₦airaland Forum

Akwa Ibom, Udom Inoyo, and the New Testament (1)

By Tom FredFish

The periodization in the Bible's time, which divides the Holy Scripture into old and new testament, should be enough enlightenment to mankind that life on earth has two sides of a coin, a beginning, and an end. Versions in the both testaments in the bible maintained expressions and anecdotes of religious and political activists involving prophets who performed the role of spiritual conscience.

The apparent difference in both versions of the book is manifested onefold: in the old testament, you have to bring a lamb as a sacrifice before your sin is forgiven, while in the new testament, following the "atonement" by Jesus Christ through his crucifixion, all one has to do, according to Christian teachings, is repentance and anchoring faith in God through Christ and get your sins automatically forgiven.

That ancient practice in the Bible somehow conferred the exclusive right to sin to the wealthy, since they could afford to sacrifice many lambs as they want, while others who sin and cannot afford to buy a lamb, can die, and rot in hell.

The inequality and the unbalanced contract in the old testament gave rise to the new testament, contract, or covenant to register his displeasure and partner with men.

As the 2023 governorship election draws closer in Akwa Ibom state, discussion on the type and quality of the governor that the people want gave birth to two dominant camps. The first, are those who believe that politicians who give a handout, (interpreted in Ibibio dialect as anò ówo nkpö) are best suited for the position because they usually solve the financial problems of people and that money would 'flow' on the streets when they assume office. To them, the benefit may be temporary, but it has the effect of solving an immediate threat of hunger and deprivation.

The second camp is made up of those who think that giving handouts create more problems for the people than solving them and that the most persons suited for governor are those who will take deliberate steps to expose the citizens on the avenues to create wealth for themselves, in a sustainable way, by training and empowering them with new thinking and various skills to be self-reliant.

Those who belong to the second school of thought contend that with the global shift to focus on skills, technology, and an economy based on self-reliance, giving handouts is old fashion with intent to perpetuate the people to permanent servitude and deprive them the much-needed financial emancipation and self respect.

The saying that “give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime” implies that the ability to work is of greater benefit to one than a one-off or repeated handouts. From experiences and test cases in point, it has been established through history that while handouts can be reasonable in the short term, it is probably not the best and most optimal long-term strategy to build Akwa Ibom youth, thus, should be swept beneath the old testaments.

A few examples come to mind. First, between parents and children. When children are given everything they ask for with no sense of responsibility or appreciation, they do not turn out to be the model citizens their wealthy parents would hope for. While kids that are made to understand that they need to work to achieve all they desire in life, tend to be more successful and responsible.

Second, is the history of the Church in Africa. With the coming of the church in Africa, the missionaries wanted to attract African people to embrace Christianity, hence luring them through material incentives to get the people to attend services and be committed to churches. But it never met with the genuine commitment expected from the worshippers. When the missionaries started sending intelligent children to get an education and become useful in life, the perception of the people changed. They realized that the motivation to learn and be better came from within, internal and not external.

Third, is a multinational corporation and corporate social responsibility. A few multinational companies took to giving monthly handouts to the youths in some parts of Nigeria as requested and agreed upon by the youths of those communities. The action made the youths believe that they do not need to work or invest in their futures. On the other hand, some companies that gave scholarships and in some cases jobs to the youths saw the result when they graduated from school, work and returned to give handouts to their friends, as well as give back to the community they came from and the nation at large.

In effect, teaching one to be self-reliant and independent is the new testament and covenant that Akwa Ibom people have come to appreciate, than a handout.

This new testament is in line with the policy of the former Vice-Chairman of ExxonMobil Companies in Nigeria, Mr. Udom Inoyo who initiated a foundation - Inoyo Toro, to empower Akwa Ibom teachers for more than a decade because he believes that every child should have the right to receive the quality education needed to overcome future obstacles and such education can only stem from a well-motivated and trained teacher.

Positive results from Mr. Inoyo's new testament and Akwa Ibom's teachers' encounters with his foundation have continued to pour in daily.

Dr. Regina Udo John, a mathematics teacher at the State College, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State who is a two-time winner of the Foundation Award, believes that no kind of handouts would have changed her life more than the one gotten from the Inoyo Toro foundation.

In a short video posted by the foundation on February 9, 2020,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AG0JonZ1170, monitored by this author on YouTube, Dr. Udo said: "The Inoyo Toro foundation gave me the required training and finance that changed my life for good. I didn't know anybody in the foundation as at when I was invited for the very transparent selection process. I am very delighted to have won the award because the award catapulted my economic status and enhanced my teaching career to the next level, placing me at the top. Before now, Nigerians and my pupils see mathematics as abstract but through the Inoyo Toro Foundation training, that I got, it compels me to make mathematics easier for them by bringing real-life situation for pupils to understand. I use Annang Language and Ibibio to get geometric objects interpreted to local names that allow students to relate and understand mathematics easily."

"The cash prize I got from the foundation helped my life and economy. I was motivated to use the money to pursue a Ph.D. programme in Mathematics and co-authored three national mathematics textbooks in Nigeria. May God bless Mr. Udom Inoyo for changing my life."

Dr. Udo is a two-time winner of the prize money. She was awarded N250, 000 for first prize in mathematics in 2014, and N500, 000 when she won the Gand Mentor Prize in 2016.

From the above testimonies by Dr. Udo, and that of Mr. Enefiok Joseph Okpon, who called himself the "greatest beneficiary" of Mr. Inoyo's covenant with teachers, there is no doubt that Inoyo's new testament is making waves of positive impact on the lives of Akwa Ibom people. Mr. Okpon, a senior mathematics teacher in Etinan Institute said:

"I am the greatest beneficiary of the Inoyo Toro foundation having won a huge sum of money five times. I didn't know anyone in the foundation before I won the awards. I am very glad that the foundation trained and motivated me to develop my pupils adequately. I have developed successful graduates particularly medical doctors, who studied overseas due to my influence in their lives. The money that the foundation gave me improved my financial status. I was able to add a little amount to acquire a piece of land where I am building my house and also bought a vehicle. May God bless Udom Inoyo for empowering me beyond my dreams."

Available records revealed that Mr. Okpon had won the Grand Mentor Prize of 500, 000 three times, and a First Price Award of N250, 000 twice.

...to be continued.

Dr. Tom FredFish is a journalist and lecturer at the International Institute of Journalism, IIJ, Uyo.

NEWS COMMENTARY

President Buhari and Nigeria’s Incubus Security: Before Anarchy Sets In

The current tragedy bedeviling Nigeria is quite predictable. As you lay your bed, so you lie on it. With the sluggard which Mr. Mohammadu Buhari started his administration in 2015; one can easily predict the president’s deficiency in rational decision making and what awaits Nigerians.

Mr. Buhari did not begin on a good note. That he contested for the office four times before he finally won gave Nigerians the needed motivation that he would do well. But he did not. As his tenure unfolded, signs that he was unprepared and that his administration would not be different from the previous ones became apparent when he was unable to constitute a cabinet after six months in office.

His excuse for the delay was that he needed time to select the right people for the job because he desired to appoint individuals that were untainted by the endemic corruption typified in the Goodluck Jonathan administration.

When Mr. Buhari finally constituted the cabinet, it soon became clear that his administration would not be radically different from Jonathan's or would be worse off. His cabinet was made up of some individuals who had corruption allegations hanging on their shoulders. Others were persons who were known more for being his political bedfellows than for their technocratic qualifications or achievements. Baffled, Nigerians reasoned why Mr. Buhari delayed for about one hundred and eighty days only to select his friends and cronies?

After "serving" his first term and winning the controversial 2019 presidential election, one would expect that Mr. Buhari now understands the problems of Nigeria, and how to overcome them; correct past mistakes, and deliver on his campaign promise, but that was never to happen. It took Mr. Buhari another fifty-four (54) days to send a list of ministerial nominees to the Nigerian Senate for screening after he began his second term.

Nigerians observed with disappointment that the big change that delayed the ministerial list in his second term was that Buhari elected to expand cabinet positions from 36 to 43 with no clear-cut directives on priorities to achieve value. Why then did Mr. Buhari wait for 54 days just to expand a cabinet?

Investigations by Premium Times in 2015 and 2019 revealed that the day-to-day operations of the different ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) were weakened during those times, while coordination of important government policies and programmes became a mess due to the delays.

Several pieces of evidence and documented accounts attest to the fact that Nigeria's current predicament is not because of the president's nepotic leaning but because he is often clueless when faced with making critical decisions. And when he does, it is as good as nothing.

Several examples will prove this point. Recall that following allegation of forged NYSC certificate against a former Minister of Finance, Ms. Kemi Adeosun, irrespective of the public outcry, Mr. Buhari refused to fire her until she resigned from her appointment. Same with the current Minister for Communications and Digital Economy, Alhaji Isa Pantami who was alleged to have had extreme views and softspot for terrorism. Nigerians called for his sack or resignation but Mr. Buhari came out to defend the minister.

After weeks of agitation by Nigerians that Mr. Buhari should address the country following #EndSARS protests against police brutality, Mr. Buhari finally did but made no mention of the troubling events at Lekki toll gate, Lagos, on October 20, when numerous witnesses said Nigerian soldiers fired into a crowd of peaceful, unarmed protesters who had remained at the toll gate following a hastily announced curfew.

Another instance that is still fresh in our memories is the embarrassing withdrawal by Nigeria from signing the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AFCFTA) in 2018 after an initial commitment to sign them. Following delays that it wanted to consult stakeholders; Mr. Buhari withdrew from signing the document.

The ACFTA proposed creating a single market for goods and services, with free movement of people and investments across 55 countries. The deal promised to redefine trade relations among African states and beyond and was expected to aid the coordination of trade liberalization and improve interactions within existing regional economic communities.

Another encumbrance on Mr. Buhari's neck was the delay in sending the name of Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Walter Onnoghen to the Senate for confirmation as substantive CJN. It was unprecedented in the history of Nigeria to have an Acting CJN, occasioned by a president's delay because, in the first place, it was not the prerogative of Mr. Buhari to reject Onnoghen as substantive CJN, but that of the Senate.

Worth mentioning is the delay of Mr. Buhari to relieve former service chiefs of their duties after getting to their retirement age including the former Inspector General of Police Mr. Mohammed Adamu, who clocked the 35 years retirement age, by virtue of the Police Act. After many months of unnecessary delay, Mr. Buhari still took same action that he would have taken long before that time.

With the killing of civilians and security personnel in many parts of the country by Boko Haram, Fulani herdsmen, Bandits, and Unknown gunmen, Mr. Buhari has kept his usual cool, not moved by the outrage generated by the killings. He has failed to take any serious action to halt the killings or address the nation that is in dire need of leadership.

As Mr. Buhari continues to delay, the killers are growing in confidence, becoming well organized and wreaking havoc by the day. Mr. Buhari's inaction against the blood-sucking marauders especially herdsmen has led many to suspect ethnic undertone, warming up to self-defense and calling for the country's disintegration.

The call to disintegrate is being championed by youths of various ethnic groups. IPOB is leading the charge from the South East, fronted by Nnamdi Kanu, a British-Nigerian activist according to Wikipedia, has established the Eastern Security Network (ESN), followed by the Oodua Defence Force (ODF) led by the likes of Sunday Igboho, Dr. B.J Olowo, Koiki with active support from major stakeholders in the West who desire Oduduwa Republic. Other regions are forming their militia security outfits since the Nigerian state can no longer protect or guarantee their safety.

Facts are there to speak. Besides Boko haram and banditry, the present regime has failed to address the threat associated with killings by Fulani herdsmen, fueling speculation in many quarters that they are government-sponsored and protected by the president.

Under Mr. Buhari's administration, "the Fulani herdsmen have been lionized into a killer squad. At the last count, they have massacred over fifty thousand Nigerians in cold blood in the last five years. Communities have been sacked, farmlands ravaged, people kidnapped, and women raped. It is made worse that nobody has been arrested or tried for this ugly state of affairs. The body, Miyeti-Allah, that heads the killer herdsmen has been talking tough in support of their members, the new service chiefs are trying to settle down to their jobs. All that Nigerians hear daily is that “the culprits would be brought to book."

