The inclement weather condition in the early hours of 1st September,2021 was not enough to deter the President of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees(NULGE) Akwa Ibom State Chapter, Comrade Anestina Iweh from leading staff of the 31 Local Government Councils in the State to observe the National Prayer and Fast for Local Government Autonomy in Nigeria
Comrade Anestina joined hundreds of staff of Uruan Local Government Council who gathered at the entrance of the Local Government Secretariat in Idu to pray as directed by the National Secretariat of NULGE
Addressing the staff before the prayer session, the State NULGE President thanked the staff of Uruan Local Government Council for coming out to observe the prayers and said that the leadership of the Union believes that with God, Local Government Autonomy will be actualized.
The General Secretary of NULGE, Comrade Chukuemeke Aguonye had on Monday, 23rd August 2021 signed and released a letter mandating staff of the 774 Local Government Councils in Nigeria to observe special fasting and prayer.
The letter captioned “special fasting and prayer session for the actualization of Local Government Autonomy” reads in parts
“As you are all aware, the struggle for the autonomy of Local Government in Nigeria has been a relentless battle by the union for over two decades. On two occasions, the National Assembly has graciously passed the bill granting Autonomy to Local Government but majority of the Governors prevented their state Houses of Assembly from passing same as required by the Constitution”
The release also stated ” in the ongoing review exercise by the 9th National Assembly it becomes imperative to avoid a repeat of the previous situations by taking the matter to the almighty”
” in view of the above, I have the directive to inform you about the resolve of the National Leadership of the Union to mobilize all members in the 774 Local Government Councils across the Country for special fasting and prayer”
” the prayer session should be both in Muslim and Christian version as the case may be. Please note that this fasting and prayer is mandatory and should be done simultaneously across the 774 Councils at same time. As stated earlier, this it becomes necessary for the divine intervention of the Almighty Allah in this struggle, it concluded.
The prayer which was held at the entrance of Uruan Local Government Secretariate commenced at 11:45 AM and ended at 12:30 PM as instructed by the National leadership and had in attendance the Branch NULGE Chairman, Comrade Innocent Akpan, the Director of Administration and General Services Mrs. Elizabeth Effet, the Director of Health Mrs. Rose Ukut, the Director of BPRS, Mr. Aniedi Udonte and the Council Chaplain, Mrs. Mfon Hilary.
