ASATU board chairman advises against replacing elected EXCOs with caretaker committees

Mon, Feb 22, 2021
By editor
3 MIN READ

General News

CHIEF Damian Okeke-Ogene, the Chairman, Board of Trustees of Anambra State Association of Town Unions (ASATU), has advised the leadership of the group against installing caretaker committees in communities.
Okeke-Ogene gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka on Monday.
He regretted that caretaker committees were gradually taking the place of elected executives in ASATU.
He said that installing caretaker committees, rather than electing a new executive at the expiration of a tenure in any community, was a clear indication that there was no leadership.
He said that leadership at the grassroots level represented true leadership “because this is where credible people are called to serve their various communities at a given time.
“There should be a time frame, within which to settle any acrimony that would lead to a caretaker committee.
“We must demonstrate the capability to man our affairs,” Okeke-Ogene said.
He lauded the leadership of ASATU for the peaceful election of its new officers and urged the body to always replicate the same exercise in all the communities, whenever a tenure expired.
He also congratulated Chief Titus Akpudo from Eziowelle Community in the Idemili North Council Area, who emerged as the new state president of ASATU in a recent election.
His emergence came after a successful election conducted by the union, following the expiration of the three years and 10 months tenure of his predecessor, Chief Alex Onukwue.
“This can be done in the 179 communities of the state, let’s stop the fight and say no to caretaker committees in the communities,” Okeke-Ogene said.
He further urged the presidents-general of all the communities to ensure a healthy relationship between them and their traditional rulers in order to promote peace, oneness and brotherliness, needed for the development of their communities.
He appealed to the state government to release the “Community-choose-your-project fund” to the union to enable it to complete the Chimezie Ikeazor Cultural Center at Mgbakwu.
“I have to commend the government of Gov. Willie Obiano for this commitment to developing all the communities in Anambra, please I appeal for its sustenance,” he said.
Okeke-Ogene advised the new ASATU executive to work as a team and see its assignment as a service to the people.
Okeke-Ogene admonished the new president and his team to be transparent in all their dealings and seek assistance and advice in times of difficulties.
He commended the outgone president for piloting the affairs of the union without bias.
He said his tenure was characterized by peace and tranquility and hoped it would be sustained by the new leadership. (NAN)

– Feb. 22, 2021 @ 16:27 GMT /

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