The highways have been turned into a death trap. Abuja/Kaduna Highway, Lagos/Benin Highway, Abuja/Benin Highway and other major highways in Nigeria are no-go areas because traveling on our highways is now like embarking on a suicide mission.

Armed bandits that have been financially empowered by the government through payment of ransom are now the monarchs of the highways. Nigerians are inundated with gory tales of how savage, barbaric dare-devil bandits would emerge from their den in the bush and with relish and without provocation spray innocent travelers with bullets. People now observe special fasting, prayer sessions, and night vigils to secure their journey before traveling. The situation is bad!

Reuters reported that the Nigerian parliament insists that "the nation is on fire," calling Mr. Buhari to take decisive action on the security crisis. But will Mr. Buhari heed to the call or continue to "flunt" his delay trademark, till the country go into flames?

As Nigeria continues to announce its unofficial lead as the new killing-field of the world, after Syria, Iraqi and Afghanistan, Mr. Buhari should wake up from slumber and act as the president of this nation. Nigeria needs leadership, he should give one and remember the oath of office he took, and confront Nigeria's incubus security problem with all the powers given to his office by the 1999 Constitution, Section 218 sub-section 1.

Mr. Buhari should shun sentiments when taking action and deal with anyone, group or persons fermenting crisis. He should as a matter of urgency work with the legislature to reorganize the security forces, motivate them and call for external help if the need arises. He should be aware that he cannot preside over a country in flames. Nigerians are doing all they can to avoid another civil war but wouldn't want to be taken for a ride.

If Nigeria must continue to live as one indivisible entity, there is no better time for Mr. Buhari to act, than now.

Dr. Tom FredFish is a journalist and lecturer at the International Institute of Journalism, IIJ, Uyo.

Real story of How E-Money Made His Wealth

...From Poverty to Stupendous Wealth

By KcPresh Ex Manager, Tom Fish

The sudden rise to affluence of Nigeria's youngest billionaire, entrepreneur, investor, business tycoon, and the chief executive officer (CEO) of Five Star Music, Chukwuemeka Okonkwo alias E-Money usually brings conflicting debates on how he acquired his wealth.

Each time he displays his wealth on social media, some people questions how he made his money. Some would say he is a product of hardwork, luck and a-money-miss-road. While others who speaks convincingly as if they know him say that he is into hard drugs, child trafficking, blood money or rituals. To many others who still cast doubt or questions his integrity, his stupendous wealth remains a mystery.

My name is Tom FredFish. I am from Akwa Ibom state and I am a witness to how E-Money started and got his breakthrough. After reading this piece, you will have to decide if E-Money is worth admiring or condemning.

I first met E-Money in 2006 at Calabar, Cross River State when his elder brother Kingsley Okonkwo with his partner, Precious John with the stage name KcPresh attended an event in Calabar. I had just graduated from the University of Calabar.

E-Money was KcPresh's manager and confidant. As their manager, you would take him for an artist too because of the direct semblance with other artists. He would dress in the same style with KcPresh: braid his hair and use all the necessary "blings blings" which usually distract the avalanche of female fans the duo attracted - many were always head on to meet with E-Money.

E-Money happened to be a very humble young man. He never flirted with the many girls that were always looking for ways to associate with him. He spoke less but made alot of sense each time he speaks. He was the brain box of the "sio nkpo" crooners in many ways.

I was more close to KCee when we met, so we exchange phone numbers before they left for Lagos. We kept in touch for a while and I gave them good representation in Calabar but as friends.

One day, KCee came for an event in calabar in company of Presh and told me that he needs me to come with them to Lagos and be their Manager. He said E-Money who manages them wants to resign and concentrate on his business at the Tin Can Island Port, Apapa, Lagos State, and that he has discussed with E-Money on my new job. That's how I went to Lagos to live with Kcpresh at Ojodu Berger.

Replacing a Workaholic?

KcPresh insisted that I should manage them because of the hardwork and commitment I put to the success of their first ever show at Calabar called the "Sio Nkpo live in calabar" in 2006, which attracted the attendance of the former governor of Cross Rivers State, Mr. Donald Duke. It was a huge success and I played a very huge role.

On arriving Lagos (though I was born and brought up in Badagry, Lagos) to work as KcPresh new manager who is to replace E-Money, a workaholic in 2007, I was faced with an uphill task. E-Money was a creative person who would never want to stop until he achieves his goals. Living with them gave me an insight to the love KCee and E-Money shared and I was treated like a brother than a friend. I lived with KcPresh. While E-Money lived on his own.

E-Money was a clearing and forwarding agent in Tin Can Island Port. He was a workaholic. Focussed and determined to make it in life. I could see the zeal in him. Then he used to drive an ML 360 Mercedes Benz Arsh color jeep. He was the backbone to KcPresh's career. He gave a lot of financial support to the duo from the little he would hustle at the port. He supported KcPresh in everything. There was hardly any week that passed that E-Money wouldn't buy us lunch at an exclusive restaurant in Surelere. And he does that more than three times in a week. At times when he was busy and couldn't meet us up, he would transfer "chop money" to us. He was a lot of things to KcPresh. When we develop a work plan for the growth of their career, the first person we go to is E-Money because when the chips are down, he was always ready to sacrifice his last kobo for his brother's career. The intriguing thing about his sacrifice for KcPresh was that, he was also hustling too. Fortunately for me, he got to like me in a way and we became close that he confided in me in some decisions he took in order to get my opinion.

A Painful Experience that Made Me Cry

One day, we were heading home from an outing when KC saw one of the wealthiest men in Lagos State drove pass with various flashy cars in a convoy. KCee who was on the wheels said, "Fish, you see this life, we shall make it big time. I have suffered so much." He then told me how he met Presh in the church choir at Ajegunle, and how himself, Presh and E-Money were chased out from their one room face-me-I-face-you apartment with only boxers on them because they were unable to pay their house rent. And they left at the middle of the night to sleep in the church where they worshipped in Ajegunle. Kcee said that that episode was the most painful and troubling moment of their lives. He further told me how they would trek from Ajegunle to Festac town to look for a record lebel to listen to their singles and for sponsorship. As he narrated the story, tears rolled out from my eyes. I was not born with "silver spoon" but I didn't suffer that much. All the while, E-Money was just listening to his elder brother and shaking his head, when he saw tears rolling from my eyes, he looked up to me and said: "Fish wetin make you dey cry like small pikin, that story is where we are coming from, but mark this day, I won't stop working hard until I make it in life and in a very big way." He looked at KC and me and said: "Fish, God only wants us to understand life and learn. We have learnt enough. I will have money in this life", he prophesied.

E-Money's Backbone and Prayer Warrior

Juliet, E-Money's girlfriend and currently wife was living with KcPresh. She had a room to herself in KcPresh's two bedroom flat. Three of us, Kcee, Presh and I shared the other room. And anyone that was lucky among three of us to bring someone home, (you know what I mean) will use the remaining bedroom for the night. Others straight to the living room. From a close observation, Juliet was humble, quiet, prayerful, steadfast and focused too. She is the definition of loyalty. She could be in her room for weeks and her phone will not ring for once, except E-Money called her. For a young pretty girl that prays for hours almost daily, you will want to wonder what kind of a young energetic girl she is and why she is so loyal to a man that she is not married to. She was all a man needed to grow in life.

E-Money is a good man with a heart of gold and meant well for everyone, especially his loved ones. One day while I was driving him somewhere, he told me about his girlfriend, Juliet. He said: "Fish you see that my girlfriend Juliet, I thank God for bringing her to my life. She just graduated from LASU while I didn't attend any University but she has been with me thick and think. In times of pains and suffering, she is always there and supportive. She doesn't complain no matter the situation. She is loyal to the core and has never disrespected me for one day. I am wondering what I can ever do on earth to show her my appreciation. She is my backbone." I told him I have seen and can confirm all that he has said. And I remainded him: "you know you are going to be a billionaire", he said yes, I said, "don't ever leave her. Marry her and make her happy forever."

Two weeks later E-Money bought a vehicle for Juliet and asked me to teach her how to drive the car. It was a personal request as his close pal. I accepted to teach Juliet how to drive and even became her part time driver because of her way of life. I taught E-Money's wife how to drive at Omole Phase 1 and most often drove her to LASU where she usually go for her final clearance.

E-Money's first Attempt At Business and Failure

From 2008, E-Money stopped attending clubs and shows with us. When I asked him why he didn't come with us, he would tell me that he was working hard to improve his business, that he intends to start a furniture business at Ikotun, Lagos. That he wants to be importing furnitures and warehouse them at the office space he acquired at Ikotun. I was happy at the development because he is a generous person. If E-Money succeeds, KcPresh who I worked for will be prosperous too. So I was very happy. However, the business didn't go well as planned. He lost a huge amount of money but he didn't give up. He smiled and told me that the devil is joking that he would continue untill he makes it. One day, he called me to go with him to Omole Phase 11 that he wants to rent an apartment there so that his woman can live comfortably. So we went there together. On getting there the agent delayed coming to open the 5 bedroom duplex for us, so we sat inside his car and gisted. He told me he liked me because I was hard working and humble that irrespective of my degree in political science that I still drives his wife around. He asked me to be patient that his business will soon pick up and when it does, I will be his manager and the one to travel out of the country to get his stocks and other business interest for him. I thanked him in advance and was happy. I didn't know why but I always believed in him.

My Exit As Manager and E-Money's Breakthrough

I was happy about E-Money's offer to me. However, I did not stay to see that promise come to pass. Either because of my impatience, different ambition or I was not destined to make it in life through E-Money. I woke up one morning and decided to go back to Akwa Ibom state to pursue a master programme in International Relations at the University of Uyo. I gave KCee a resignation letter. He was angry with me because I did not confide in him first, but went to E-Money. I had gone to discuss my exit with E-Money first because we got more closer than I was to KCee. I bid KcPresh farewell and had a long discussion with E-Money. He is the nicest man I've ever met. When I left, after three years - precisely 2011, I watched him on TV being referred to as E-Money (while I was with them, we called him Emeka), astonished, I called to ask U-tug, one of KcPresh's protege why Emeka is now called E-Money. He explained that the E stands for Emeka while they add Money because of his breakthrough in business and that he's now a big time billionaire into importing and exporting and spends charitably. I smile because it was meant to be. I witnessed how hard he was working and knew he would become rich. But I didn't know it would come that fast. I was happy and called E-Money immediately to say the usual "hi, hello, thought I should say hi to you" (the grammar you make when you want a successful man to notice that you are still alive). He was glad to hear from me. Even after three years of my exit, whenever KcPresh visits Uyo for a show or concert, I always go to keep them company, and sometimes do the manager job. We attend night clubs, seat outs together, I do stayed late in their hotel rooms, we visited government officials etc, together. E-Money finally succeeded after long years of struggle. Today he is into Oil and Gas and Emmy Cargoes Nigeria Limited formerly called Borisa Nigeria Limited (a shipping company) and also has a different chain of businesses abroad and is worth over $100 million dollars.

