and humility in returning thanks to God. He likened the Chairman to the biblical Samaritan who came back to appreciate Jesus after being healed, noting that thanksgiving is a sign of wisdom and gratitude.
“You have always held God as your anchor, and that has worked for you. Continue in that path and the Supreme Being will not let you down,” Chief Ogbaji remarked.
He also appreciated Rev. Father Otuji for his powerful sermon and encouraged him to continue to provide spiritual guidance to the council whenever called upon.
A Call for Unity, Faith, and Purpose
The thanksgiving service ended with songs of praise, collective prayers for Yala’s growth, and renewed vows by political appointees and staff to serve faithfully in their various capacities.
As Akahi News observed, the atmosphere was one of reflection, gratitude, and renewed hope for a more united and prosperous Yala Local Government.
Dr Fred Okem’s call for patience, teamwork, and God-centred leadership resonated deeply with attendees, marking his first anniversary not just as a political milestone, but as a spiritual rededication to service.
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By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News
Joseph Iyaji is a journalist, educator, and founder of Akahi G. International, Akahi Tutors, and Akahi News. Read more about him here.
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