Atan Onoyom, Eniong Abatim: Array of Hope Returns to the Riverine Community, As Leaders Sue for Peace To Attract Development

 

The 2021 Annual Atan day may have come and gone  but it's memories will linger in the minds of participants for a very long time as the day afforded sons and daughters of the land an opportunity to reunite, replan and restrategize on ways of attracting development to the community to rank it among top notch Communities in Odukpani, Cross River State.

Just about an hour drive from the Local Government Area headquarters, the village is  connected by a lonely road with significant deserted Communities which have been retired by communal clashes in the past  with evidence of skeletal structures still found alongside until it terminates at the water bank.

Accessing the Atan Onoyom Community ,one must ferry from one end to another, in order to break the geographical barriers and meet with people on the other side employing the services of local boat men who also places safety as their watch ward.

These people are mainly fishermen, they set traps and catch fishes for survival, young and old inclusive, but what does the future holds for these people? they are no longer waiting for faith to decide, they want to take their destinies in their hands, and as such gathered together to share wisdom ,ideas and even resources to get things done especially at the beginning of every year.

Speaking at the village square, a Community leader and serving Commissioner in the Cross River State sports Commission, Honourable Ekanem Ekpenyong admonished the youths to sue for peace as peace remains the only router to Development  in any Society.

He traced antecedents to neighbouring communities around Atan Onoyom which he said, that despite the level of civilization and development that was attracted by the elites there,such communities are now deserted and as such, their  infrastructures destroyed as a result of conflicts over things with little or no Significance.

He further called on all highly placed individuals from the community to assist youths in the areas in the areas of job placement, empowerments as well as in mentoring them to achieve their goals in life  as he also presented cash donations and other items to the community to enable them actualize some of their set projects in the 2021.

Speaking on the gesture and support offered to the community by Honourable Ekanem Ekpenyong, the Village head of the community, Chief Francis Effiom Idim, thanked him for always showing support towards the Development of the community as well as being a worthy ambassador of the village.

He asked God to bless him and increase him in order to touch more lives and raise genuine leaders who will attract growth and development to the area.

Highlight of the day was cultural display by men,women ,youths and a rich masquerade display to entertain guests.