Ukorebi Esien | November 10, 2025
CALABAR — In a rare display of transparency, accountability, and people-centered leadership, Hon. Augustine Edet, Councillor representing Ward 5 in Calabar Municipality, has rendered a comprehensive account of his one year in office, showcasing remarkable progress across key sectors of community development.
Guided by the People's First philosophy of His Excellency, Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu, and working in close partnership with the Mayor of Calabar Municipality, Rt. Hon. James Anam Okon, Hon. Edet has redefined grassroots representation through servant leadership, innovation, and inclusive governance.
At the heart of his performance is the Ward 5 Development Initiative (W5DI), a visionary, multi-sectoral plan focused on education, healthcare, infrastructure, empowerment, and environmental sustainability. This blueprint has become the foundation for the many tangible results Ward 5 residents now celebrate.
Education as a Cornerstone of Progress
As a representative of the people, Hon. Edet believes education is the bedrock of development in Ward 5. Within one year, he has facilitated the renovation of Ekorinim Primary School following a motion he sponsored in the Legislative Council and supported the near-completion of a new classroom block at Migrant Technical College, Ekorinim, executed by SUBEB and currently at 95% completion.
To tackle school dropouts and improve access to learning, he awarded over 34 scholarships to indigent pupils and students, distributed writing materials, and facilitated free JAMB registration for young school leavers under the Governor's Youth Empowerment Initiative.
He also sponsored motions to curb illegal trading activities within school premises, leading to Council interventions that protected the learning environment and secured school property.
Health and Community Well-being
Recognizing health as the foundation of community productivity, Hon. Edet sponsored motions for the renovation of the Ekorinim Health Centre, now billed for a total overhaul, and advocated for the rehabilitation of Diamond Health Centre to strengthen primary healthcare delivery.
Through his regular engagement with local health officers, he ensured consistent sanitation and maintenance of health facilities, interventions that have improved hygiene and access to essential medical services, especially for women and children.
Additionally, he provided direct financial and medication support to 15 residents to enable them access medical care, reflecting his compassionate and responsive leadership style.
Infrastructure Renewal and Market Development
Under his Ward 5 Development Initiative (W5DI), Hon. Edet prioritized the protection and development of public infrastructure. One of his most notable interventions was sponsoring a motion and petition that stopped illegal encroachment on the government-approved Ekorinim Model Market land, effectively safeguarding over 45,000 square meters of community property from private land grabbers.
He has also been at the forefront of advocacy for the construction of a modern Ekorinim Community Market, complete with standard stalls, drainage systems, solar lighting, public toilets, and waste disposal facilities.
CALABAR — In a rare display of transparency, accountability, and people-centered leadership, Hon. Augustine Edet, Councillor representing Ward 5 in Calabar Municipality, has rendered a comprehensive account of his one year in office, showcasing remarkable progress across key sectors of community development.
Guided by the People's First philosophy of His Excellency, Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu, and working in close partnership with the Mayor of Calabar Municipality, Rt. Hon. James Anam Okon, Hon. Edet has redefined grassroots representation through servant leadership, innovation, and inclusive governance.
At the heart of his performance is the Ward 5 Development Initiative (W5DI), a visionary, multi-sectoral plan focused on education, healthcare, infrastructure, empowerment, and environmental sustainability. This blueprint has become the foundation for the many tangible results Ward 5 residents now celebrate.
Education as a Cornerstone of Progress
As a representative of the people, Hon. Edet believes education is the bedrock of development in Ward 5. Within one year, he has facilitated the renovation of Ekorinim Primary School following a motion he sponsored in the Legislative Council and supported the near-completion of a new classroom block at Migrant Technical College, Ekorinim, executed by SUBEB and currently at 95% completion.
To tackle school dropouts and improve access to learning, he awarded over 34 scholarships to indigent pupils and students, distributed writing materials, and facilitated free JAMB registration for young school leavers under the Governor's Youth Empowerment Initiative.
He also sponsored motions to curb illegal trading activities within school premises, leading to Council interventions that protected the learning environment and secured school property.
Health and Community Well-being
Recognizing health as the foundation of community productivity, Hon. Edet sponsored motions for the renovation of the Ekorinim Health Centre, now billed for a total overhaul, and advocated for the rehabilitation of Diamond Health Centre to strengthen primary healthcare delivery.
Through his regular engagement with local health officers, he ensured consistent sanitation and maintenance of health facilities, interventions that have improved hygiene and access to essential medical services, especially for women and children.
Additionally, he provided direct financial and medication support to 15 residents to enable them access medical care, reflecting his compassionate and responsive leadership style.
Infrastructure Renewal and Market Development
Under his Ward 5 Development Initiative (W5DI), Hon. Edet prioritized the protection and development of public infrastructure. One of his most notable interventions was sponsoring a motion and petition that stopped illegal encroachment on the government-approved Ekorinim Model Market land, effectively safeguarding over 45,000 square meters of community property from private land grabbers.
He has also been at the forefront of advocacy for the construction of a modern Ekorinim Community Market, complete with standard stalls, drainage systems, solar lighting, public toilets, and waste disposal facilities.
Furthermore, he identified and recommended nine critical community roads for inclusion in the Municipality's development plan and has continued to engage authorities on the extension of streetlights to enhance safety and support nightlife businesses.
Environmental Sanitation and Peacebuilding
For twelve consecutive months, Hon. Edet has personally led the monthly environmental sanitation exercise across Ward 5, mobilizing residents, youth groups, and associations to participate actively in keeping the community clean.
