THE INAUGURAL SPEECH OF APPRECIATION AND INSIGHT TO PLAN-OF-ACTION

BY PRINCE EKPEYONG ESSIEN-THE STATE CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PERSONS

WITH DISABILITIES (JONAPWD), CROSS RIVER STATE CHAPTER.

 – 2nd March, 2024

“…Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” – Psalm 30:5(KJV)*

On the above premise, I, Ekpenyong Essien Ekpenyong gladly welcome you all to this new dawn of *Unification and Sweetness* in the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Cross River State Chapter.

Firstly, I ascribe all the glory to God for giving me this priviledge to address you as the newly elected State Chairman of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disability (JONAPWD), Cross River State Chapter.

This is a previledge that I accept with uttermost humility because I do not consider myself as the most qualified for this noble role rather, it is because you have entrusted me with this opportunity to serve you. I sincerely pledge that i will not take your noble trust for granted.

Secondly, I respectfully express my deepest condolence to the family of my predecessor, Honourable Livinus Okpa who passed-on to the great beyond in his quest for justice during his tenure as the State Chairman of JONAPWD, CRS Chapter.

My great Chairman, I commend your courage and steadfastness in defending your beliefs even till death. I am indeed humbled by the large shoes you left behind. May God have mercy upon your soul and grant you eternal rest. Amen

Also, I respectfully express my appreciation to Ms Omotunde Ellen Thompson, the Co- Founder and Chairperson, Board of Trustee, JONAPWD and Mother of over 35.5million Persons Living with Disabilities including veterans, first line responders, vulnerables etc whose practical and dedicated intervention in the leadership crisis that rocked JONAPWD, Cross River State Chapter for over2years is phenomenal.

Our dearest mother, we are grateful for availing us the opportunity to peruse the court judgement and enlightening us on the 2008 constitution. The only constitution that binds the legitimacy of JONAPWD, as a registered organization, under the laws of the Federal

Republic of Nigeria. This is evident as certified by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), the only regulatory body that is vested by law to certify any organisation operating in Nigeria. Apparently, this has triggered the historic process that gave birth to this executive board.

Today, Cross River State Chapter is binded and guided by the 2008 certified constitution hence we can pride ourselves as a pacesetter in championing the legitimacy of JONAPWD.

All kudos to our indefatigable Chairperson, mother and Co-Founder of JONAPWD.

Mummy, I remain grateful for your prayers, support and continuous words of encouragement.

You’re indeed a great woman of honour yet so humble and i feel previledged to drink from your well of wisdom. May God preserve you with longevity, sound health and the resources required to accomplish all your positive heart desires for JONAPWD. Amen.

Also, I acknowledge with uttermost respect and gratitude, Chief Eric Ndubueze Ufom, the legendary hero, godfather and Champion of Nigeria’s National and International Disability Civil Rights Movement and Policy Changers. A positive catalyst, change agent and barrier breaker for Persons with Disabilities. Sir, even when I am yet to meet you, the records of your contributions towards the emancipation of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs)from mental, physical and political bondage in Nigeria and the world at large is visionary and phenomenal. I deeply appreciate all your prayers and encouragement throughout this process.

May God increase you in wisdom and sustain you in sound health, long life and wealth to accomplish all your positive heart desires for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the global space. Amen.

Also, I acknowledge with deep sense of gratitude, CP. Gyogon Augustine Grimah, Commissioner of Police, CRS who exhibited maturity in his mediation and magnanimity in the support of actualising peace and unity in JONAPWD, CRS Chapter.

Sir, you’re indeed a good man, and your selfless efforts are highly commended.

Importantly, I respectfully acknowledge and deeply appreciate the roles of His Excellency Prince Bassey Otu, The Executive Governor of Cross River State and his amiable wife, Her Excellency, Rev. Mrs. Eyoanwan Otu.

Her Excellency, your motherly intervention has proffered the lasting solution to our internal crisis that lingered for over 2years.

