DOM EMMANUEL: BUILDING THE AKWA IBOM OF MY DREAMS -OBOLO EBOLO

 

 

DOM EMMANUEL: BUILDING THE AKWA IBOM OF MY DREAMS

 

Written by:

SIMEON DAVID REUBEN

 

Dreams are not just dreamt but are also built, either by the dreamer or by someone who has capacity to build it to reality. The annals of history are significantly punctuated with progress which was spearheaded by men who saw, championed and promoted realities which were not obvious to many.

 

About 32 years ago, the dream of our founding fathers was realized. A dream of our socio-political identity as a state of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was realized by the Ibrahim Babangida led-military administration. This reality was worthy of celebration owing to flashbacks of the tortuous trip to statehood. Invariably, 23rd September, 1987 was filled with ecstasy characterized with fine oratory, talking drums and clatters of unique dance steps. It was the beginning of a new course with new quest and dreams.

 

A dream says Ed Rowell "Is a better future in need of an architect who will show others how to make it a reality." I have always dreamt that one day, Akwa Ibom state will become a better place with a leader who has great dreams and drives.

 

So far, about 10 successful leadership team have ruled Akwa Ibom state, leading her through an abstract of interwinning assortment and potpourri of pains and gains. They include: Col. Tunde Ogbeha; Col. Godwin Abbey; Wing Commander Idongesit Nkanga (First indigenous Governor); Col. Yakubu Bako; Navy Captain Joseph Adewusi; Group Captain John Ebiye (all military administrators).

 

Besides, Obong Akpan Isemin was elected as the first democratic Governor of Akwa Ibom state between 1992 and 1993. His regime was however, short-lived due to a military intervention on 18th November, 1993.

 

Arch Obong Victor Attah came on board in 1999 to 2007. He came as a dreamer with passionate plans to create a platform for development. He championed the war-like struggle for Resource Control and patterned the course for the building of the Akwa Ibom of my dreams.

 

In 2007, Godswill Obot Akpabio (Former Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and now Minister of Niger Delta) was elected and sworn into office as the Governor of Akwa Ibom state. His developmental strides and equitable distribution of amenities sealed the jigsaw puzzle of micro-ethnicity in the state. He was indeed a developer whose eight years legacy will remain indelible.

 

Dreaming of the future while acknowledging the difficulties of the present was quit challenging. However, my dream of a leader who has an eye for possibilities and potentials lingered. I kept dreaming for a leader not a ruler. A person who has developed his ability to creatively imagine places, domains, channels of contribution, spheres of influence, platforms of operation, and solutions to issues plaguing humanity.

 

As saddening as it was seeing thousand of students graduating without gainful employment, I kept dreaming of an Akwa Ibom state of job opportunities, peace, serenity and unity. An Akwa Ibom state of men and women who as a matter of our greatest need, come together to build bridges of union and not walls of division. I have been hoping for a state that promotes the tenets of participatory democracy and offer the beneficial results thereof.

 

Born to a peasant Obolo fisherman in the midst of dwindling wealth and raised in poverty, my aspirations of a prosperous state with justiciable apportionment of wealth resonated my mind. I have been dreaming of Akwa Ibom, becoming a great state in the emerging nation of Nigeria.

 

Being persuaded and convinced that when this state was created, the bedrock of a potentially great state was laid in the hands of the Almighty God evident in the state's name, AKWA ABASI IBOM STATE and that the founding fathers of this state bequeathed to our generation, the call to rise above our differences and forge a more perfect and glorious union, my dreams lived on.

 

I have been dreaming of a state of order and safety reconstructed on the premise of integration. A state where every citizen enjoys liberty and equality before the law. Where the lady of Justice will not yield to the temptations to take off her blindfold to see who is at the dock before passing judgment. Where the same law applies to the pick-pocket thief caught stealing phone in Abak and the pension thief caught stealing millions of Naira in Uyo.

 

I have been dreaming of a state where youth will be afforded the opportunity to develop and deploy their potentials in all sectors thereby contributing to the development of the state. Where entrepreneurs are motivated, while excellence and hardwork are rewarded. A state that encourages the 'big picture', breaking the chains of stagnation, inferiority and "smallness complex" (etok syndrome) which is a form of mental angst and emotional turmoil.

 

Notwithstanding days, when I returned from school only to hawk for my mother so as to add more money for her to get few text books and pay my school fees, a state depicted by free and compulsory education at all levels was on my mind. A state where industrial and human capital development will be prioritized and promoted. A state with world class research universities and polytechnics.

 

I remember going to bed as a 10 years old village child without hopes of where to find the next meal, but dreaming of an effective and efficient aviation sector, where there will be no flight delays or air disasters. I dreamed of motorable roads with resultant decline in traffic congestion and road accidents. It seemed illusive.