E-Money's Wealth: an Evidence of Hardwork & Determination

There are various lessons to be learnt from the successes of E-Money - a man who grew from grass to grace. First, is consistency and hardwork. He never gave up when faced with failure. He would scheme to succeed and didn't take failure for an answer. Second, E-Money is a very honest man. A trait I think aided his breakthrough. He doesn't say what he won't do. If he gives you his word, take it to the bank, he would keep it. He took that honest character to his business. Most youths wants to excel but they are not honest. Honesty gives someone an edge. Third, is the power of the tongue. E-Money kept saying that he would make it in life. He was dreaming big. He knew exactly what he wanted to become and he worked tirelessly to achieve it. There is definitely power in the tongue. Anything you want to achieve in life, keep saying it, practice it and it will come to pass. Forth, your success also depends on the type of woman you keep. Juliet was a solid pillar as a girlfriend. She would always pray for him. She stood by him. Advised him. He got his final breakthrough via a contract worth billions of naira after he married Juliet and as they left the venue of the marriage. This goes a long way to show that woman can determine your blessings or suffering. Juliet gave him the foundation for his success. A successful man without a good woman at home is a wasteful success. E-Money has continued to excel because of the peace he finds in his home. Finally, always try and wish people well. Pray for young men that are successful to succeed more, than beefing or villifying them. Most people vilifies E-Money today out of jealousy and sheer ignorance. They doubt his wealth and calls him funny names because they are not happy to see a young man succeeded without a godfather or mother. You can't be looking forward to excel in life by badmouthing successful people. Pray for them and trace how they made their money to enable you position yourself to achieve yours. The success of E-Money is one that should make every youth born without silver spoon to be proud of him. I am very glad my path crossed his, even though the role I played in his success story is insignificant. But history will judge that I bore witness to a young man who determined to make it in life and did made it. His story should inspire and motivate many young people around the world. He's an hero.

Don't give up in your hustle. Just believe.

Real story of How E-Money Made His Wealth

...From Poverty to Stupendous Wealth

By KcPresh Ex Manager, Tom Fish

The sudden rise to affluence of Nigeria's youngest billionaire, entrepreneur, investor, business tycoon, and the chief executive officer (CEO) of Five Star Music, Chukwuemeka Okonkwo alias E-Money usually brings conflicting debates on how he acquired his wealth.

Each time he displays his wealth on social media, some people questions how he made his money. Some would say he is a product of hardwork, luck and a-money-miss-road. While others who speaks convincingly as if they know him say that he is into hard drugs, child trafficking, blood money or rituals. To many others who still cast doubt or questions his integrity, his stupendous wealth remains a mystery.

My name is Tom FredFish. I am from Akwa Ibom state and I am a witness to how E-Money started and got his breakthrough. After reading this piece, you will have to decide if E-Money is worth admiring or condemning.

I first met E-Money in 2006 at Calabar, Cross River State when his elder brother Kingsley Okonkwo with his partner, Precious John with the stage name KcPresh attended an event in Calabar. I had just graduated from the University of Calabar.

E-Money was KcPresh's manager and confidant. As their manager, you would take him for an artist too because of the direct semblance with other artists. He would dress in the same style with KcPresh: braid his hair and use all the necessary "blings blings" which usually distract the avalanche of female fans the duo attracted - many were always head on to meet with E-Money.

E-Money happened to be a very humble young man. He never flirted with the many girls that were always looking for ways to associate with him. He spoke less but made alot of sense each time he speaks. He was the brain box of the "sio nkpo" crooners in many ways.

I was more close to KCee when we met, so we exchange phone numbers before they left for Lagos. We kept in touch for a while and I gave them good representation in Calabar but as friends.

One day, KCee came for an event in calabar in company of Presh and told me that he needs me to come with them to Lagos and be their Manager. He said E-Money who manages them wants to resign and concentrate on his business at the Tin Can Island Port, Apapa, Lagos State, and that he has discussed with E-Money on my new job. That's how I went to Lagos to live with Kcpresh at Ojodu Berger.

Replacing a Workaholic?

KcPresh insisted that I should manage them because of the hardwork and commitment I put to the success of their first ever show at Calabar called the "Sio Nkpo live in calabar" in 2006, which attracted the attendance of the former governor of Cross Rivers State, Mr. Donald Duke. It was a huge success and I played a very huge role.

On arriving Lagos (though I was born and brought up in Badagry, Lagos) to work as KcPresh new manager who is to replace E-Money, a workaholic in 2007, I was faced with an uphill task. E-Money was a creative person who would never want to stop until he achieves his goals. Living with them gave me an insight to the love KCee and E-Money shared and I was treated like a brother than a friend. I lived with KcPresh. While E-Money lived on his own.

E-Money was a clearing and forwarding agent in Tin Can Island Port. He was a workaholic. Focussed and determined to make it in life. I could see the zeal in him. Then he used to drive an ML 360 Mercedes Benz Arsh color jeep. He was the backbone to KcPresh's career. He gave a lot of financial support to the duo from the little he would hustle at the port. He supported KcPresh in everything. There was hardly any week that passed that E-Money wouldn't buy us lunch at an exclusive restaurant in Surelere. And he does that more than three times in a week. At times when he was busy and couldn't meet us up, he would transfer "chop money" to us. He was a lot of things to KcPresh. When we develop a work plan for the growth of their career, the first person we go to is E-Money because when the chips are down, he was always ready to sacrifice his last kobo for his brother's career. The intriguing thing about his sacrifice for KcPresh was that, he was also hustling too. Fortunately for me, he got to like me in a way and we became close that he confided in me in some decisions he took in order to get my opinion.

A Painful Experience that Made Me Cry

One day, we were heading home from an outing when KC saw one of the wealthiest men in Lagos State drove pass with various flashy cars in a convoy. KCee who was on the wheels said, "Fish, you see this life, we shall make it big time. I have suffered so much." He then told me how he met Presh in the church choir at Ajegunle, and how himself, Presh and E-Money were chased out from their one room face-me-I-face-you apartment with only boxers on them because they were unable to pay their house rent. And they left at the middle of the night to sleep in the church where they worshipped in Ajegunle. Kcee said that that episode was the most painful and troubling moment of their lives. He further told me how they would trek from Ajegunle to Festac town to look for a record lebel to listen to their singles and for sponsorship. As he narrated the story, tears rolled out from my eyes. I was not born with "silver spoon" but I didn't suffer that much. All the while, E-Money was just listening to his elder brother and shaking his head, when he saw tears rolling from my eyes, he looked up to me and said: "Fish wetin make you dey cry like small pikin, that story is where we are coming from, but mark this day, I won't stop working hard until I make it in life and in a very big way." He looked at KC and me and said: "Fish, God only wants us to understand life and learn. We have learnt enough. I will have money in this life", he prophesied.

E-Money's Backbone and Prayer Warrior

Juliet, E-Money's girlfriend and currently wife was living with KcPresh. She had a room to herself in KcPresh's two bedroom flat. Three of us, Kcee, Presh and I shared the other room. And anyone that was lucky among three of us to bring someone home, (you know what I mean) will use the remaining bedroom for the night. Others straight to the living room. From a close observation, Juliet was humble, quiet, prayerful, steadfast and focused too. She is the definition of loyalty. She could be in her room for weeks and her phone will not ring for once, except E-Money called her. For a young pretty girl that prays for hours almost daily, you will want to wonder what kind of a young energetic girl she is and why she is so loyal to a man that she is not married to. She was all a man needed to grow in life.

E-Money is a good man with a heart of gold and meant well for everyone, especially his loved ones. One day while I was driving him somewhere, he told me about his girlfriend, Juliet. He said: "Fish you see that my girlfriend Juliet, I thank God for bringing her to my life. She just graduated from LASU while I didn't attend any University but she has been with me thick and think. In times of pains and suffering, she is always there and supportive. She doesn't complain no matter the situation. She is loyal to the core and has never disrespected me for one day. I am wondering what I can ever do on earth to show her my appreciation. She is my backbone." I told him I have seen and can confirm all that he has said. And I remainded him: "you know you are going to be a billionaire", he said yes, I said, "don't ever leave her. Marry her and make her happy forever."

Two weeks later E-Money bought a vehicle for Juliet and asked me to teach her how to drive the car. It was a personal request as his close pal. I accepted to teach Juliet how to drive and even became her part time driver because of her way of life. I taught E-Money's wife how to drive at Omole Phase 1 and most often drove her to LASU where she usually go for her final clearance.

E-Money's first Attempt At Business and Failure

From 2008, E-Money stopped attending clubs and shows with us. When I asked him why he didn't come with us, he would tell me that he was working hard to improve his business, that he intends to start a furniture business at Ikotun, Lagos. That he wants to be importing furnitures and warehouse them at the office space he acquired at Ikotun. I was happy at the development because he is a generous person. If E-Money succeeds, KcPresh who I worked for will be prosperous too. So I was very happy. However, the business didn't go well as planned. He lost a huge amount of money but he didn't give up. He smiled and told me that the devil is joking that he would continue untill he makes it. One day, he called me to go with him to Omole Phase 11 that he wants to rent an apartment there so that his woman can live comfortably. So we went there together. On getting there the agent delayed coming to open the 5 bedroom duplex for us, so we sat inside his car and gisted. He told me he liked me because I was hard working and humble that irrespective of my degree in political science that I still drives his wife around. He asked me to be patient that his business will soon pick up and when it does, I will be his manager and the one to travel out of the country to get his stocks and other business interest for him. I thanked him in advance and was happy. I didn't know why but I always believed in him.

My Exit As Manager and E-Money's Breakthrough

I was happy about E-Money's offer to me. However, I did not stay to see that promise come to pass. Either because of my impatience, different ambition or I was not destined to make it in life through E-Money. I woke up one morning and decided to go back to Akwa Ibom state to pursue a master programme in International Relations at the University of Uyo. I gave KCee a resignation letter. He was angry with me because I did not confide in him first, but went to E-Money. I had gone to discuss my exit with E-Money first because we got more closer than I was to KCee. I bid KcPresh farewell and had a long discussion with E-Money. He is the nicest man I've ever met. When I left, after three years - precisely 2011, I watched him on TV being referred to as E-Money (while I was with them, we called him Emeka), astonished, I called to ask U-tug, one of KcPresh's protege why Emeka is now called E-Money. He explained that the E stands for Emeka while they add Money because of his breakthrough in business and that he's now a big time billionaire into importing and exporting and spends charitably. I smile because it was meant to be. I witnessed how hard he was working and knew he would become rich. But I didn't know it would come that fast. I was happy and called E-Money immediately to say the usual "hi, hello, thought I should say hi to you" (the grammar you make when you want a successful man to notice that you are still alive). He was glad to hear from me. Even after three years of my exit, whenever KcPresh visits Uyo for a show or concert, I always go to keep them company, and sometimes do the manager job. We attend night clubs, seat outs together, I do stayed late in their hotel rooms, we visited government officials etc, together. E-Money finally succeeded after long years of struggle. Today he is into Oil and Gas and Emmy Cargoes Nigeria Limited formerly called Borisa Nigeria Limited (a shipping company) and also has a different chain of businesses abroad and is worth over $100 million dollars.

E-Money's Wealth: an Evidence of Hardwork & Determination

There are various lessons to be learnt from the successes of E-Money - a man who grew from grass to grace. First, is consistency and hardwork. He never gave up when faced with failure. He would scheme to succeed and didn't take failure for an answer. Second, E-Money is a very honest man. A trait I think aided his breakthrough. He doesn't say what he won't do. If he gives you his word, take it to the bank, he would keep it. He took that honest character to his business. Most youths wants to excel but they are not honest. Honesty gives someone an edge. Third, is the power of the tongue. E-Money kept saying that he would make it in life. He was dreaming big. He knew exactly what he wanted to become and he worked tirelessly to achieve it. There is definitely power in the tongue. Anything you want to achieve in life, keep saying it, practice it and it will come to pass. Forth, your success also depends on the type of woman you keep. Juliet was a solid pillar as a girlfriend. She would always pray for him. She stood by him. Advised him. He got his final breakthrough via a contract worth billions of naira after he married Juliet and as they left the venue of the marriage. This goes a long way to show that woman can determine your blessings or suffering. Juliet gave him the foundation for his success. A successful man without a good woman at home is a wasteful success. E-Money has continued to excel because of the peace he finds in his home. Finally, always try and wish people well. Pray for young men that are successful to succeed more, than beefing or villifying them. Most people vilifies E-Money today out of jealousy and sheer ignorance. They doubt his wealth and calls him funny names because they are not happy to see a young man succeeded without a godfather or mother. You can't be looking forward to excel in life by badmouthing successful people. Pray for them and trace how they made their money to enable you position yourself to achieve yours. The success of E-Money is one that should make every youth born without silver spoon to be proud of him. I am very glad my path crossed his, even though the role I played in his success story is insignificant. But history will judge that I bore witness to a young man who determined to make it in life and did made it. His story should inspire and motivate many young people around the world. He's an hero.