Indeed, the pragmatic leadership exhibited in your wise words of advice, affirmative action, and financial support enabled us to actualise the dawn of “unification and sweetness” that we are celebrating today.

Her Excellency, you are the epitome of a good mother, and we are forever grateful.

I commend the gallantry efforts of some of our pioneers in the PWD community in Cross River State whom I wish to refer to as, “Generals”.

The courage you all exhibited in unanimously standing your grounds to resist all forms of oppression, intimidation and corruption from the divisive elements of JONAPWD, CRS, through constructive advocacy, words and actions is highly commendable.

Worthy of mention are the following personalities but not limited to; Mr. Job Napoleon aka the indefatigable hurricane, your show of doggedness, intellectual prowess, relentless drive and tireless commitment to matters that concern Persons With Disabilities in Cross River State, Nigeria and internationally makes you outstanding. Thank you for all your encouragement that contributed to my emergence even when the tides seemed to be working against me. May your good works speak for you as you keep the flag flying.

Proff. Jacob U.Agba the first renowned professor from the PWD community in Cross River State and the entire southern region. The  Caretaker Committee Chairman who acted professionally and selflessly to usher peace and unity to JONAPWD, Cross River State.

Comrade Ogar Inyang, the pioneer Chairman of JONAPWD, CRS, an ambassador of peace who has selflessly and severally offered from his well of wisdom to the advancement of JONAPWD,CRS.

I express my unreserved gratitude to all our Cluster heads, Local Government Chapter Chairmen and the likes of Pst. Bassey Mbang, a visionary, astute gentleman, and diligent leader of the albinism community. Dr. Samson Cyprian Ushie, an intelligent academic, eloquent and articulate fine gentleman who happens to be my very dear friend and the leader of my cluster.

Mr. Martins, a gentleman that is diligent, hardworking, committed and a pragmatic leader of the hearing impaired community.

Chief Dien, a big brother, committed friend and wise counsel. My great Chief, I am deeply grateful for your unflinching support and faith in me even when the tides were very rough.

God bless you Sir.

Mr. Tigana Anakari, my prolific campaign manager, your wisdom, commitment and energy is outstanding. You’re simply the best and I’m deeply grateful to you my dear brother.

My deepest gratitude goes out to many others who are yet to be mentioned due to the constraint of time.

Kindly pardon me for any name I am yet to mention as it is not an act of undermining your outstanding contributions to this collective success. I assure you that as we progress together on this journey, I shall amplify your due commendation in subsequent speeches.

Importantly, I most respectfully acknowledge the tireless efforts of all the members of our dogged Electoral Committee (ELECO)led by the vigorous Dr Juliet Diwa our own celebrated INEC Chairman and a quintessential female politician whom we are  proud is from the PWD community in CRS.

The show of objectivity, teamwork and strong-will exhibited by Dr Juliet’s led Electoral Committee in the conduct of a well organised, free, fair and credible elections within a limited time-frame of 7days making the organisation more united and formidable is worthy of loud applause.

Alas, the impact of their success to JONAPWD,CRS is phenomenal in comparison to the condemnable tale of an Agbo Ojua’s led Electoral Committee (Eleco) that lasted over 7months inspite of unaccounted huge resources yet were unable to conduct the same elections even after 10months.Rather,it left JONAPWD,CRS in disarray.

That experience is highly regrettable and may JONAPWD,CRS never experience such decadence again. Amen.

Also, I acknowledge and appreciate the support of the Commissioner of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation who exhibited pragmatic leadership by being present in person and representation to observe the smooth conduct of our elections, The Commissioner of Social Welfare and Community Development for facilitating the peace forum that was chaired by Her Excellency, the media, the entire people of Cross River State and Nigeria for standing by us through our trying times.

Above all, I respectfully acknowledge, appreciate and congratulate the entire members of JONAPWD and the PWD community in Cross River State for being the true heroes indeed.