 

I have been dreaming of a leader with guts and grits. One who, the distance between Uyo and Eastern Obolo encourages, who the difficulty if a job only motivates, who the demands of competition inspires, one who criticism challenges, danger incites, threats quickens and adventure arouses. A leader who has audacity and capacity to dare and strive to reach the unreachable and awaits the celebration and appreciation of posterity. One who is concern about the next generation and not just the next election.

 

I earnestly prayed for a leader who will build the Akwa Ibom state of my dreams and not just a developer of the past. A futuristic and audacious architect and engineer of hope. A passionate leader, leading from the front not rear. A compassionate promise keeper; a new breed; an activator of another order; a result-oriented and practical builder; a custodian and conductor of power; a guide of development; a director of industrialization; a chieftain; a Christian; a commander of good things; a captain; a consensus builder; a Moses who will bring water out of the rock to quench the thirst of Akwa Ibomites.

 

On May 29th 2015, my dreams breathed in hope as His Excellency; Deacon Udom Gabriel Emmanuel was sworn into office as the chief servant of Akwa Ibom state. He came right on time with a mandate to build. He came as an answer to my questions.

 

The Awa Iman, Onna born technocrat came into office not a lord over the people, but as a public servant. Welcoming him as the Fourth civilian Governor and the tenth administrator of the state was full of great expectations and ecstatic feeling that a thoroughbred executive with an enviable wealth of experience in corporate governance was coming into power.

 

Udom Emmanuel, former Sunday School Teacher, former Executive Director of Zenith Bank PLC (with over 17 years financial services experience) and successful strategist, is an outstanding builder who has, since assumption of office anchored his administration on core moral and Christian values. For Udom, humility is a defining value and cannot be compromised. He has a down- to earth disposition, with readiness to listen to others, willingness to accord honour to whom honour is due and a desire to forge cooperation even with those who disagree with him. Some have mistaken his meekness for weakness.

 

Udom, the chattered accountant, is not a noise maker but a focused and gentle builder. He was described by the Solicitor General of the federation, Dayo Apata SAN, as "a perfect gentleman Governor" when he (Apata) expressed his rhetorics 'who would not want to come back to Akwa Ibom?' Udom Emmanuel, former secretary to the Akwa Ibom state Government is a visionary builder with oneness of purpose.

 

Akwa Ibom called and Udom obeyed. He came on the scene with a revolutionary mindset, galvanizing the people through a paradigm shift campaign tagged "DAKKADA" which he launch in September 2015, shortly after his inauguration into office. Building the Akwa Ibom state of my dreams had to start with elevating the self-esteem and dignity of the Akwa Ibomites. Udom, the man after God and people's heart has initiated a new philosophy and creed of freedom and resourcefulness, bringing about liberty from mental shackles and emotional turmoil. He has been preaching, not just a message of hope but also a message of rejuvenation, reawakening and renaissance and calling Akwa Ibomites to rise to the fate of greatness, self-reliance, independence and enterprise.

 

Udom Emmanuel, a second term sitting Governor of Akwa Ibom state and the perfect builder of my dreams, on arrival at the government house, introduced his five-point agenda which is Wealth Creation, Economic and Political Inclusion, Poverty Alleviation, Infrastructural Consolidation and Expansion and Job Creation. Building on this agenda will mean building the Akwa Ibom of my dreams.

 

The Akwa Ibom state of my dreams is a point where many industrial routes meet and wealth is distributed and dispensed. This is becoming distinctly perceived and apparent as Mr Industrialization (Udom Emmanuel) has kept to his words by establishing one industry after another to better the lives of the people of Akwa Ibom State. He has also not relented in creating the enabling environment for foreign investors to move into the state. Industrialization for poverty Alleviation is his watchword.

His administration has so far constructed/ attracted over 18 industries for the provision of food, basic amenities and job opportunities. Such industries include:

 

The Toothpick and Pencil Factory, the first of its kind in this part of the world; The multi million Naira Jubilee Syringe Manufacturing company ascribed as the biggest in Africa, capable of producing over 350 million units of disposable syringes annually; The Meter Manufacturing Factory for the production of Prepaid Electricity Meters which was inaugurated by Vice president, Yemi Osinbanjo in 2018; The Coconut Oil Factory in Mkpat Enin; The Ibom Plywood Manufacturing company; The resuscitations of Steel Factory and Peacock Paint Industry in Eket and Etinan Local Government Areas respectively. These and other initiatives of the Udom led administration has not just stopped the importation of certain things but has also led to the exportation of those manufactured products.

 

Among industries that are under consideration are fruit and vegetable juice production; cassava and potato production; edible oil production; salt refinery; animal feed production, sanitary wares; water treatment plant and ice making. Others are bottling line for water, juice and oil, as well as establishment of an Akwa Ibom integrated cassava programme to be known as Dakkada Cassava Task Force.

 

Needless to comment on the over 1700 kilometers critical roads constructed by the Udom administration within five years (including the 10 lane Ring Road 3 in Uyo, The Uyo/Etinan Road, The Eket/Ibeno Road among many others) because the Governor himself said: "the world has moved away from such things as road constructions: these things are given in any society that is led by a progressive leader, so why should I announce with funfare the construction of roads in my state." The roads in the state are up to world class standard and surely resulting to decline in traffic congestion and road accidents. This is the Akwa Ibom of my dreams under vigorous construction.

