By Martins INYANGETOH
In the words of Abraham Lincoln, “True and great Leaders know the way, show the way and lead the way.”
The above postulation represents the true situation of leadership successes in Akwa Ibom from the advent of democracy in 1999.
The three respectable leaders, Obong Victor Attah, Chief Godswill Akpabio and Deacon Udom Emmanuel, that the state has been blessed with have shown in their respective actions and expressions that they are/were true leaders who knew/know the way, showed/show the way and led/lead the way to greatness. That is why every Akwa Ibom person is keying into the Dakkada philosophy.
However, just as the book of Ecclesiastes says that “there is time for everything”, verily the leaders that Akwa Ibom has been blessed with have been leaders that were meant for a time as right as theirs vis-a-vis the time that the state needed them most, hence the rapid growth and progress in the State.
While other states are emerged in leadership tussle, the case in Akwa Ibom is different. Just as Attah fought tooth and nail for 13% derivation thereby abolishing the onshore/offshore dichotomy, laying foundation stones for International Airport, Ibom Le Meridien Hotel, opening up internal roads across the 31 L.G.As, Akpabio came in and expanded the horizon of oil blocs to the extent of gaining more oil wells from Cross River and Rivers State. He also saw to the completion of Ibom International Airport, Ibom Le Meridien Hotel, embarked on infrastructural renaissance, initiated the free and compulsory education and position the state on the global map. Today, Governor Udom Emmanuel is consolidating on these foundations. He is embarking on industrialization, creating an atmosphere where Syringe, Metering, Toothpick, Pencil, Fertilizer Blending Factories and many others are operational. Indeed, it’s been that government of continuum.