I hereby pledge on behalf of my team not to take your representation for granted. Thank you so much for this opportunity.

 *2. “A house divided against itself cannot stand”* – Matthew 12:25(KJV).

Haven constitutionally received your mandate to serve JONAPWD, CRS, my team and i will proceed to execute your mandate efficiently and effectively.

To actualise your mandate, I respectfully implore all of us to genuinely sheath our swords and embrace sustainable peace and unity for the progress of JONAPWD,CRS and the entire country.

Firstly, in line with communicating the policy direction of my leadership, I respectfully express that my core mission as the State Chairman is to launder the image of Persons With Disabilities(PWD’s)from the subject of mockery, stigmatisation, deprivation, oppression, subjugation and other negative narratives by  projecting  and amplifying our strengths, strong- will, super abilities and other positive vices to the front burner of the narrative.

However, this mission cannot be achieved without peace, unity and a collective sense of purposeful responsibility amongst us.

We all need to be intentional as no one can love us better than we love ourselves hence no one can tidy-up our house except us.

As Chairman, I intend to administer as a team player that leads from the front. Our administration will be highly inclusive, engaging and interactive.

I assure you that everybody that engages constructively and responsibly in the quest to actualising the above mission will be carried along.

For clarification, the foundation of my leadership is built on the following pillars as captured in my manifesto that requested your mandate; 1. Self discovery and awareness. 2. Capacity building and development. 3. Inclusivity in government and governance. 4. Effective administration and structure. 5. Constructive networking and strategic partnerships.

My projection is that haven put the above pillars in proper place, JONAPWD, CRS will; i) Earn a dignified place as an asset to good governance rather than a liability. ii) Project and amplify the narrative of the positivity in our super abilities etc, etc.

*3. “He who fails to plan, plans to fail.* – Anonymous

I am cognisant that without proper strategy and planning, failure is inevitable irrespective of how lofty my ideas may seem hence as I constructively engage my plans-of-action with my unified team comprising my required appointees, we shall follow through with, but not limited to the following.

I, harmonise and superintendent a central informative system that is constructively engaging, interactive and regularly updated.

We will ensure that this medium of information dissemination and engagement will be available to and accessible by all.

This will be the only official medium to communicate all information to and from  JONAPWD, CRS.

The purpose of this medium is to curb and outrightly stop divisiveness, rumours, pull- down syndrome and all forms of negative vibes that have been used as tools of destruction rather than development through the years. ii. Digitalise our operations through effective technology in line with best practice to promote transparency, inclusivity and the strong sense of collective responsibility. iii. Research, acquire and develop as much as possible, the accurate data of  JONAPWD and the entire community of PWD’s in CRS to trigger and enable inclusiveness, sustainable empowerment programmes and effective planning. 4. Be intentional in prioritising campaigns of awareness that will amplify the super abilities of PWD’s in CRS.

5. Increase cash and resource inflow through responsible and transparent collection of dues, levies, donations, supports, grants, sponsorships, etc. 6. Encourage the strong sense of responsibility and commitment through reward programmes for deserving members, partners and supporters. 7. Build and develop constructive networks and strategic partnerships.

As part of the commitment in actualising our plan of action, I practically put my right leg forward in undertaking a project that will capture, “Peace Building and Reorientation” amongst PWD’s in Cross River State.

I humbly implore your unwavering support for my team and i as the details of our plans of action unfold in due time.

Be assured that we will always be guided with the understanding that, “Without YOU, there is no US.”

Once again, I thank you all for your mandate and unalloyed support as we collectively embark on this journey that is intended to make impacts of sustainable development and progress for JONAPWD,CRS Chapter.

I thank you for your time and anticipate your unalloyed cooperation.

God bless you.

God bless JONAPWD.

God bless Cross River State.

God bless Nigeria.

Yours truly,

Prince Ekpenyong Essien Ekpenyong.

Chairman, JONAPWD, CRS Chapter.