The first female President-General has been elected to drive the socio-cultural engine of the 92-year-old Oron Union in Akwa Ibom State.
She is Dr. (Mrs.) Janet Asuquo Amba, wife of the Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa State, Mr. Asuquo Amba. Until her emergence, she was the Vice President-General 1 of the union.
Mrs. Amba took over the reins of office from Dr. Effiong Edunam, a one-time Akwa Ibom Commissioner for Education and a university don.
In the election held on Sunday, December 31, 2017 at Oron Union Civic Centre, she polled 126 votes to clinch the coveted position against her closest rival, Prince Offong Ntofon who scored 39 votes, while Barr (Mrs) Mary Ewa and Dr Edet Ekerendu garnered 7 votes and 5 votes respectively.
Amba was declared winner by the electoral committee headed by Mr. Okon Enidiok.
Other newly elected and inaugurated members of the Central Executive Committee to run the affairs of the union for the next two years are: Dr. Asuquo Anwana, Vice President General l; Mr. Edet Amba, Vice President General II; Barr. Ita Okpoyo, Secretary General; Barr.Okon Abia, Assistant Secretary-General I as well as Mr. Solomon Akan, Assistant Secretary-General II.
Others are Esther Rufus Emmanuel, Treasurer; Mrs. Arit Peter, Financial Secretary; Comrade Ita Omunam, Publicity Secretary and Mrs. Alero Inyang, Welfare Officer.
Mrs. Amba thanked the people for bestowing her with position, and assured that her administration would passionately mobilise the people for the needed growth and progress of Oro people, suing for support and cooperation.
The President-General enjoined her executive members to see their positions as an opportunity to serve Oro people and promised that her administration would be transparent in its activities.
Mrs. Amba, who is the Chairperson, Police Officers Wives Association (POWA), Bayelsa State Command, stressed the need for love, unity and understanding among the people.
She said her victory was for the youth, the Oro people and the girl child.
“My victory is first for the youth which is what I stand for. It is also for the Oro people generally and the girl child. I remembered before today, most of the criticisms we got was on gender; that I was a woman and therefore I should not be elected as President-General of Oron Union.
“Really, for me to be elected President-General shows that Oro people especially the men love themselves- women and I thank God for that.