Don't give up in your hustle. Just believe.

The Pandemic and Energy Transition: the Future of Work, Post-COVID-19

By Udom Inoyo

A few weeks ago, I was opportuned to speak to a group of Energy practitioners under the auspices of Women in Energy Network, on the subject of leadership agility and resilience.

It was a good opportunity to remind ourselves of the turbulence previously encountered by the oil and gas industry and how our dogged employees, majority of whom are members of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) worked collaboratively with management, to push through the storm.

Some of you will recall the 2007-2008 global financial crises, which had the oil price crashing from US$147 to US$30 a barrel. You will also remember the period between 2014 and 2015, when members of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) consistently exceeded their production ceiling, China experienced a marked slowdown in economic growth, and the U.S. oil production nearly doubled due to substantial improvements in shale “fracking” technology.

Businesses were roundly impacted, but somehow we were able to pull from the brink. Some of you were actively involved in the rescue mission, and we often referred to you as crises management experts, notwithstanding the fact that sometimes, you overreached your mandate by getting involved in matters not under your direct purview, just to help. Well, you know your slogan: injury to one is injury to all!

So, while the COVID-19 pandemic has been unprecedented and globally devastating, affecting individuals and corporate organisations in diverse ways, be aware that the dexterity and cooperation you have demonstrated in the past will be required to navigate businesses out of the woods.

All hands must not only be on deck, but everyone must row in the same direction. Even though I am no longer involved in the day to day management of people issues in the sector, let me quickly acknowledge that everything I have heard so far points to an understanding by the Union of the current situation, and with your members already making huge sacrifices.

For example, those working in remote/offshore locations are subjecting themselves to long periods of quarantine prior to departure, and maintaining longer work schedules, just to keep production going.

That is how it should be and it is quite commendable. And I know that a lot more adjustments may have to be made in the coming weeks/months.

The Future of Work Post COVID-19 Pandemic

You have asked me to speak today about the future of work post Covid-19 pandemic and energy transition. Given your mandate and obligation to your members, I presume what you really want to hear from me is whether the oil industry still has potentials for growth and particularly, if the current disruption will lead to excess manpower, thereby triggering bouts of redundancy or separation.

In other words, you want assurances on job security and better opportunities for your members; just as you want the Union as a body, to continue to be financially buoyant, given that the check-off dues is predicated on membership. These are realistic concerns, otherwise you may be caught napping.

You may wake up one day, even in the not too distant future, to realise that the relevance of the Union has been eroded if you don’t reposition it in line with current realities and evolving trends. While that is not my wish for you, it could be the case. And I will explain shortly.

Energy Transition

It is thrilling that PENGASSAN is paying close attention to the discourse on energy transition. That shows professionalism. While we all appreciate the growth in the energy sector, beginning from the industrial revolution, and the demand growth for fossil fuel as civilisation peaked, we cannot ignore the fact that the concerns hitherto thrown up with regards to climate change had started a journey towards reshaping the industry a while back. And this will not stop, notwithstanding the position taken even by some notable world leaders.

Energy transition (also called the green transition) is the plan to zero out the dependency on fossil fuels (oil and natural gas) thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions with their impact on climate change, and transitioning into renewable energies such as wind power, solar power (thermal, photovoltaic and concentrated), hydro power, tidal power, geothermal energy, ambient heat captured by heat pumps, biofuels and the renewable part of waste, which are environmentally friendly and biodegradable (Eurostat Renewable Energy Statistics).

The European Union has an objective to be the world’s first climate-neutral continent by 2050 through a European Green Deal. If things proceed as planned, hundreds of billion of barrels of oil and trillions of cubic feet of gas investments will be left in the ground as stranded assets due to the transition. Many billion dollar projects will be re-evaluated, with many becoming no longer viable.

The good news is that Nigeria is not inactive in this space.

In furtherance of her commitment as a member of the United Nations, African Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), all of which have variously adopted several treatises and policies to promote the use of renewable energies, the Nigerian government in 2015 rolled out the Nigerian Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Policy (NREEEP). It also set an integrated energy mix target, under the Electricity Vision 30:30:30, of 30 per cent generation from renewable energy sources.

At a 2018 pre-conference workshop of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists, the then minister of Works, Power and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, could not have been more explicit about the Federal Government’s seriousness when he said: “Let me be clear and unequivocal by saying upfront that our commitment as a nation and government to pursue renewable and low carbon energy at a low cost is clear, firm and unshakable. But this is not all. It is a commitment driven by necessity, contract and policy.”

The business environment has been altered and adaptability is the new marketable skill. It was Alvin Toffler, an American businessman and writer, whose works discussed modern technologies, including digital revolution and the impact of culture worldwide, who opined that the illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.

To further demonstrate its seriousness, the Nigerian government has enacted a Feed-in Tariff policy to support the implementation of renewable energy addition to the overall energy mix in the country.

The market is huge in Nigeria, and the country is blessed in abundance with renewable energy sources. In the North, we have the sun and wind; in the South, we have hydro and wind; and there may be possibilities of geothermal sources in the Middle Belt of Jos. It remains to be seen if this would be found in commercial quantities. Additionally, and with regard to funding, Nigeria has successfully issued a green bond (which was oversubscribed) and in July 2018, the Debt Management Office (DMO) listed N10.69 billion green bonds on the stock market at a coupon rate of 13.48 per cent.

The Federal Ministry of Environment is leading the effort to partner donor agencies and the private sector to ensure a steady stream of funding is available for renewable energy projects through the issuance of green bonds and engagement with Financial Centres for Sustainability (FC4S).

Some companies are already moving in this direction, knowing that it is the right thing to do. For instance, the national oil company, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has a department focused on renewable energy, while Total has retrofitted some of its gas dispensing stations with renewable energy.

There are more examples to cite. A recent Deloitte 2020 Oil and Gas Industry Outlook mid-year report acknowledged that the oil and gas companies of today, many of which aspire to be the broad-based energy companies of tomorrow, will need to figure out how to produce more oil and gas (and increasingly power) year after year, while also being carbon-conscious and addressing stakeholder’s sustainability concerns.

Coming back home, the year 2020 was expected to be a good year for the industry, both for liquids and gas. In fact, 2020 was tagged Our Year of Gas. We had plans to ramp up investment in exploration and drilling activities, unlock opportunities in marginal fields (the Department of Petroleum Resources is proceeding with the bid process) and generally increase production.

Gas reserves actually increased to a peak volume of 203 trillion cubic feet (cf.) in 2020 through these increased exploratory activities. Major gas projects including NLNG Train 7 and the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) pipeline are in progress, given the attendant benefits to the nation.

With the AKK project, despite a few political shots to the contrary, the benefits should not be lost on us as the completion of the project will see an increase in electricity generation, clean gas for domestic and industrial consumption, and improved supply from Ajaokuta through Abuja and Kaduna on to a terminal gas station in Kano.

Also important is the opportunity of getting Nigeria’s gas into Europe, being the first part of the Trans Nigeria Gas Pipeline Project (TNGP).

While the oil (liquid) reserve target of 40 billion barrels by 2020 has not been met (the current reserve level is ~36bb), we managed to keep production steady at about two million barrels per day (~2mb/day) of liquid oil. However, presently, the OPEC cap to manage price through the demand/supply mechanism is a major constraint to production.

Overall, while fossil fuel will continue to remain attractive, at least for now, we should never forget the country’s commitment to pursue renewable energies, driven by necessity, contract and policy. And, it is the right thing to do.

PENGASSAN – Today and Tomorrow

Resources for the Future, an independent, nonprofit research institution, in her May 2020 report opined that while it is still unclear how long lasting the effects of COVID-19 will be, there is already clear evidence of its immediate impacts. As of the end of April, crude oil prices had fallen bmore than 70 per cent in just two months, amid cratering demand and stubbornly elevated supply. Real-time data on electricity use for the United States has revealed falling electricity demand, as people change their habits.

Similar declines have been seen in Europe, coinciding broadly with the timing and stringency of each country’s lockdown.
Additionally, with the world practically shut down, economic activities halted, and everyone focused on survival. The International Energy Agency (IEA) has acknowledged that this period has witnessed the largest decline in global energy demand since World War II, stretching across every continent. So how should PENGASSAN respond to all these?

As earlier canvassed, PENGASSAN’s immediate focus area should be the impact of COVID-19 on her members.

So what should PENGASSAN be doing to keep the ship sailing and mitigate further damage to the industry?

As Africans, I want us to be reminded of the proverb which says only a fool tests the depth of a river with both feet.
More than ever, whatever you desire to do must be carefully considered and responsibly executed. I hereby propose the following posers for your kind consideration:

What Is Keeping Business Leaders Awake?

All of you seated here are business leaders. And I am sure you are not sleeping comfortably, knowing what COVID-19 has done to businesses; with some hitherto rock-solid companies filing for bankruptcy, while others have either laid off many staff and or are struggling to pay salaries.

How prepared are you for the aggressive role of technology in today’s market? More than ever, technology cannot be wished away in today’s business environment. In the last six months, we have witnessed a minimum manning level, with fewer personnel working in critical oil and gas sectors, while getting production going in a safe manner.

You must have heard that in the U.S., about 40 million jobs have been lost, while in Nigeria, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has just released the unemployment figure in the country, showing an increase from 23.1 per cent in 3Q 2018 to 27.1 per cent as of 2Q 2020.

The number of the underemployed is much higher and it is going to get worse with those hitherto employed likely to join the labour market.

What is needed most at this time is understanding and support from bodies like PENGASSAN, given that your members must reinvent and hone other skills to ensure they can fit into the new ways business will operate going forward. Every support counts towards recovery. Nothing should therefore be done to increase the misery of companies.

What Skills Will You Require In Your Organisation?

On August 15, there was a Business Leadership Roundtable on Mindset for the New Agenda, hosted by Effiong Esumo for the Oro nation, and he highlighted the fact that businesses are no longer looking for employees who simply carry out tasks, but those who are solution providers. How apt!

The business environment has been altered and adaptability is the new marketable skill. It was Alvin Toffler, an American businessman and writer, whose works discussed modern technologies, including digital revolution and the impact of culture worldwide, who opined that the illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.

How prepared are your members to adjust to the current realities? What training opportunities are you canvassing for them? Most are now virtual and the cost is low.

How prepared are you for the aggressive role of technology in today’s market? More than ever, technology cannot be wished away in today’s business environment. In the last six months, we have witnessed a minimum manning level, with fewer personnel working in critical oil and gas sectors, while getting production going in a safe manner.

While projects have been scaled back, and there are no on-going drilling or exploration activities, we can be assured that various technology centres are aggressively seeking ways to re-start programmes, and with technology playing a much bigger role. At a recent online ADIPEC Energy Dialogue Webinar, Philip Whittaker, partner and director, Oil and Gas, at the Boston Consulting Group was quoted as saying that one of his clients, working in North Sea operations, which demobilised about 40 per cent of its traditional crew from the platforms because of the pandemic, was still able to liquidate 90 per cent of her plant maintenance and integrity activity due to the application of wearable technology, digitised remote viewing and remote work planning.

Additionally, oilandgasrepublic.com has a report that Huawei has already highlighted seven technologies that will reshape the oil business: from big data and analytics, the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and edge computing, cloud computing, AI and machine learning, robotics and drones, 5G networks and collaboration tools. Will the members of PENGASSAN be ready when these tools are fully deployed?

How Can the Union Reinvent Itself?

I foresee that the traditional role of the Union will take a natural decline, and if you must stay relevant, you need to start refocusing on getting your members, including personnel, likely to be on-boarded through a virtual hiring process and working outside the traditional office setting to continue to appreciate your offerings.

For instance, we know that most offices may not be fully reopened for some time, how is the Union assessing this situation and advancing engagements aimed at bringing terms and conditions of employment to be in conformity with current and evolving business realities?

