Celebrating Living Legacies: Highlights from the 7th Yala Achievers’ Summit & Awards
Asso. Prof. Rose Ohiama Ugbe honoured.
Yesterday, 27th July, 2025, the distinguished halls of the Metropolitan Hotel, Calabar, played host to the 7th edition of the Yala Achievers’ Summit & Awards—an evening dedicated to honouring excellence, celebrating milestones, and challenging prevailing narratives around leadership and legacy in Nigeria.
The event drew the crème de la crème of Cross River State society and prominent sons and daughters of Yala descent, united by a shared vision: to spotlight those whose commitment, sacrifice, and impact continue to shape communities, institutions, and the state at large.
The keynote address, delivered by Amb. (Dr.) Gabriel O. Egbe, immediate past Registrar of the University of Calabar and current Registrar of the University of Education and Entrepreneurship, Akamkpa, was nothing short of a clarion call.
Titled "Building Legacies: Celebrating Milestones," Dr. Egbe’s speech resonated deeply, moving beyond perfunctory celebration to a forceful reflection on the true essence of legacy.
In his words, the evening stood as “a noble defiance against a deeply rooted tradition” in our society—where people are only celebrated posthumously while silence reigns when they are alive and still giving. He praised the organisers for reversing this culture, describing the awards as a revolutionary act of celebrating living legacies whose works and voices speak powerfully in the present.
Three pillars of legacy—Achievement, Impact, and Memory— formed the backbone of Dr. Egbe’s message. He urged awardees and the wider audience to look beyond titles and material success and reflect on whose lives they have touched, what positive change they have driven, and what memories they will leave behind.
In an unsparing critique of systemic failings, he bemoaned a society where “snakes and monkeys are blamed for missing billions,” and where “thieves are given national honours while heroes go unnoticed.” Dr. Egbe called for an urgent clean-up of the entire process of conferring national honours, boldly proposing that Nigeria “suspend these national honours until honour is reserved for truly honourable individuals—not the politically connected.”
He decried the mockery of leadership that empowers thuggery or parades charity in the form of distributing caskets, stressing that true leadership is a sacred trust rooted in empowering people to stand on their own. His words challenged everyone in attendance:
“Legacy is not just what you leave to people, but what you leave in them… not the length of your life but the depth of your love; not the titles you wear, but the lives you touch.”
The evening saw several notable figures recognised for their contributions across public service, academia, business, activism, and entertainment. Awardees included:
Bishop Dr. Mrs. Eyoanwan Bassey Edet Otu, wife of the Governor of Cross River State
Senator Agom Jarigbe Agom, representing Cross River North (Man of the Year)
Associate Professor Senator Stephen Odey for his commendable strides as Commissioner of Education.
Associate Professor Rose Ohiama Ugbe, recognised for her selfless dedication to academia and leadership as former Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Calabar.
First Baba Isa (FBI), foremost human rights activist
Barr. Alphonsus Ogar Eba, APC State Chairman
Sen. John Owan Eno
Dr. Ikechukwu Henry Ukweh, CEO, Hogis Hotel
Sen. Ned Nwoko
Rt. Hon. Elvery Ayambem, Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly.
Comedian Godwin Komone (Gordons), honoured as a friend of the state
A posthumous award was presented to Late General Anthony Ukpo for his service to humanity, including his instrumental role in the creation of Yala Local Government Area.
The convener, Mr. Jacob Odey, aptly described the awardees as living testaments to perseverance and selfless leadership. In his words:
“Their success stories prove that real leadership, whether in the boardroom, classroom, or on the streets, is driven by commitment to others… their position is not just a title but a clarion call for action and service to the greater good.”
The evening ended on a reflective note, reminding all that while plaques and photos may fade, it is the silent footprints we leave in the lives of others that become our true and lasting legacy.
As Dr. Egbe so powerfully concluded:
“The legacy you build today may become someone else’s lifeline tomorrow.”
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