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Nairaland Forum / Nairaland / General / Politics / Akwa Ibom At 27: Recounting The Best Seven Of Its Years (769 Views)
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Akwa Ibom At 27: Recounting The Best Seven Of Its Years by Xtranoble: 6:27am On Sep 23, 2014 |
Today, Tuesday- September 23, Akwa Ibom State is 27 and the atmosphere in the state is distinctly celebratory. With guests and proud indigenes flying in from far and near to join the resident indigenes and aliens, a bout of activities, mostly centering on commissioning of one project or the other (outstandingly, the newly constructed Olympic-size stadium) by the chief host, Governor Godswill Akpabio, the people of the state will above all reasons be understood if lost in a frivolous kind of excitement. As I presume you to have known before now, the writer, having originated from the popular and prestigious Minya Clan in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area, has never stopped being a proud Akwa Ibom-ite, despite spending most of his growing days outside the state. And currently speaking, he is also a strong admirer and exponent of the man at the helm of affairs in the state, Chief Godswill Akpabio; predominantly for his proactive devotion towards the apposition of the awesome instrument of government to promote the principles of the common good and the advancement of the human condition. That, in my opinion is the main reason for the establishment of government in the first place, and this is usually best garnished when the state in question is blessed with leaders who understand the critical mechanics of governance. As one who is ideologically disposed to ‘big government’ (the use of government wherewithal to create a permitting environment for people to dream, dare and aspire) the governor had long won my admiration for showing that government indeed can vigorously aim for good- one, whose ennobling ideals can lift a people from the valley of despondency to the mountain of accomplishment. I have said in many instances that I have no apologies for being a non- apathetic supporter of Governor Akpabio, and contrasting what some people may think, my support is not based on pecuniary considerations and miles away from the sychophantic angle, (at least, many people can attest to that as a fact) but based solely on the revolution he has stimulated in the state both on physical and psychosomatic platforms. For those who may revel and slacken in the sofas of revisionist history, may I take you down the platform upon which the ordinary Akwa Ibom person was seen and defined before the coming of Governor Akpabio. Before now, the people of Akwa Ibom state were consigned to the periphery of the Nigerian venture, they were not even considered nominal members of the Nigerian boardroom, ours was to prepare sumptuous meals, set the table up nicely and come back later to clean up the mess after decisions that may have adverse effect on our lives may have been taken by those who were ‘divinely’ ordained with the task of thinking and planning for us. All awhile, the people of my state had internalized the notion and belief that the best they could offer the Nigerian state was to operate as the masters and mistresses of the kitchen, to nurture the babies of the privileged class and wait for some crumbs to be sent our way with reluctance, which we all lapped up with savor, sparkle and haste. Every privileged home wanted a male or female servant to come from that part of the world, and, we the equally aspirational Nigerians did not like one inch. Our people before now lacked a galvanizing thrust; they lacked a voice that would awaken in them the latent gifts of dash, the sense of distinctiveness and flamboyance, as well as the belief that we too, were created by the Almighty to pursue cheerfulness and its analogous sense of dignity. Hence, they were left with no choice than accepting those psychologically permutated designations as conventional wisdom and accordingly projected a demeanor of docility and modesty adjoining self defeat. Like the biblical account, where Comrade Moses had to materialize and lift the people of Israel from the physiological dumpster and depth of cheerlessness that they had communally been relegated, stimulating in them a new sense of proliferated dignity and prospects about the interminable possibilities; Governor Godswill Obot Akpabio has in his seven and half years of leading and overseeing the affairs of the state, altered the cadaverous, disheartened and solemn demeanor and emotional profile and temperament of the Akwa Ibom person. He has rallied the people through the force of his oratory, though mostly taking the comic route, even his deeds and common touch has imbued in us a spirit that can never be defeated, a spirit of pride in oneself, a sense of identity that is divergent, ramrod in its corollaries and in the process, helped create a strong place and voice in the boardroom of the Nigerian endeavor. No longer are we seen as the managers of the home front of the privileged class, no longer are our voices drummed out by the loud proclamations of those who had wrongly dismissed us as economically and politically insignificant. The Akwa Ibom man or woman of today- from the sandy shores of Ibeno to the sand dunes of Benin Kebbi is proud of his state, its leaders and the endless possibilities that lay ahead for him or her. This was never an overnight achievement, like most entities that were once thought to be dead; the state needed a galvanizing voice- a personality, urbane, intellectually