Good WikiLeaks: US govt sets Akpabio as model
From MURPHY GANAGANA, Abuja
Wednesday, December 15, 2010



Photo: Sun News publishing
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The United States of America has identified Akwa Ibom as a state to be studied closely, as a way of helping Nigeria rise from its current five per cent growth rate to about 20 per cent per annum in order to meet the vision 2020: 20 target.
In a secret document leaked by a controversial non-profit media site, WikiLeaks, the US singled out Governor Godswill Akpabio for mention as a Nigerian leader that needs to be analysed for impact, owing to what they called his “impressive” performance in the South South state.

WikiLeaks has recently exposed United States secrets on policies, meetings, etc, attracting widespread reactions across the globe.

According to the document displayed on internet (guardian.co.uk), and entitled “US Embassy cables: US monitors China and its expanding role in Africa”, Akpabio was commended for infrastructure revolution and efforts in industrial development. While the opposition elements are busy at home claiming that there was nothing in the state to celebrate, Johnnie Carson, US assistant secretary for African Affairs, at a meeting with members of the international oil community in Lagos on February 7, upheld the opinion that Akpabio was an “impressive governor”.

According to the document, “Governor Godswill Akpabio was singled out as an impressive governor by Mark Ward (the managing director of Mobil Producing Nigeria). Akpabio has built upº infrastructure and industrial development. He is one to watch”, Ward reportedly said.
Other southern governors that were also highlighted include Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi and Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole.
The report also said the Chevron Managing Director, Andrew Fawthrop, was the one who suggested that United States Agency for International Development (USAID) should do more for the South South states.

Similarly, the US Consul General (CG) in Lagos, Joseph Stafford, III, was said to have added that “it might be possible to team up with security assets of the IOCs (International Oil Companies) to arrange diplomatic trips to the Niger Delta” ostensibly to assess areas of assistance and further involvements.
This, according to the document, was a way of establishing strong presence as Carson reportedly expressed disappointment that the United States was currently experiencing “huge loss” in Nigeria.

Comparing Nigeria of 1969/1971 and now, Carson was quoted by the document as saying, “with the Nigerian population at 50 million, the United States was better and more broadly represented in a Nigeria that produced almost no oil.”
Commenting on the current situation, he said, “with an embassy in Abuja and a consulate in Lagos, the United States has experienced a huge loss in Nigeria today. The United States must get back into Enugu and Port Harcourt. No presence means no access, which leads to no influence. Without influence you have nothing,” the document added.

Was in that state some months ago, Its pretty impressive what is going on there.

I hope the governor will not deny it, claiming that is the opinion of just ONE person!

Make i join obj and atiku, i dey laugh ooo

Yea, I think the gov is doing well.

Atleast, they didnt mention BRF, the same man every dick and harry over-rated.
Shows you BRF is just another corrupt crook that needs to be swept off come 2011
Vote Babatunde Gbadamosi come next year!