UDOM SHOULD MAKE SURE THE DAKKADA PHILOSOPHY WORKS IN AKWA IBOM – DIG EKPOUDOM

The Etim Ekpo born retired Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Udom Ekpoudom, is the Chairman of Tower of Ivory School, Ediene Abak. Here is his view regarding the Governor’s one year anniversary. Excerpts:
Expectations
In the first place, I have to thank God for bringing Governor Udom Emmanuel to us. He is a blessing to Akwa Ibom State. If you look at him and also look at what he has done so far, you will know that we are soon to go through a lot of changes in the state. What I like most about him is the idea of diverting from the public sector to the private sector. No economy can really succeed under the public sector alone. He is an experience economist and knows that this state cannot grow beyond this stage if he does not encourage private sector participation. Some people may not like him and what he is doing because to them he is not a politician; as if those who are, learned it from somewhere. For me, he should just continue with his plan and make sure the Dakkada philosophy in the state works: that our people wake up and change their mentality and face the fact.
Looking at the various ground breakings that he has performed, what is your assessment?
All the ground breakings that he is doing he is not doing them only for government to move. He is doing them in partnership with the private sector and because of this, he is going to succeed. You know business that is fully run by government does not work. So, the various ground breakings the Governor is doing is trying to encourage the private sector to survive and my assessment is that he is going to succeed.
Do you think the dwindling revenue at the centre will affect the vision and programmes of the Governor for Akwa Ibom State?
Yes. The fact that our income is not what it used to be is enough reason that it might affect what the Governor would like to do. But I have every conviction in Mr. Udom Emmanuel that being a banker; he knows how to manage the small resources that we are getting now from the center. That means the era of sharing money is over. Because we have a good manager of resources in our Governor, I believe the price of crude oil that affects our federal income will not affect the economy of our state that much because he is going to utilize what he has now to develop the state.
What is your take on the congress of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP)?
The Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) has decided to handover the party to the people and the Governor has continually said that. But I want to advise the Governor that while handing over the party and its structure to the people, he should know those he is handing over to. For me, it is a right for him to spend eight years since those that preceded him did same and in order to do this, the party structure is very important. So, while praising him for allowing internal democracy to work, he should be interested in the party structure in the state.
Advice to the political class
It is very simple. You know I have worked in virtually all parts of this country and I do not know of any state that regards politics the way we regard it in Akwa Ibom State. Like in the Western part, it is service to the people. But here, you will see somebody trying to occupy a political office is unemployed and has no pedigree. He wants to be Local Government Chairman or a House of Assembly man, all for himself. The politics in Akwa Ibom State is politics of self enrichment and development. In other states it is not like that. Before you aspire to such positions, the people will look at your antecedence, educational qualification and contribution to your community. So, I want to advise our brothers, the politicians in Akwa Ibom State that we should start thinking like those in other states; that it should not be only politics of self development. Politics is all about service to the people.
One year anniversary of Governor Udom Emmanuel
I am not a sycophant and I do not talk so that the Governor will give me anything. I am from Akwa Ibom and I love my state and I want him to know he is doing very well and I am urging him not to be misadvised to do what he will not like to do. Let him continue to support the private sector. In terms of security, you only need to compare Akwa Ibom with other state our Governor is doing well.
As an investor, we have so many Akwa Ibom sons and daughters in the Diaspora and those who have been privileged to serve the country as you have done, what is your advice to them?
It is true we have sons and daughters outside the country who would love to come back and invest in the state. Let me be a little selfish; in the Nigerian Police Force I am not the first Deputy Inspector General (DIG). We have had an Inspector General of Police in this state; we have had a DIG in the state also but none of them is back after their retirement and I do not blame because if you are not ready to stomach insults, you should not come to Akwa Ibom. I know the insults I have received since I came back. I want to advice my brothers and sisters not to think on this line. They should come back and help develop our state. So, for the Governor, I say congratulations for the one year anniversary. He should remain focused. And I have been asking myself why this man is so lucky against all odds and I discovered that it’s the prayers of the people and the blessing of God upon his life.