C'River: Mike Etaba Foundation Launches With Book Distribution, Anti-Cultism Campaign

 

C'River: Mike Etaba Foundation Launches With Book Distribution, Anti-Cultism Campaign

Ofodua, Obubra – The Mike Etaba Foundation (MEF) was formally launched on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, with the distribution of thousands of free branded exercise books to students across Obubra and Etung Federal Constituency. The event, held at the Commercial Secondary School in Ofodua, Obubra, was organized in collaboration with the Office of the First Lady of Cross River State.

The initiative, described as a grassroots-focused humanitarian drive, drew community leaders, government officials, educators, and enthusiastic students, all united in celebration of Rt. Hon. Mike Etaba’s legacy of service and people-centered representation.

Delivering her remarks, Lady Immaculate David Obi, Director for Women Affairs of the Foundation, praised Rt. Hon. Mike Etaba’s humility, responsiveness, and unwavering dedication to the people of Obubra and Etung. Drawing on biblical references, she highlighted the value of servant leadership and urged the public to resist judging leaders based on hearsay.

“Leadership is about vision, responsibility, and the courage to make unpopular but necessary decisions,” she said. “Rt. Hon. Etaba exemplifies true greatness by serving others.”

In a welcome address, the Foundation’s Chairman, Hon. Abeng Philip Ayo, described MEF as a think-tank made up of respected sons and daughters of Obubra committed to supporting the constituency’s development.

“This foundation is not a political platform. It is a movement of gratitude and vision,” Ayo said. “Our initiatives span educational support, empowerment of the vulnerable, and constructive engagement with the grassroots.”

He added that the Foundation was independently funded by its members, many of whom had directly benefited from Etaba’s generosity and community development efforts.

The Vice Chairman of the Foundation, Isangha Helen Marcel, gave an overview of MEF’s mission to institutionalize Rt. Hon. Etaba’s humanitarian gestures through projects such as youth mentorship, health awareness campaigns, anti-cultism drives, and long-term scholarship schemes.

Representing the Office of the First Lady, Special Adviser on Gender Mainstreaming to the Governor, Dr. Inyang Asibong, expressed appreciation for Etaba’s efforts, noting that the formation of MEF by his constituents was a testimony to his impact.

“When a people decide on their own to honour a leader, it means that leader is doing something right. Rt. Hon. Mike Etaba’s work speaks volumes,” she said.

Also present at the event, the Chairman of Obubra Local Government, Hon. Kingsley Arikpo, and the Obubra Chapter Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), commended the lawmaker and used the opportunity to urge students to shun cultism, uphold integrity, and become beacons of hope for their communities.

In one of the day’s highlights, CSP Innocent Ayabotu delivered a powerful lecture on the dangers of cultism and other anti-social vices. Addressing students in clear and practical terms, he warned them against being deceived by false promises of power or wealth.

“Cultism is the work people do without salary, and its reward is destruction,” CSP Ayabotu said. “You are the future senators, governors, and business leaders. Do not waste your destiny.”

He backed his message with real-life stories of youths lured into cults under false pretenses of empowerment or brotherhood and challenged students to think critically before making life-altering decisions.

Students who received the free exercise books were full of gratitude. They commended Rt. Hon. Etaba for relieving their parents of educational burdens and appealed for further interventions such as school renovation and improved infrastructure.

The event closed on a high note with a renewed call for community support and collaboration in building a brighter, safer, and more inclusive future for Obubra and Etung.