By Samuel AYARA
The times unarguably are bad and grinding towards desperation, but worrying when there is work to do aggravates the unfortunate turn of events that has seen a theatre of war erupt from a once peaceful clime, where people learned respect and orderliness, so much that they respected every honest Cent earned, since criminality had no place. Working to turn a new page in situations like this requires one whose fingers are spotless of stains from the pot that cooked this pitiable broth of backwardness.
The recent slide to near anarchy in some parts of Ukanafun Local Government Area has been on the lead in several discourses, with countless people agreeing to the need for a solution patterned away from sustaining the old and mundane order, to the chagrin of contemplating new fronts where solutions could be miles closer. As zealous as the people may seem in striving at the possibility of a progressive society, their choice of a leader would play a more vital role than their anxieties.
Harvey Mackay’s insight at turning around a bad situation posit that “exploring how one could make a bad situation worse can also tell you what not to do.” In this regard, it is up to the people of Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency to attempt a cursory look at how deplorable their already sad situation of under representation in National Assembly is, and position for a shift in paradigm. This they can achieve in several ways in the long run, but their shortest route to destination greatness is the convergence of their choices in Ndiana-Abasi Idongesit Udom (Nana)
The thick cloud of underdevelopment that has enveloped these areas are unmistakable, though a greater chunk of this malady find its roots with indigenes who in times past paid less attention to the socioeconomic fortunes of the area; to the extent that migration had become a normalcy. This situation, like is obtained in elementary economics has been the pulling force that has acted against their development. In turning a new page, real time solutions would be required; they may include efforts geared towards growing the economic status of the area.
Upping the ante of prosperity in this federal constituency, would without an air of pretence find expression in settling for those who have shown conviction to stay and strive with the people. In this regard, nothing stands taller than the sacrifice of boycotting high-density cities, to establish a nationally acclaimed tertiary institution (Sure Foundation Polytechnic, Ikot Akai) that has heightened the area in acclaim and socioeconomic reckoning at a time others; including those who held the peoples mandate have shown gross reluctance towards investing in the area.
Attempting a solution to the bad political situation in the federal constituency, where major political actors only walk in to grab what they often term their share of the national cake, places a burden that compels the necessity of looking through the books to ensure, leadership that serves the course of the people is encouraged to thrive. In which regard, the younger Udom deserves the right of first refusal, since his background, which stands to lose more, has shown sufficient commitment to salvaging the ruins of the unabated curve of underdevelopment.
Expectedly, no one should cry more than the bereaved, it is heartwarming to realize that indigenes of this federal constituency have emboldened their resolve to lead themselves out of the contraption of mundane politics of selfishness and vendetta. The roar for liberation around the 24 political wards that makeup the area has erupted like a volcano and the impact in these past months has been visible, with an onward movement and cult-like followership that has presented Ndianabasi Udom as an idea whose time has come.
Glaringly, even the vilest of persecutions cannot dampen their desire at seeing to the birth of a new dawn, with the overhaul of structures that have placed the area on the disadvantaged bent. This resolution finds expression in the quantum leap in goodwill the MFONABASI Campaign Organization has attracted and the massive support that has shaken the foundations of political engagements in the area. It is the no gainsaying that Nana is not only the most popular of the pack, but the recent donation of an eighteen seater bus by the immediate past occupant of the office he seeks to occupy, Mr. Sabath Obot, points clearly to the trust and confidence his people repose in him.
Surprisingly what came to many as an online media popularity strategy has blown through the nooks and crannies of the federal constituency like a wild tornado, leaving those who laid claims to holding exclusive reserve of the area’s political fortune jaw-dropped at how soon the people have come to square-up, giving them a run for their money. As unlikely as it presents; Ndianabasi Udom has found in the people a resilience to hand him their mandate to the green chambers of the national assembly, the most reliable patronage of Godfathers, who would not renege on their push to provide the best for the future they crave.
It is unarguable that kindness as a virtue should be expressed without thought of recompense. Not many knew that Nana’s countless acts of kindness in his private capacity to those he barely knew, could bear such reward of confidence, until the people sought to turn the page of their political endeavours to a people-oriented leadership that would show empathy with their plight. Dotting the clime with tales from an innumerable lot, of how he stoop to assist at any given opportunity, readily gives away this scion of the Udom’s dynasty of Idung Nneke as one who has committed to serving humanity and making lives better. This has nonetheless stretched and challenged others who are also in the race to the green chambers into emergency altruism.
In the last ten years of his active employment life, several, across all strata of human existence have benefitted from his large-hearted philanthropic gestures, which abhor age, class, tribe and other mundane leanings. It is a truism that while the elders live in gratitude of how magnanimous a man who is yet to have it all can be, the youths are constantly motivated to emulate this sterling example in communal living, even as the children have found in him a determined shoulder to champion for them a sustainable future. Testimonies of his unassuming disposition to making positive impacts on every life he contact abound, and his massive acceptability for the Ukanafun/Oruk Anam National Assembly seat may not be unconnected with his hands-on disposition.
For the people, allowing all their eggs in this single basket of goodwill is far too good an investment to be considered a risk; it is sane to aver that a sandwich of Nana’s result-oriented disposition to life and his youthful zest at getting things done would give him the required edge on the national stage. Counting on his vast exposure, his passion for a better Nigeria and the need to grow with his constituents, presents the belief that his aspiration will better serve the course of humanity, as our state navigates towards international acclaim in job creation, empowerment and wealth creation.
An Alumni of the prestigious Harvard Business School, where he studied strategic business management, Ndianabasi Udom is a graduate of Benson Idahosa University. A dynamic banker of over a decade, with vast experience in public sector financing, commercial, and investment banking, as well as public budget analysis and corporate finance. He retains the associate membership of the Chartered Institute of Financial and Investment Analyst of Nigeria, Institute of Chartered Economist of Nigeria (ICEN) and currently seats as a member of the Global Business Roundtable.
Having for long braved the era of mediocre leadership, the people can have a feel of fresh breath as the Mfonabasi ship berths on the shorelines of Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency, to turn a new page that will signal new engagements and shared prosperity, to herald an era where dependence on others for economic growth would be needless.
Ndianabasi Idongesit Udom holds the key to that future; walk with him.
