It was a moment of joy, excitement and heartfelt emotions in Ohong Village, Obudu Local Government Area, on Tuesday, as about 300 aged women, widows and other vulnerable residents received food items and cash support from Mr. Julius Akem, Protocol Officer to the Chairman of Obudu Local Government Council, as part of activities marking the 2026 Obudu New Yam Festival.
The event, held at the Akem family compound in Ohong, Mr. Akem’s home community, brought together women from across the village for an afternoon of celebration, fellowship and support.
Akem, who initiated the outreach, distributed food items and cash to the beneficiaries, thanking them for honouring his invitation and joining his family in celebrating the New Yam Festival. He assured them of his continued commitment to reaching out to members of his community, particularly during festive periods and other occasions when support is most needed.
He noted that the gesture was not his first effort to support vulnerable people in his community, stressing that he had consistently sought opportunities to give back and put smiles on the faces of people around him.
According to Akem, the outreach was also his modest way of supporting the vision of his principal, the Executive Chairman of Obudu Local Government Council, Hon. Dr. Peter Akonfe Undiandeye, KSM, whose administration has continued to prioritise the welfare and wellbeing of the people.
He said reaching out to vulnerable residents was a way of complementing the Chairman’s social welfare efforts while also expressing his appreciation for his principal’s commitment to the people of Obudu.
The outreach provided the beneficiaries with an opportunity to celebrate the New Yam season in an atmosphere of togetherness while receiving practical support to ease the burden of current economic realities.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Chairman of Obudu Local Government Council, Hon. Dr. Peter Akonfe Undiandeye, KSM, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the welfare and wellbeing of residents across the council area, particularly the elderly, widows and other vulnerable members of society.
Dr. Undiandeye commended Akem for the initiative, describing the gesture as one that aligns with the social welfare agenda of his administration.
He noted that while his administration remains committed to infrastructure and other development initiatives, it also recognises the importance of programmes and interventions that directly touch the lives of ordinary residents and provide support to those who need it most.
The Chairman encouraged other well-meaning individuals, public officials and community leaders to emulate the gesture by supporting vulnerable persons within their communities and promoting the spirit of compassion, togetherness and shared prosperity.
The beneficiaries expressed overwhelming appreciation for the gesture. In a spontaneous display of joy, the women broke into songs of thanksgiving and appreciation, celebrating the support and the opportunity to come together during the festive season.
The ceremony was witnessed by the Vice Chairman of Council, Hon. Rhoda Ashong; Leader of the Obudu Legislative Assembly, Hon. Sam Ashibi; councillors and other appointees of the council.