Why should companies continue to bear costs originally in place for a physical work arrangement? This should be a subject of conversation.

Conclusion

There is a Ugandan proverb that reminds us that, “It is survival, not bravery that makes a man climb a thorny tree.” The oil and gas business is capital intensive, technology driven and has a long-term orientation. No one goes in with a view to making immediate profits.

We have seen many companies go-under on account of errors; drilling dry holes, project cost over-run, safety gaps, etc. We are also privy to situations where fiscal terms, community strife and general insecurity become barriers to investment. While there may have been strategies developed over the years to respond to some challenges, very few organisations thought about a response to a pandemic attack on the scale of COVID-19. This is therefore a time to meaningfully revisit the Unions popular phrase of a salubrious relationship.

You have an opportunity to innovate, becoming advocates for businesses and rowing in the same direction, for the overall good of all parties. Thats the right thing to do. Thats what will benefit thousands of your members. And at a personal level, thats what I want, given the need to secure my pension after 30 years of hard work in the industry we all care about.

Udom Inoyo is a former vice chairman, ExxonMobil Nigeria.

This was delivered as the guest speaker at the Sixth Triennial National Delegates Conference of PENGASSAN IN Abuja on Thursday August 27

Discordant Tunes in Nigeria - Ghana Relations

By Tom FredFish

Nigeria and Ghana has faced dramatic twists and turns in their diplomatic relations over the years. In an unsubtle manner the interactions between the two countries has oscillated between co-operation and mutual suspicion. A study of the relations between the two countries constitute an interesting research for both scholars of international relations and interested publics in the understanding of the dynamics of international relations.

For now, the concern is that their interactions have defied the logic of simple prediction even when they have so many things in common.

Both counties have similar backgrounds of interest. At independence, the challenge of African unity was at the front burner of their national discourse as they lived up to the challenge of helping other colonized countries to gain their political freedom. Historical, they are victims of exploitative and dehumanizing British colonialism and achieved a series of constitutional conferences.

Economically, both countries were basically agricultural and dominated export of primary produce and the import of a wide range of manufactured goods and services from Europe and North America. They have been faced with similar economic problems of mass poverty, corruption and deprivation. Contemporaneously, both countries are in their Ninth Republic after recovering from battered democracies ochestrated by a series of military interventions. In sports, both countries have a long history of soccer rivarly.

Notwithstanding the similar background of interests, both countries have shared discordant memories from 1960 to date. An attempt to overcome these challenges and strengthen their age-long socio-economic ties to energize and consolidate their relations led to the Nigeria - Ghana Economic Summit in Accra in 2010 to enable the business community of both countries make input into the formulation of government policies to eliminate trade barriers. But it made no significant impact on their relations.

The renewed hostilities between both countries has left International Relations experts calibrating on the reoccurring row. Could Ghana be flexing financial muscles with Nigeria because of her budding economy, or are they taking swipe on Nigeria's multifaceted and incubus challenges? Could it also be the discovery of large quantities oil wells in Ghana, which predicts Ghana to be an oil producing and exporting country like Nigeria from 2020? Nigeria's role as a major oil supplier and her rating as the biggest economy in Africa should occupy important position in this discourse.

Nigeria, through her Minister of Information and Culture, Chief Lai Mohammed has made a couple of accusations. They accused Ghana of seizing her Mission's property at 10 Barnes Road, Accra, as well as demolishing that of 19/21 Julius Nyerere Street, Accra; deporting of about 825 Nigerians under one year; placing huge Residency Permit Fees on Nigerians; waging media war against Nigerians in Ghana; harassing Nigerians in Ghana; closing down of Shops belonging to Nigerians; biased judicial trial and pronouncements of indiscriminate long jail terms for convicted Nigerians and outrageous stipulations and amendment of the GIPC Act.

Ghana on her part denied all the allegations against her through her Minister of Information, Endkojo Oppong Nkrumah (MP) but noted that Nigeria should not be the one complaining because she had taken steps that gravely affected other countries in the region including Ghana, in a bid to pursue her national interest.

The Nigerian President, Mohammadu Buhari had through an executive order closed the Seme Krake border since August 2019 till date, hindering human and vehicular movements and enforcing policies aimed at preventing foreigners from getting jobs that Nigerians can do.

Nigerians in Ghana disagrees with the Ghanaian Information Minister through the president of the Nigerian Traders Union in Ghana, Chukwuemeka Nnaji who informed NAN that the allegations against Ghana were true. To cement Mr. Nnaji's information, actions further taken by Ghanaians suggests in some quarters that Ghana's hostilities is because Nigeria was the first to luanch a missile when it closed it's borders, harming Ghanian businesses.Two events can be adduced to this fact.

First, a group "Ghana The Black Star of Africa" dedicated to highlighting the bright side of Ghana on social media, queried on their Facebook page why Nigeria shut her border. In a post which generated over a thousand likes, they said: "Have people asked why Nigeria closed it’s border immediately Ghana won the bid to host the Secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)? And they didn’t close all their borders but the western border, the one that borders Benin, Togo and Ghana. That’s the only border smuggling can take place, no other place, they claim. Ghanaians are known to be laidback, it’s almost un-Ghanaian to speak some of these facts but if some of these things remain unspoken, relationships cannot be mended. We hope one day, we will see ourselves as Africans than the boundaries carved for us by the colonialists," they quizzed.

Second, is the statement made by Ghana's Foreign Minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, who said that Nigeria's border closure in 2019 hurt Ghanaians and nearly bankrupted many: "of course, this decision ended up hurting Ghanaian exporters and brought many of them to their knees financially as trucks were stuck at the Seme Krake border for months."

However, Some Nigerians do not believe that the closure of her border was the motivation for Ghana's latest hostilities. The opinion were expressed by Senator Musliu Obanikoro and Chief Dele Momodu in seperate interviews on Channels Television.

Senator Musliu Obanikoro, a former High Commissioner to Ghana confirmed that he was not surprised that Ghana authorities often demand exorbitant amount as taxes from Nigerian traders - a practice he discouraged when he was serving in Ghana. On his part, Dele Momodu, a journalist, publisher and resident in Ghana for over a decade, said that Ghana's action is a long age political attitude and a calculated attempt at expunging Nigerians from the country.

As the Speaker of the Nigerian House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabialamila sets the tune to fix the age long relationship with a two day visit to the Parliament of Ghana, both counties should consider the strategic roles they play in West Africa and be conscious of the kind of domestic policies they make, as this thesis have proven that domestic policies of a country can have ripples affect on another. Ghana should be sincere in taking responsibility for the demolished Nigerian Mission, while making amends to complement each other should top priority in the new talks for coexistence. Ghana should dismantle or revisit the GIPC Law on Retail Trade in a bid to make it more humane, while appealing to the Nigerian authority to consider reopening her borders or profer alternative in air or water as big brother of the region.

They should work to strengthen their links with the existing diaporas for accurate information and their diplomatic missions should develop patience and understanding with one another. This thesis opined that both countries should as a matter of urgency open a Trade and Consultative Forum (TCF) under their Embassies, High Commission and Consulate to open discussions whenever policies that may affect their citizens or business interests are to be taken. They should also consider rendering courteous services, openness and prompt response to inquiries about government policies and programmes, timely and frequent communication and information dissemination should be activated by both countries.

Whether they will leave their egos behind and think along these lines is a decision they must consider for the interest of Africa. But in all, the suggested keys are means to building an effective and positive relations between both West African countries and the African continent as a region.

Dr. Tom FredFish is a Political Scientist, Journalist and Scholar in International Politics

2019: Like Macbeth, like Nsima

Tom FredFish

Powerful in nature and curious to the teeth, one can never tell what would come next when it comes to witches and their prophesies. Witches possess dark authority and supremacy, and the temptation to ignore then is unfeasible. They carry with them gloomy days of darkness and evil thoughts. But it is ultimately skewed to play mind games with ONE and if ONE allow them, they lead ONE to doom. Most often, witches work hand in hand with some pastors, (argue that with yourself, it is allowed).

While is it difficult to ascertain who covers who, overtime, testimonies in churches and public places suggests that pastors approach witches for powers and the manifestations of the powers often misled some Christians to their doom.

The essay by Williams Shakespeare "Macbeth" readily comes to mind when reviewing the rejection of President Mohammadu Buhari by members of his party, APC in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state when he visited to flag off his 2019 campaigns. The stadium emptied halfway into the president's three minute speech. What? Did they disappeared in less than three minutes? What could have led to the embarrassment by the once enthusiastic party faithfuls. One narrative has it that the hired crowd was disappointed that the president had nothing to offer the state for a second term while another said it was a protest against the party for foisting an unpopular candidate on the state gubernatorial election.

Who foist who on who? Did a candidate foist himself on the party or did the party foist a candidate on her members? The role of witches and some pastor's prophesies are extrinsically tied to this thesis: that an unforseen hands can act as catalyst to ONE's ambition which do not not go in tandem with the people.

In the book, "Macbeth", a brave Scottish general named Macbeth received a prophecy from a trio of witches that one day he will become King of Scotland but before then, he would assume a higher position. Consumed by ambition and spurred to action by his wife - (who in this case could be a pastor, friend or political ally) Macbeth moved in to take the Scottish throne for himself. He is then wracked with guilt and paranoia. Forced by uncertainty, he visits the witches a second time for direction. And trust witches, they told him what he wanted to hear - three things, two of which seems impossible. One, he should beware of Macduff, a scottish nobleman who opposed his ascension to the throne, two, no man born of woman can harm him and three, he will be safe until Birnam Wood moves to Dunsinane Castle.

Macbeth is relieved and feels secure because he knows that all men are born of women and that forest cannot move hence the thought that the throne is his for keeps. To Macbeth, the witches prophesies guaranteed his invincibility, but he is struck numb with fear when he learns that the English army is advancing on Dunsinane shielded by moving Birnam woods - indeed the forest is coming!

Still bold and courageous in near defeat that he is indestructible, Macbeth encountered a vengeful Macduff who told him that he was not "born of woman" but was "untimely ripped" (what we now call birth by cesarean section) from his mother's womb. Macduff killed and beheaded Macbeth.

The role of witches in the above essay should serve as lessons to politicians, that one, they are preys in the hand of soothsayers who would never give an accurate prophesy - the witches knew that Macduff was not born of woman that was why they asked him to beware of Macduff. Only fervent prayers in God helps, not prophesies from strange gods. Two, if Macbeth did not rely on the witches prophesies, he would end well and be a history rather than tragedy. But by sparkling Macbeth inner human desire, the witches were able to guide him down a dark path which led to his demise. Three, witches will tell you what is meant to happen to you in order to gain your trust which will serve as the catalyst for your rise and fall.

Obong Nsima Ekere's appointment as the MD of NDDC was the first prophecy fulfilled. His desire to be the governor of Akwa Ibom state is a resultant of other prophesies which ascribed the seat to him by any means. But not every prophesy or ambition has the blessings of God. To be sure I penned Macbeth appropriately to the Nsima Episode - define the the roles of some characters in APC beginning with Rotimi Amaechi - your guess is as good as mine. The reliance on Federal Might by Akwa Ibom APC to win the election will turn out to be the Peoples Might. Witches may predict, pastors may prophesy, but the will of God will never be distorted.

Make no mistake, Nsima's ambition is not wrong but the propensity of God's backing is absent, that is why the generality of Akwa Ibom people feels he should have been contented in his current position. "God cannot make two people a governor of a state, at the same time", they opine.

Howbeit, since democracy is generally viewed as government of the people, by the people, and for the people, 2019 election is another yardstick to prove that both witches and pastor's prophesies has no place in an election other than the tested and trusted credentials of candidates, their deeds in offices and only God's mercy.

Tom FredFish is a public affairs analyst.

Who Bewitched Senator Akpabio?

Tom FredFish

“O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth." - Galatians 3 vs 1

He was a role model to many. known for kindness. He was humble, warm and receptive. He used to believe in God and never attributed his successes to himself. I had written severally about him but my first encounter with him left me humbled by his simplicity and kind mien. He was not a comedian but whatever he said put smiles on people's faces - that was the man Godswill Obot Akpabio!