 

The education- friendly government of Udom Emmanuel has defied the status quo by promoting quality education for the Akwa Ibom child. He has lined up activities and programmes to meet the task. Such as reconstruction, remodeling rehabilitation and renovations of schools; the constructions of roads in tertiary institutions; provision and upgrade of educational facilities; organizing the Education Summit; Payment of the bills for West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) gulping over 600 million Naira annually, and above all, The free and compulsory education for primary and secondary schools throughout the state. This shows that Udom Emmanuel has the executive capability to build the Akwa Ibom of our dreams.

 

The Akwa Ibom of my dreams is a regional hub of aviation and Udom Emmanuel is performing the magic. Upgrading infrastructure at the Victor Attah International Airport and the unprecedented launching and operation of Ibom Air among other investments are clear proofs that my dream is a work in progress.

 

Udom Emmanuel, recipient of the 2016 Leadership Award for Best Governor of the year, is also working tirelessly in the health sector because he understands that a threat to health is a threat to humanity. The state now boosts of modernized and up to date medical facilities resultantly improving both the primary, secondary and specialized health care services in the state. Meanwhile, the era of importation of some medical equipment has ended, as things like syringes are now produced here in the state. This is really becoming the state of my dreams.

 

Receiving the 2017 Nigeria Sport Governor of the year, was an award for making Akwa Ibom state the center for major football competitions in Nigeria and the construction of the almost-completed Modern Sports Stadium at Eket among many other sports initiatives.

 

Security is a major element of the social contract. This critical element is receiving adequate attention of the Udom led administration. The state is now rated one of the safest states in Nigeria. We see tourists trooping into the state to enjoy the peace, serenity, beauty and hospitality that the state offers. My dream is gradually coming to pass.

 

Food is the first basic need of man before any other. The strategic initiative of economic diversification and food security is scored as big win for the Udom administration, as the goal of achieving self-sufficiency in food production for local consumption and export is within sight. The 54 years old technocrat (Udom Emmanuel) has induced the establishment of the over 60,000 tonnes King's Flour Mill in Onna, Fertilizer Blending Plants, Rice Mills, Cassava Processing Plants, Provision of Seedlings to farmers. He has also set up the Akwa Prime Hatchery that produces 10, 000 birds weekly; constructed the Vegetable Greenhouse and Cassava Micro-processing Mills across the state. Additionally, the state government has planted over 500 Citrus Seedlings, 600 Hybrid Plantain suckers and 1,000 Pineapple Suckers, among many others as it is working to ensure job opportunities and food for all. These are pointers to the largeness of heart and longness of sight that the governor possesses.

 

Since the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic in the country, I have tagged Udom Emmanuel 'the Incident Commander', because he has led from the front. As part of efforts to address the covid 19 pandemic, the pragmatic Governor commissioned a 300-bed Infectious Disease Treatment Center in Uruan Local Government Area. He has been exemplary in his briefings, through which residents are given updates on developments in the state concerning the disease and he is ramping up of resources to combat it. The humane Governor also approved holiday for tax-payers in the state to cushion the effect of the Pandemic on his people. This is the Akwa Ibom of my dreams.

 

It is usually said that a good leader is proactive and not reactive. Udom Emmanuel, like Joseph in the land of Egypt has also opened the Food bank of the state, sending materials to extenuate and mitigate the suffering of the masses. This is a mark of his proactiveness. Worthy of mention is the on going School on Radio Program organized by the state government and the inauguration of the Post COVID 19 Economic Reconstruction Committee which are symbols of vision, preparedness and foresight of the governor.

Where the passion is right, great things can and will surely happen.

 

Udom Emmanuel is a man of great passion. He said in a broadcast to mark the 29th anniversary of the states creation, that his dream was to make Akwa Ibom state Nigerias largest economy, just as California is the United States of Americas biggest economy. In his words:

If the State of California which is a part of the Continental USA is the sixth largest economy in the world and as the saying goes where California goes is where America goes we too, can make Akwa Ibom State, a large economy in Africa, with a GDP larger than some African countries. That is my dream and that is what propels me."

This is not Udom Emmanuel's score card which Akwa Ibomites are all abreast of but the evidence of things I have been hoping for. He is indeed a manager of men and resources. He is building a great state with great economy.

 

Conclusively, I want to thank our ONLY GOD for sustaining His son, Udom Emmanuel from his 1st birthday to his recently celebrated 54th birthday anniversary on July 11, 2020. I wish His Excellency, many more useful, healthy, and glorious years. I also encourage all Akwa Ibomites to rise to the fate of greatness because we are living in an era of good governance.

 

Indeed, Udom Emmanuel is building the Akwa Ibom of my dreams.

 

Written by:

DAVID REUBEN

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