Nigerians, in the last three years, have suffered major blows of dwindling oil prices coupled with the effects of the decisions of the APC-led Federal Government. With these effects, mostly negative, 90 percent of Nigerians today groan in pains, lamenting how life has not been the same since the opposition snatched power in 2015. As a way of pacifying angry Nigerians whose hearts had already been broken by the negative impacts of the cluelessness of the current administration, bailout funds were introduced by the FG. Nigerians who saw this move as a way impoverishing them and pushing their state governments into an eternal bondage were right. Unfortunately, some state governments fell for it.
Luckily, Akwa Ibom was not that gullible. We passed over that sumptuous meal which was garnished with spikes because we had a man of high financial intelligence on board. We succeeded because our case was different! We made the right decision because we had a Governor whose credibility and integrity had been tested and trusted – an astute manager, a caring father and exceptional leader whose love for the common Akwa Ibom man was and still is unparalleled. This man gave up his comfort and luxury to help Akwa Ibom rise to its faith of greatness. This man is His Excellency, Governor Udom Gabriel Emmanuel.
For many, occupying a sensitive position as governor of a state is an opportunity to fan the flames of ethnic and tribal sentiments, dabble into politics not concerned with issues, plunder state resources and grab all they can while it lasts. Governor Udom Emmanuel is different! He accepted to run in the 2015 Guber race because he saw an opportunity to serve and save Akwa Ibom State. This is why the odds favoured him. Udom Emmanuel was called by God to SERVE Akwa Ibom with his heart and might, especially in a time like this! He was qualified by God to SAVE our economy from ravaging predators who pretended to love us, using handouts as smokescreens, while they voraciously plunder our resources! Out of over five million Akwaibomites, Udom Emmanuel was chosen by God to save Akwa Ibom from ‘divisive tendencies that have for centuries defined us’.
In his speech tagged “COME, LET’S BUILD TOGETHER” at the 2015 Akwa Ibom State Association of Nigeria, AKISAN Convention in Philadelphia, USA, Governor Udom Emmanuel noted that “For so long, we have allowed the negative impulses of parochialism, of ethnic bigotry, to draw lines of divisions where a clear line of togetherness should have been written in bold letters. For so long, we have allowed mutual distrust shape our thoughts and the layers of relationship among our brothers and sisters. The time has come for us all to collapse and check our little fears and distrusts for one another and unfurl an umbrella of love, of unity and of good neighborliness.”
This truly was the case in Akwa Ibom! The pull-him-down syndrome had eaten deep into the fabrics of our society, ravaging our collective destinies and plunging us into the eternal abyss of economic independence, under-development and wanton destruction of lives and properties. Today, with the Dakkada mindset, the narrative has changed! We are towing the path of greatness in efficient management of resources. We are using our innate abilities positively for service to God and growth of humanity. Governor Udom Emmanuel, described by many as sympathetic, empathetic, steady, kind, assertive, integrous, proficient, efficient, competent, experienced, intelligent, mature, humble, attentive, generous, God-fearing, educated, honest, trustworthy, loyal, not greedy, and modernized, is a truly blessing to Akwa Ibom.
It is pertinent to note that Governor Udom Emmanuel’s Five Point Agenda of Wealth Creation, Economic and Political Inclusion, Poverty Alleviation, Infrastructural Consolidation/Expansion, and Job Creation is already playing out in his first term in office. Akwaibomites are optimistic that the gains of this agenda in his second term will be quite enormous, hence, their total and unalloyed support for the Governor. With the introduction of Akwa Ibom Enterprise and Employment (AKEES), training of Akwa Ibom youths in Agriculture, Information and Communication Technology, Power and other vocational disciplines, Akwa Ibom youths have been meaningfully and sustainably engaged; wealth and jobs have been created making our youths earn a decent living instead of begging for a living as it used to be a few years ago. Vast opportunities are opening up for businesses in Akwa Ibom as credibility and integrity is now the order of the day. Just to mention, as part of his Poverty Alleviation agenda, pensions and salaries are paid on time!
Having laid the foundation for the industrial development of our State through the provision of enabling business environment, investors are trouping into the state because of Udom Emmanuel’s Infrastructural Consolidation/Expansion agenda which is evidenced in his administration’s commitment to building a vibrant economic model in Akwa Ibom State through massive Industrialization, Mechanized Agricultural Expansion, Energy Development, Oil and Gas Exploration, Human Capacity Development, Entertainment, Service Industries, Innovative Healthcare Delivery Systems and various Foreign Direct Investment initiatives.
Against the wishes and forecast of a few disgruntled elements, Akwa Abasi Ibom State has become a prosperous state where opportunities abound. Under the Udom Emmanuel-led administration, Akwa Ibom people are full of aspirations! Today, the ‘can-do’ spirit brims in our veins and blood, and we hold our hands aloft, strong and ready to help each other! For a few that are yet to wake up to the reality that God gives power, calls and qualifies, it is pertinent to note that Udom Emmanuel is building a sustainable environment where no philosophical differences in politics, slander or blackmail can thrive. Udom is building an economy where businesses can outlive generations; he is building a state where unity and peaceful coexistence is the watchword and a state where commending our brothers or sisters for a good job done is no longer seen as a sign of weakness.
Akwaibomites collectively made the choice of the PDP and Udom Emmanuel on April 11, 2015. We will collective make the same decision again in 2019 because Udom Emmanuel is the Governor Akwa Ibom can trust wholeheartedly.
Aniekan James Ekah – a social media and OnlinePR expert writes from Uyo.