In my last article about Senator Akpabio, published on Ibom Telegraph, May 15 2018, and on my Facebook timeline which attracted about two thousand five hundred likes and nine hundred and forty two positive comments, I scripted Akpabio as "a compassionate leader with multiple dosage of human kindness, many who don’t have access to him were ready to wait for hours just to touch his shoes, knowing fully well that, doing so will not only remedy their immediate problems, but will likely make them smile forever. No one meet with Godswill Akpabio at any time of the day and remains the same. People’s faith and hope on him were unshaken. Just as his zeal to serve humanity is legendary. Make no mistake, Akpabio purpose on earth was to be an helpmate to many."

That was who Godswill Akpabio was. That was who many Akwa Ibom people like myself followed and trusted. That was the Akpabio that supported one of Akwa Ibom best brains to be governor of the state today - Udom Emmanuel. But the above quoted words cannot be said of the Godswill Akpabio we now see and hear today; not by me, not from a neutral perspective, hence a recourse to what happened to the man who garnered so much respect previously. Who bewitched Akpabio?

The Senator Akpabio we know before eight eight, 2018 is not the Akpabio we now know! This is absolutely true though debatable.

To bewitch is to cast a spell on someone using occult power to influence the thinking of the person through witchcraft manipulation in order to control, captivate the emotions and overcome the person. When someone is under an occult spell, the person is not able to focus or concentrate on his purpose of life but falls in love with something else. The persons feels an irresistible attraction towards a person previously not disposed to - Nsima Ekere; a naive doctrine - Buharism; and a wrong political idea - APC. A bewitched person is ready to lose everything including his soul for what? Nothingness!

Why would I think that the man I use to respect so much is bewitched?

There are certain characteristics a bewitched person possess which are inherent in Senator Akpabio today. First, a bewitched person becomes foolish, boring, live an uninspiring, uneventful life and makes unnecessary mistakes. How else would one explain the fact that Senator Akpabio told the world that supporting Governor Udom Emmanuel to be governor in 2015 was a mistake when Akwa Ibom people remembered vividly that Akpabio went for and supported Governor Udom - a credible, competent and outstanding individual in the private sector because he felt, Obong Umana Umana, Obong Nsima Ekere, Bishop Samuel Akpan and others were not good enough to govern Akwa Ibom state. Sensing the grievous mistake in his statement, Akpabio later deny the statement in less than 24hours, giving my first thesis of a likelihood of being bewitched.

The second characteristics of a bewitched person is that he becomes rebellious. Who would believe that Akpabio who claimed to love Akwa Ibom people and did so much for this state in the past could threaten to invade Akwa Ibom state like Hitler invaded Poland because of politics! Impossicant!
And he recently gave Senator Ita Enang a pat on his back for threatening to burn down the Nest of Champions - one of his legacies when PDP initially deny APC use of the stadium. The Akpabio we know would dare not use such word (war) or support any one attempting to tear down his legacy or the state, no matter the situation.

Thirdly, Akpabio may have been bewitched because a bewitched person is forgetful and uncharitable in knowledge and with truth. This could be the reason why Akpabio who had been a Commissioner in PDP government from 2002 to 2006; governor from 2007 to 2015 and a Senator from 2015 to 2018 (a whopping 13 years in office) and having boasted to have transformed the state in an uncommon way, on defecting to APC claimed that PDP did not do anything good in their 16 years in office! Mbom! What a sacrilege!

To further support my fears that Akpabio may have been bewitched is that a bewitched person becomes
unnecessarily proud, generates selfish ambition and is easily provoked. That Akpabio who claims to be the Alfa and Omega of the PDP in Akwa Ibom state defected from the PDP without a single Local Government Chairman - the grassroot movers and shakers moving with him shows that Akwa Ibom people sees his movement as a selfish ambition not worth emulating.

To time tasted psychologists, a bewitched person suffers from chronic depression, negative anxiety and cowardice. According to Governor Wike, the Rivers state Governor, Akpabio left PDP for APC because he is a coward who did not have the guts to face EFCC prosecution like ex governor Fayose and others. More so, only someone with a high level of depression and anxiety like Akpabio would tell President Buhari to his face that "his heart was with him in 2015" when it is a public knowledge that Akpabio kicked against his ambition like no other in 2015.

A bewitched person experiences mysterious panic attacks. Remember how Akpabio had raised alarm that his house was under armed attack when robbers according to police report were operating miles away from his home. No education is needed to tell one that only a bewitched person would want to destroy a house he helped build.

Now that series of instances has adumbrated our fears of Senator Akpabio being bewitched, the question that would naturally follow is who bewitched Senator Akpabio?

As we contemplate on that question, when next Senator Akpabio climbs any podium or is a guest to any television or radio station to make uncomplimentary statements about PDP or Governor Udom Emmanuel, we should pity and pray for him since we now know where his problems stem from. But one thing is certain, may whoever that bewitched the Akpabio we once loved and cherished know no peace in Jesus name.

And let the people say, Amen.

Tom FredFish is a public affairs analyst

22 Things Governor Udom Will Not Do!

Tom FredFish

With the 2019 Akwa Ibom state governorship election drawing closer, the opposition APC for fear of defeat, recruited some witty guys to do black propaganda on social media with a basic mission of discrediting Governor Udom Emmanuel administration and projects, smear his name, reputation and run down his appointees. Their intention is to discourage Akwa Ibom people from reelecting him back to office in 2019.

However, their plans have failed because Akwa Ibom people have realized 22 things Governor Udom will not do as a politician:

1. Governor Udom will not KILL anyone to perpetuate himself in power. This is why there has not been any high profile murder since he assumed office in 2015.


2. Governor Udom will not LOOT or misappropriate Akwa Ibom money. The state finance is in the care of a very honest man who is challenged by the high rate of unemployment he met when he assumed office in 2015. His basic concern is how to utilize the little resource available to create employment and wealth for the people in line with his agenda rather than plunder the resources of the state as some political office holders did in the past.


3. Governor Udom will not OWE or HOLD back worker’s salaries. This is why Akwa Ibom workers are usually paid salaries as at when due because Governor Udom cares and takes workers welfare as his top priority.

4. Governor Udom will not be DESPERATE to win 2019 governorship election. This is why his strength lies only in God and Akwa Ibom people who believe he has done more than enough to deserve a second term in office.


5. Governor Udom will not BETRAY Akwa Ibom people if he wins a second term in office. Udom has integrity, so he can never take the mandate of the PDP given to him by Akwa Ibom people to another party whose foundation is laid on falsehood. He is principled and can stand any storm, no matter the pressure on him.

6. Governor Udom will not RESIGN from office because of rumour of impeachment. Governor Udom is not lily-livered like some politicians would do when faced with threat of impeachment. If (which is not possible) there is any notice of impeachment, Udom will face it accordingly and clear himself from all accusations because he believes that only the guilty would betray people loyal to him by resigning just because of a mere rumour of impeachment.


7. Governor Udom will not ASSOCIATE with people that previously called him murderer, thief, and kidnapper because he wants allies to help him grab power.

8. Governor Udom will not SUPPORT any cult related activities from any Akwa Ibom person or any of his appointees. That is why he proscribed cult and their activities in the state making the state safe, peaceful and inhabitable for all. This singular action has endeared many Akwa Ibom people to him.


9. Governor Udom will not INTIMIDATE political opponents or deny them the use of public facilities. That is why members of the opposition APC have had field’s day campaigning through the length and breadth of the state using public properties such as the Nest of champions, Uyo Township Stadium, AKBC Television and Radio among others facilities unhindered.


10. Udom Emmanuel will not DECLARE war on Akwa Ibom people. He believes that power belongs to God and he gives it to whoever he wants. Instead of Governor Udom to hire armed thugs to invade Akwa Ibom state the manner Hitler invaded Poland, Udom will rather resign from office and return to his well accomplished private practice. His love for Akwa Ibom people has no bound.


11. Governor Udom will not LIE or DECEIVE Akwa Ibom people with unattainable blueprint just to attain political power. Governor Udom will not use propaganda by telling Akwa Ibom students that he would pay them 25, 000 naira yearly bursary when computing of the total number of Akwa Ibom state students is still ongoing, neither would he deceived them that he would create a new “Atai” State out of Akwa Ibom State to get their votes like others saying anything just to cling on to power for a day. Udom is different.

12. Governor Udom will not visit any SORCERER or do any ritual to win election, no, never! He is a deacon in the church of God who relies only in God and has variously stated clearly that “let him not have what God cannot give him.”

13. Governor Udom will never FUND CULTIST or any inordinate group to kill, maim and hijack ballot boxes in order to be reelected. He believes in free and fair elections and that only Akwa Ibom people would decide who will govern them and not any politician from Abuja or Federal might.

14. Governor Udom will not ENCOURAGE his wife, Martha to insult clergymen, harass security men or embarrass him in public places. Instead of Udom to encourage the erratic behaviour of his wife in church or other public places, Udom would be the first person to caution her and apologize on her behalf for her wrong doing.


15. Governor Udom will not use his wife to FORCEFULLY eject any political office holder who stands on his way to reelection in 2019. He is too decent not to act on his own.


16. Governor Udom will not make so much NOISE in the media on his performance in office or beat his own drum so loud because only empty vessels make load noises. People that perform in office do not need to spend billions of naira for media hype. He believes his works would speak for him.


17. Governor Udom will not WASTE Akwa Ibom resources on white elephant projects. He knows the areas of need in the state and is giving them proper attention to uplift the standard of living of the people. He is channeling the state resource to the appropriate quarters and not for his personal or parochial interest.


18. Governor Udom will not LEAVE the state in debt by 2023, never! The fact that Governor Udom met so much debt does not mean that he would increase it. Governor Udom is working assiduously to ensure that he services the state debt and free our unborn children from the calamity bestowed on them by previous government.


19. After president Buhari lose to Atiku and is sent back to Daura in 2019, Governor Udom will not LIE to his face that “his heart was with him” in 2019. Udom is straightforward and never a two-mouthed person. He is also not a deceitful politician who says what he does not mean.


20. Governor Udom will not RELIEVE some of his political appointees of their appointment because they have ties with his political opponents. No, never! Even though he has been betrayed in the past, the fact that he wishes them well makes him convinced that they would do him good notwithstanding their relationship of his opponents. That is why he appointed a brother to a political opponent Commissionership position in his cabinet. Udom is a good man.

21. Governor Udom will not INFLATE the cost of doing projects in the state to enrich self. For a man who has cut his teeth in the banking sector, self-aggrandizement from public fund is a taboo. He is not greedy to amass stupendous wealth for himself and family. Udom is a goal.


22. Governor Udom will not LOSE the 2019 governorship election. Don’t marvel. Go to the streets and ask any eligible voter who they will cast their votes on. The final answer is: Governor Udom Emmanuel.

Tom FredFish is a public affairs analyst

Just in:

25,000 Unit, wards, Chapter and state officers of the APC defect to PDP, citing peace and prosperity agenda of Governor Udom Emmanuel as rationale for their decision.

Keeping Akwa Ibom in Peace and Prosperity: Why Udom is the only Option

Tom FredFish,
8th December, 2018

Despite the many gains for peace in the past three and half years in Akwa Ibom state by the Udom Emmanuel led administration, the drum beat of war by Akwa Ibom APC candidates for 2019 elections baffles right thinking citizens on the real intentions of APC for the state.

Before the coming of the Udom-led administration in 2015, Akwa Ibom state was rated unsecured and a flashpoint of violence during electioneering. That period had Senator Godswill Akpabio, Obong Nsima Ekere, Obong Umana Umana among many others who are now in the APC, governing the state.

Irrespective of various attempts by the Nigerian police, there exist unresolved cases of high profile murder, politically motivated assassinations, kidnappings, rape, robberies and political violence.