curious yet humble and imbued by a profound love for his people. With the help of past leaders who had contributed their own quota to this second-phased journey to the land of fulfillment based on their vision by laying the requisite foundation for future development, as seen today, Akpabio, in all honesty, has offered an equitable definition to the efforts of past leaders by covering a significant distance in the said journey. Truth remains, amidst the much fuss, especially as he approaches the end of his reign, the state needed only a Godswill to have been where it is today; and irrespective of how many enemies he has won for himself in the past seven years, no logical discuss can conceal the fact that he has satisfactorily done his part, and lest he hasn’t, only God has the power to judge. But asides that, the rolling drums, the well oiled flutes and the dancing steps that will be seen today in harmony with the songs of celebration of the state’s birthday, already affirms the general consensus among the majority of the dispassionate Akwa Iboimites that Governor Godswill Akpabio came in at the right time in the state’s trajectory of development and proceeding, a template of governance and that of the delivery of democratic dividends have been established whether you agree to it or not. Since May 29, 2007 when destiny brought him to the Hilltop Mansion of Uyo, the now beautified capital of Akwa Ibom State, he has, using his words been propelled by the force of ‘anger’ and hunger for development. Truly, we understood him to have been, and perhaps still is angry because the dilapidated state of infrastructures he came to meet had cried for total overhaul and he has attacked that aspect with messianic fervor, leading to the transformation of Uyo and other parts of the state into a construction hub. He looked at the educational sector and found that enrollment had been affected due to financial difficulties some parents had experienced; and rather than being in school to develop their intellectual capacities with a view to becoming productive citizens were out hawking various goods on the street. The sight of these kids melted his heart and caused him to declare a free and compulsory education from primary to post-primary level to all children of school age in the state. For this reason(s) his achievements are being lauded and celebrated in the state all over and even beyond; the awards have come in torrents from far and wide- national and international, with the latest having taken place at Dorchester Hotel in faraway UK. The people, happy and amazed with what they have seen now are assured of a state now well equipped with better societies to live in, as well as endless possibilities of the future and that of their children who will sure have one area or more to benefit from in the nearest and farthest future. By the time Governor Akpabio would have finished his superlative stewardship of Akwa Ibom state in May, 2015; he would have laid a solid structure upon which his successor would now chose to either create jobs, knowing full well that infrastructural amenities – modern and world-class have been established. Governor Godswill Akpabio is one of the inspirational leaders of our contemporary Nigeria and Akwa Ibom people are blessed to have him at this time of our development. As I lift my glass in the solitude of my home, even with the ill health that has deprived me of the concluding festivities marking the 27th anniversary of the state, I felt a dash of pride in my state and in our people, and all I could say as I drank in toast of the state, is "though we already have a few of them, even as time and space do not permit my mention of them; may the world never run short of men of Godswill Akpabio’s ilk". Happy Birthday my dear state of origin, Akwa Abasi Ibom, and may God’s will continue to be done on you, even as the heat of 2015 threatens to break you- Amen! CULLED FROM THE "SINE QUA NON" COLUMN OF COMMUNITY PULSE NEWSPAPER (TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23rd EDITION). UBONG SAMPSON IS A PUBLIC/POLITICAL/CURRENT AFFAIRS ANALYST. |
Re: Akwa Ibom At 27: Recounting The Best Seven Of Its Years by Nobody: 6:30am On Sep 23, 2014 |
Would hv been nice if this thread had sum pix of d uncommon transformation! To ooooh n aaaaah us. Akpabio has tried. |
Re: Akwa Ibom At 27: Recounting The Best Seven Of Its Years by psucc(m): 7:05am On Sep 23, 2014 |
Well one may not outrightly deny Akpabio that honour as having put down something for the State. But just as our previous leaders, he emerges as the most conning. Let's play partisan with some level of honesty. His projects are basically Federal Government Projects where those monies are paid back to the state. 2. We are more hungry than any other despite our affluence. 3. The development strides are ethnic based. They aren't spread. Come to INI Local Govt. you will have every cause to weep for the people. Even a single road had not been built nor the existing one which had turn to a dead trap had been done despite Akpabio's continuous promises and assurance, we have absolutely NOTHING, I MEAN NOTHING to show for his 8years as the Gov of Akwa Ibom State. But I wouldn't stop whoever from singing his praise once you have your mouth full after all INUA ATA OTONG ISITANGA IDIOK. |
Re: Akwa Ibom At 27: Recounting The Best Seven Of Its Years by searay(m): 7:20am On Sep 23, 2014 |
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Re: Akwa Ibom At 27: Recounting The Best Seven Of Its Years by Mention(m): 7:23am On Sep 23, 2014 |
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