His leadership extends beyond sanitation into peacebuilding and conflict resolution. He has mediated and resolved several youth-related disputes in Ekorinim, encouraged nonviolent grievance handling, and advocated for the establishment of vigilante groups and community policing to safeguard public facilities.
These actions have enhanced peace, safety, and civic discipline across Ward 5, making it one of the most stable wards within the Municipality.
Empowerment and Human Capital Development
True to his promise of inclusive representation, Hon. Edet has invested heavily in empowering his constituents. He has sponsored two youths for vocational training, one in driving and another in plumbing, to promote self-reliance and reduce unemployment.
He initiated a monthly widow-support scheme that provides stipends of ₦5,000 to several widows, extended small business grants to petty traders, and facilitated linkages for unemployed youths through the Agricultural Development Programme.
He also supported eight families with funeral assistance, demonstrating empathy and solidarity in times of loss.
Legislative Impact and Governance
Apart from giving his people visible representation, Hon. Edet's contributions in the Legislative Council have been far-reaching, as he has been very instrumental playing vital roles in the drafting of two major bills and sponsored several motions that have had direct impact on the people. The two bills are:
A Bill for a Bye-law to Establish the Calabar Municipal Empowerment and Social Welfare Programme, and
A Bill to Harmonize Levies, Tolls, Fees, and Other Charges within Calabar Municipality.
Environmental Sanitation and Peacebuilding
For twelve consecutive months, Hon. Edet has personally led the monthly environmental sanitation exercise across Ward 5, mobilizing residents, youth groups, and associations to participate actively in keeping the community clean.
His leadership extends beyond sanitation into peacebuilding and conflict resolution. He has mediated and resolved several youth-related disputes in Ekorinim, encouraged nonviolent grievance handling, and advocated for the establishment of vigilante groups and community policing to safeguard public facilities.
These actions have enhanced peace, safety, and civic discipline across Ward 5, making it one of the most stable wards within the Municipality.
Empowerment and Human Capital Development
True to his promise of inclusive representation, Hon. Edet has invested heavily in empowering his constituents. He has sponsored two youths for vocational training, one in driving and another in plumbing, to promote self-reliance and reduce unemployment.
He initiated a monthly widow-support scheme that provides stipends of ₦5,000 to several widows, extended small business grants to petty traders, and facilitated linkages for unemployed youths through the Agricultural Development Programme.
He also supported eight families with funeral assistance, demonstrating empathy and solidarity in times of loss.
Legislative Impact and Governance
Apart from giving his people visible representation, Hon. Edet's contributions in the Legislative Council have been far-reaching, as he has been very instrumental playing vital roles in the drafting of two major bills and sponsored several motions that have had direct impact on the people. The two bills are:
A Bill for a Bye-law to Establish the Calabar Municipal Empowerment and Social Welfare Programme, and
A Bill to Harmonize Levies, Tolls, Fees, and Other Charges within Calabar Municipality.
These legislative efforts are geared toward improving social welfare, reducing multiple taxation, and strengthening local government accountability. His active participation in public hearings and committee work has further ensured that the laws passed by the Council reflect the needs of ordinary citizens.
Partnerships and Collaboration
Throughout his tenure, Hon. Edet has maintained strong relationships with government ministries, departments, and agencies, including the Ministries of Education, Health, and Local Government Affairs. He has also worked closely with traditional leaders, community heads, and stakeholders within Ward 5 to foster unity and inclusive governance.
Regular meetings with ward executives and stakeholders have provided platforms for dialogue, feedback, and joint problem-solving, deepening citizen participation in governance.
A Message of Gratitude and Hope
Marking one year in office, Hon. Edet expressed deep gratitude to God for the grace to serve, to the people of Ward 5 for their trust, and to Governor Bassey Otu for empowering councillors to deliver effectively at the grassroots.
"Let's join hands together and build Ward 5. Let's support our Governor, Sen. Prince Bassey Otu, and our Chairman to deliver the dividends of democracy. With continued support, the best of Ward 5 is yet to come,"— Hon. Augustine Edet Nyong
Editorial
In just one year, Hon. Augustine Edet has proven that genuine representation at the grassroots can produce measurable impact. From education and healthcare to empowerment, infrastructure, and peacebuilding, his record of performance embodies the true essence of servant leadership.
As he embarks on his second year in office, residents of Ward 5 look forward to even greater strides under his watch, a testimony that with vision, empathy, and accountability, local governance can indeed transform lives from the bottom up.
Through his Ward 5 Development Initiative (W5DI), he has achieved progress in education, healthcare, infrastructure, empowerment, and environmental sanitation. His efforts include renovating schools, awarding scholarships, advocating health centre rehabilitation, empowering widows and youths, and promoting community peace and cleanliness.
As a proactive lawmaker, Hon. Edet backed bills to strengthen social welfare and harmonize levies, while maintaining transparency and active community engagement.
The editorial commends his servant leadership style, describing him as a model of accountable, people-centered governance. It also urges him to sustain the momentum in his second year and institutionalize his achievements for long-term impact.
As a proactive lawmaker, Hon. Edet backed bills to strengthen social welfare and harmonize levies, while maintaining transparency and active community engagement.
The editorial commends his servant leadership style, describing him as a model of accountable, people-centered governance. It also urges him to sustain the momentum in his second year and institutionalize his achievements for long-term impact.
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