There are several known instances to buttress this point. An Ibibio monarch, Oku Ibom Ibibio III, Edidem James Robert Obot was murdered in cold blood in his palace in 2011; a retired General of the Nigerian Army, Edet Akpan was reportedly kidnapped during church service; one staff, two police men escorting cash belonging to Idems Ultimate Limited from their Abak road office to a nearby Bank at Abak road were attacked by robbers who shot about three people dead and carted away the company's money.

Political violence was also the order of the day as violent cases were recorded in Ikot Ekpene during political campaigns by thugs loyal to a current APC chieftain as youths returned to Uyo on reprisal, attacked innocent citizens and burnt down several vehicles and tricycles popularly know as keke Napep bought by the state government to ease transportation in the state. A candidate for Mkpat Enin state constituency, Dr. Joseph Akpan-akpudo was allegedly murdered in cold blood because of his political ambition. The list of breach of peace, violence and insecurity is inexhaustible.

The threat to peace from 2007-2015 when Senator Godswill Akpabio reigned as governor was not without repercussions. The foundation of Akwa Ibom peace, prosperity and development were hampered.

Two cases will prove this point. According to Darabong Utip, an indigene of Uyo Local Government Area who told her story in a recorded video message, peace is sine qua non for prosperity. Darabong was born and bred in the North East of Nigeria. At the peck of the Boko Haram menace in the north in 2012, her family ran back to Akwa Ibom state for safety but insecurity in Akwa Ibom state was in no way different from that of Maiduguri state where they fled from. Her parents immediately left Akwa Ibom to nearby Cross River state until Udom came in 2015 and restored normalcy.

Darabong confided that the movement to seek a peaceful environment after fleeing the North affected the economy of her parents that she and her siblings dropped out of school because her parents could hardly fend for them talk less of paying their school fees. She stayed away from school for three years until Udom Emmanuel assumed office in 2015 and her family returned to the state, thus while her contemporary had graduated and some gone for youth service, she began year one at the university.

The story of Ubong Nkanga is not different from Darabong Utip. Ubong recounted: "I am from Akwa Ibom state, between 2009-2014, the state was insecure, and many businesses collapsed. Night life in Uyo seized and my parent's food business was affected. I and my siblings dropped out of school. However when Udom came as governor in 2015, the security situation changed, people could now go out at night. My parents went back to their business, and we are back to school, there is nothing absolute as peace. We are happy that the dark days in Akwa Ibom are over."

The above elucidations have shown that the absence of peace can affect prosperity. Peace can be defined as law and order within a state and the absence of violence or disturbances. Without peace no substantial development can take place - no economic activities, opportunities, looking for jobs, payment of taxes, seeking for votes or profits can take place in a situation that lacks peace.

Without peace, there can never be prosperity and no prosperity can exist without peace. To fast track the achievement of lasting peace, the Udom Emmanuel administration took into cognizance four major steps from the onset.

First, is decent livelihoods. The PDP administration under Governor Udom took cognizance of the fact that when people are gainfully employed in decent work either employed or self employed and earns a decent living, they have a stake and would do nothing to disturb peace that is why the governor focussed on industrialization to avail youths who are usually agents of the breach of peace, jobs.

Second, is the provision and access to capital. When people are provided with capital to invest and improve their income through investment, they are not only stakeholders but an instruments of empowering others. This discourages them from any violent venture. The provision of soft loans to traders, artisans and other citizens up to 2billion naira by Governor Udom has yielded positive gains in the attempts to instill peace in the state.

Third, is the accurate utilization of revenue and services. The collection of revenue and investment of it in critical infrastructures and services needed to boost the state economy and peace to flourish, increases systemic resilience to violence.

Fourth, is having the right kind of leader who leads by example. Widely known as a Christian with the fear of God, Governor Udom since assuming office has lead by example. He has zero tolerance for violence and is never desperate to hold on to political power. His appointees are very conscious of this and have followed his body language and set mark for themselves to avoid activities that would encouraged violence or breach of peace. The high point of various attempts to stabilize peace in Akwa Ibom state is the proscription of all cult groups in the state by Governor Udom Emmanuel. This helped a great deal to reduce violence which is a product of cult related activities.

All these effort of Governor Udom Emmanuel is not without gains. Just recently, in a well attended event, the Nigerian Union of Journalist, NUJ, Akwa Ibom state chapter honoured Governor Udom Emmanuel with the "Outstanding Peace Achievement" award - the first of its kind since the creation of Akwa Ibom state. The state has been named the most peaceful state in the Niger Delta and conducive for investors. That is why her Foreign Direct Investment, FDI, is one of the highest in the country since 2015. The simple equation is that there can be no investment in a place where peace is absent. The investment in Metering industry, Syringe factory, flour mill, cocoanut industry and others in the pipeline are the product of lasting peace in the state. These activities would lead to employment and the end product - prosperity.

As citizens move to elect their leaders in 2019 for another four years, the only option left to keeping Akwa Ibom in peace and prosperity is electing Governor Udom Emmanuel for a second term in office. And "this is none negotiable" said Mr. Dan Etukidem, a public affairs analyst.

Tom FredFish is a public affairs analyst

IF Udom was Buhari!

Tom FredFish

IF is a conjunction that is used when introducing a conditional clause, or a hypothetical situation among others. More often, it is used to express a wish, especially regret.

I attest to use the word IF to describe two Nigerian leaders and their leadership traits in the last three and half years in office. One is Mohammadu Buhari, Nigeria's president and candidate of the APC for the 2019 presidential election, while the other is Udom Emmanuel, Governor of Akwa Ibom state and PDP candidate for the 2019 Governorship election.

Howbeit, President Buhari since assuming office has consistently blamed past leaders for his dismal performance in office three and half years running, rather than take charge and responsibility. The Buhari administration has also preoccupied itself in blaming the nation’s economic woes on past regimes instead of taking practical steps to address the many issues at stake.

This is where Mr. Udom Emmanuel's leadership of Akwa Ibom state is distinct. Governor Udom has taken charge of running Akwa Ibom state without blaming any past administration or leaders.

Thus, IF Governor Udom was Buhari who on assuming office till date blames former President Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP at every point, will on assuming office in 2015 like Buhari, blame Senator Godswill Akpabio for the economic woes and debt profile of Akwa Ibom state from 2007-2015. He would insist that Akpabio misused, misapplied and misappropriate state funds that is why the state didn't do well economically before he assumed office in 2015.

IF Udom was Buhari, he would tell the world that Akwa Ibom under "Akpabio's PDP" was terrible and could not fend for her people because Senator Akpabio was used to giving Akwa Ibom people's money to party faithful in Port Harcourt, one million naira each to buy meat pie at Mr. Biggs for lunch.

IF Udom was Buhari, he would have blamed Senator Akpabio for the opinion of the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, that Akwa Ibom ranked high in the level of joblessness in the country because Senator Akpabio didn't fulfil the promise to build 31 industries even when it was incorporated in the budget.

IF Udom was Buhari, Senator Akpabio and some members of his family would have been probed for enriching themselves with state funds and plundering the economy of the state.

IF Udom was Buhari, he would have set up a commission of inquiry to look into the activities of Umana Umana, Nsima Ekere and other APC chieftains who held key positions in the state between 2007 to 2013 and they would have been indicted for corrupt practises, self enrichment and blacklisted from holding any public office in the state.

IF Udom was Buhari, the APC would not have been granted permission to use the Uyo township stadium for campaigns and rally as often and as frequently as they currently do.

IF Udom was Buhari, Nsima Ekere's Billboards will not have adorned streets in the state capital, Uyo and beyond as if he was a member of PDP.

IF Udom was Buhari, Akwa Ibom people would have been asking Senator Akpabio Serious questions about the Tropicana complex, the 31 industries promised and failed, the Uyo-Ikot Ekpene Highway, the "first and best" drainage system in Africa, the supposed construction of 12 kilometers 8 lanes ring road reduced to two lanes, the construction of Etebi-Ewang Road plus bridge in Mbo LGA and the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, Ikot Ekpene.

IF Udom was Buhari, Senator Akpabio will not enter Akwa Ibom state through the Victor Attah International Airport or pass through the VIP lounge because Buhari would want to show that he is in charge. IF Udom was Buhari, the APC would not be allowed to place advertorials on AKBC radio and television - a privilege APC is are enjoying in Akwa Ibom state today.

But Udom is not Buhari. Udom is a man of peace. Not deceitful. But sincere and honest. A gentleman and a democrat, who believes in the freedom of citizens as enshrined in the constitution of Nigeria.

That is one of the reasons Akwa Ibom people love Governor Udom because he is not and can never be seen in the shoes of those who have continually defiled our constitution and acted tyrannically.

Akwa Ibom deserves the best and in Governor Udom Emmanuel, they cleave.

Tom FredFish is a political scientist and public affairs analyst

BREAKING: Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly under seige again.

Five recently sacked former lawmakers have stormed the House of Assembly with heavily armed policemen and thugs. They have a mace and are set to impeach the speaker, suspend 21 members of the assembly and commence proceedings to impeach the Governor of the state.

Forty Takeaways from Governor Udom Emmanuel 2019 Budget of "Industrialization for Poverty Alleviation"

By Tom FredFish

On Wednesday, 14 November, 2018, Governor Udom Emmanuel presented the 2019 budget proposals to the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly tagged: "Industrialization for Poverty Alleviation" - focused on industrialization as a means to generate wealth creation for Akwa Ibom Citizenry. According to Governor Udom, apart from the fact that the budget will ensure the establishment of more industries in the state, the budget will also create wealth and ensure that Akwa Ibom people become self-reliant and employers of labour.

Here are forty takeaways from the 2019 budget as presented by Governor Udom:

1. The budget recognize that education plays a key role in the socio-economic development of any nation, state or society thus, the Udom administration intends to reposition the education sector to deliver qualitative, affordable, inclusive and functional education to the citizen from 2019.

2. The budget made provision for instructional materials such as textbooks, laboratory equipments/ fittings, chemical and reagents to ensure quality education in Akwa Ibom State.

3. The government in 2019 will place high emphasis on Science, technical and vocational education so as to produce graduates that would occupy positions in most of the industries being established by the government.

4. Government will continue to pay Bursary and award scholarships to deserving and exceptional students of Akwa Ibom state across the country.

5. The budget recognized that ICT and Science are the catalyst for economic growth, social development and job creations thus Governor Udom administration aims to build a strong and rich intellectual human capacity in Science and Technology for Akwa Ibom citizens without discrimination in gender or age.

6. Government intends to set up an ICT academy for the training of Civil servants in the State as well as the training of unemployed graduates on ICT under the Graduate Assistant Programme (GAP) in 2019.

7. Government also intends to pursue e-governance, establish Resources and Development Laboratory, Technology Workshop. Etc in 2019.

8. The 2019 budget recognized the importance of agriculture in the socio-political and industrial development of the state, hence government under Mr. Udom Emmanuel intends to continue investing in agriculture in order to alleviate poverty among the people, attain food security, and boost agricultural production for domestic, industrial and foreign consumption.

9. Government target in 2019 is to boost production and the marketing of cash crops, staple foods, livestock and fisheries through institutional and infrastructural empowerment of private, small, medium and large-scale crop and livestock farmers that will not only provide food to the populace, but also generate much needed jobs and create wealth for Akwa Ibom citizens.

10. In 2019, Government will continue to provide funding for agricultural activities such as Cassava Development Programme, Rice Development Project, Integrated Farmers’ Scheme (IFS), FADAMA III Plus Additional Financing, Raffia Palm Development Project, AKS Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (AK-RAAMP), Development of Marine Fisheries and Fish Farm Estate Project, Livestock Development Project, Horticulture, Vegetable and Cocoa Green House Project, Akwa Palm Hatchery Project, Veterinary Public Health and other activities of the Agricultural sector geared towards food sufficiency in the State.

11. The Governor Udom Emmanuel budget of Industrialization for Poverty Alleviation 2019 recognizes shelter as one of the three globally known necessities of life such that, his government has placed premium for the provision of safe decent and accessible low-cost housing to the citizens of the state by partnering with high level housing development experts through Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) to construct low and very low density houses and estates for the low and middle income group as well as a Unity Luxury Estate for the high income group.

12. The government will through the Land, Housing and Urban Development Ministries embarked on the completion of the Ibom International Airport, Ibom Tropicana Entertainment Centre, 4 Point by Sheraton, New Governor’s Lodge, Lagos, the International Worship Centre and construction of 21-storey building to provide office space for high target investors and multi-national companies.

13. In the 2019 budget, Government has prioritized attention on the State Secretariat (phase 3), which would house a number of MDAs that are still located in rented apartments and causing government to spend so much on payment of rents.

14. The government intends to construct residential quarters for legislators; relocate the Federal Prison and Police Barracks from Wellington Bassey Way; develop Ibom Airline; and renovate most government buildings, etc.

15. Government in 2019 will also continue in the beautification and creation of open spaces and developing them into active usable space for her citizens.

16. Government is to sustain the accelerated pace in the rural transformation drive in Akwa Ibom State by providing basic and economic infrastructure such as, electricity, potable and mini-water schemes, rural feeder roads, as well as farm roads and bridges.

17. In 2019, Government will continue the rehabilitation of existing feeder/farm roads, bridges and tarring of slippery hills to ease the transporting of foodstuff and other local products to available markets.

18. Government will also continue the process of electrification of rural communities as well as provision of portable water to reduce the incidence of water borne diseases.

19. The safeguarding and maintenance of a clean and sustainable environment for use by present and future generations has always been a major obligation of Governor Udom administration, therefore Government in 2019 will as a matter of urgency safeguard our environment, manage waste and put in place flood control measures in affected parts of the state.

20. In 2019, major interventions under the environment sector will focus on protection of the environment and ecological systems across the state by the construction of drainage facilities in Uyo capital city, with particular reference to the state secretariat and IBB Way; state-wide coastal/ gully Erosion Control; Erosion Control in primary and secondary schools; Flood Control project at use Offot, Nwaniba;

21. Government will in 2019 purchase waste management equipment and vigorously pursue Urban Refuse Disposal programme; forest regeneration; exploration of solid minerals, strengthening of weather and climate information systems in Akwa Ibom State.

22. Government recognizes the fact that Investment and commerce are major contributors to economic growth and development in the 2019 budget and it has put measures in place to encourage major conglomerates, core investors and professional service providers (banks/finance houses and servicing companies for major multi-nationals) to create regional/zonal offices and major production/distribution hubs in the State so as to mitigate capital flight, create jobs, and grow Akwa Ibom economy.

23. Government will provide funding for the following activities to consolidate on the gains achieved so far: design and development of Industrial Estates/Parks including the upgrading of facilities in Uyo phase 2 industrial park; organization of export awareness campaign/export forum in a bid to promote non-oil export to de-emphasize dependence on oil for foreign exchange: industrial promotion programmes in collaboration with relevant agencies and private investors to identify and establish at least 3 new industries by December, 2019: organization of business education and development programmes to encourage entrepreneurial development in the state; participation in both state, National and international trade fairs; promotion of MSME’s development programmes: encouragement of industrial research and inspectorate service to facilitate the development of enabling laws and legislation of industries.

24. Government recognizes culture as the mirror that reflects people’s actions and defines their outlook on life as well as it's ability to generated revenue. Therefore, Government intend to undertake the following programmes: Expansion work at Le Meridian Ibom 5-star Hotel and Golf Resort; Completion of a multi-million Naira Ibom Tropicana Entertainment centre with Cineplex, Galleria, Malls, Dry and Wet Park, Hotel and Convention Centre;

25. Government will sponsor the State Arts and Culture Troupe to National and International Arts and Culture festivals and also sponsor those of Children’s Cultural Troupe as well as develop the Ibom Unity Park in Udo Udoma, Uyo.

26. The Government of Mr. Udom Emmanuel considers healthcare to be the absolute right of every individual, and therefore aims at the reduction and possible eradication of morbidity and mortality from communicable and non-communicable diseases in 2019 through the continuous rehabilitation of health institutions and the provision of additional healthcare facilities and services in Akwa Ibom State.

27. The budget 2019 notes that government will continue to implement the policy on free medical treatment for children of five years and below, pregnant women and the elderly of 70 years and above to ensure effective health care delivery.

28. Government in 2019 has made provision for the smooth take-off of the Health Insurance Scheme, while the Primary Healthcare Development Agency has been established to ensure efficiency in Primary Healthcare delivery.

29. Government will continue to rehabilitate health facilities; procure and distribute equipment to health institutions; provide Medical Emergency Response Services; construct State Public Health Laboratory; complete the TB Laboratory in Ikot Ekpene; procure incinerators and a specialized truck for bio-medical waste.

30. Government will make provision for accreditation of courses in other Health institutions in the State; provision for immunization programme, HIV and malaria treatment; restructuring of Emergency Operation Centers in the State and others.

31. In 2019, Government will continue to engage in the construction and rehabilitation of roads and bridges; construction of landing jetties and waiting halls; rehabilitation of beaches and terminals to aid maritime transportation; construction of heavy duty vehicles/trailer parks; provision of modern and aesthetic bus-stops;

32. Government will establish a driving institute to regulate activities of driving schools in the State; link the State to the on-going Port Harcourt – Abuja light Rail; improve and maintain standard urban electricity supply as well as street and traffic lights along major roads and streets;

33. Government will provide fire prevention equipment and equip the state fire service, among others in 2019.

34. In order to ensure continued effective information dissemination of government programmes, policies and activities in a strategic manner government intends to provide information and communication infrastructure such as the construction of a modern broadcasting House for AKBC Radio/TV (Phase I); rehabilitation of the Government Printing Press and Pioneer Newspaper; overhaul and procurement of broadcasting equipment for the new AKBC TV Studio.

35. Government will work to establish Sports Academy and Sport Centres in the 10 federal Constituencies of the State; develop and maintain Sports Stadia across the State and pursue sports development through participation in national and International sporting activities and competitions.

36. Government will embark on programmes and activities targeting the youth, women, children, elderly, physically-challenged and other socially-disadvantaged persons will also be embarked on to achieve government’s mandate of economic and social inclusion.

37. The Udom administration will continue to support the legal framework to provide prompt and effective legal services to the Government and people of Akwa Ibom State through the provision of resources for execution of the review and reform of obsolete laws; production of Akwa Ibom State laws; prompt prosecution of criminal and civil cases, prompt and accurate drafting of relevant Bills, preparation of Memoranda of Understanding (MoU), Agreements, and other Legal documents for the State Government

38. Government will establish two Area Offices of Centre for Alternative Dispute Resolution (CADR) in Eket and Ikot Ekpene Senatorial Districts as well as construct and renovate judge’s and Magistrate’s Quarters and where none existed, construct a High Court Complex to accommodate High Courts, Magistrate Courts, Administrative Blocks, Health Centre and Recreational Grounds.

39. Government notes in budget 2019 that issue of Security in today’s world is of paramount importance to all citizens of the world and to investors everywhere. Though Akwa Ibom State has enjoyed an enviable position of peace and security, the government opined in the budget that peace and security must be maintained at all costs so that the State can remain a destination of choice for potential investors to come in and invest.

40. The Public Service is the engine room of every government. This is where policies and decisions are formulated that is why the Udom Emmanuel administration values very highly, the skills inherent in the work force of the State and will therefore continue to ensure prompt payment of salaries, pensions and gratuities of workers in the public services as well as provide recognition for high productivity. Consequently the Udom administration will continue to provide appropriate training and retraining within and outside Nigeria, in line with the administration's policy of human capacity development.

Tom FredFish is a public policy analyst.

COMPASSIONATE LEADER

See How Governor Udom Emmanuel Reinstated Lecturers Sacked 13 Years Ago

An age old Labour dispute involving four Chief Lecturers and two Princpal lecturers in Akwa Ibom State College of Education, Afaha Nsit has been resolved by the State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel. The governor who expressed shock and disbelief on what the lecturers must have gone through in 13 excruciating years without salaries directed that they should be reinstated, immediately.

It could be recalled that 4 Chief Lecturers- Mr. B. O. Essien, Mr. Fidelis Ekpo, Mr. Okon Inuenwi, Dr Mrs. Maria Eka and 2 Principal Lecturers - Mr. Akpabio Etokufot and Mr. Effiong Thompson were accused of allegedly being behind the students' unrest in the College sometimes in 2005 and were demoted and sent to Secondary schools to teach. Having exhausted all the internal disputes resolution mechanisms available in the Public Service, the lecturers decided to approach the court to seek redress.

A partial reprieve came the way of the lecturers in March 2016 when the former commissioner for Education, Hon. Aniekan Akpan attempted to reinstate them but was unsuccessful due to what officials attributed to not 'following due process'.

With the direct intervention of the His Excellency, the Governor, on compassionate grounds, the 13 years old suffering and humiliation of some of the best brains in the College have been put to rest.

The proclamation to reinstate the staff was greeted with wild jubilation by the leadership of the Joint Council of Unions operating in the College led by Comrade Ene Archibong who were in governor's office to meet with the Governor to find solutions to the lingering labour unrest in the College.

Reacting to the Governor's unparalleled sense of benevolence and compassion, the Head of the Civil Service, Mrs Ekerebong Akpan thank God for the gift of a compassionate leader in the mould of Governor Udom to Akwa Ibom State.

Also speaking, the Honorary Special Adviser to the Governor on Labour Matters, Comrade Unyime Usoro expressed joy that the matter which he in his capacity as the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress for 8 of the 13 years had battled unsuccessfully to achieve, was resolved in minutes by the Governor Udom Emmanuel in his characteristically humane nature thereby restoring hope to 6 families and their dependents who for 13 years were deprived of their means of livelihood.

The leadership of the Unions who apparently were dazed by the benevolence of the Governor promised to organise thanksgiving to thank God for the Divine intervention through the carrier of the Divine Mandate, Mr. Udom Emmanuel and vowed to continue to support the Governor to complete the infrastructural development and other good works the Governor has started in the College.

@BellRepoters

“Only God”

By Udeme Nana, PhD and Tom FredFish, PhD

The boisterous rantings, excessive compulsiveness, and overconfidence expressed by the leaders of the opposition in Akwa Ibom State against the prudent leadership of Mr. Udom Emmanuel of the People's Democratic Party, PDP, in the state can be equated to those of the Philistines against the Israelites in the Bible.

The Philistines had unsuccessfully tormented the Israelites for many years with their boasts against the "weak " Army of the Israelites. Those uncharitable epistles of the Bible have reflected today with the defection of Senator Godswill Akpabio to the APC and the confirmation of Obong Nsima Ekere as the APC gubernatorial candidate.

Compartmentalizing the episodes, the Bible recorded in 1st Samuel 17:1-53, that there was war in the land of Israel between the Israelites led by King Saul and the Philistines. The Commander of the Philistines was a giant named Goliath. He was big and strong and soldiers of Israel were afraid of him. Goliath shouted commanding the Israelites to choose a man to fight him. Goliath shouted to them every morning and every night for many days boasting of his strength (super high connections in Abuja) and fighting prowess. None of the Israelites would fight him but David, knew “Only God” would help him fight Goliath. True to his faith, with a fling of a small stone, "Only God" gave him a resounding victory over Goliath.

In another part, the story of Sampson and Delilah in Judge 1:1-31 is one that confirms the extraordinariness of one’s trust in “Only God.” Israel was under the rule and oppression of the Philistines. Samson, a Nazirite was born and set apart with supernatural strength from God to do His work in the nation of Israel. Samson had killed over 1,000 Philistines men and became a serious threat to the Philistine. So they plotted and captured Sampson through Delilah.
The Philistines brought Samson out before a great crowd of rulers and thousands of people gathered in the temple to celebrate his capture. They poured the most expensive champagne, danced "shoki" and mocked the God of Sampson. At the time the Philistines felt it was over for Sampson - chained between the biggest pillars in the history of the world. They celebrated Sampson’s end, but Sampson know it was not over, that “Only God” can bring vengeance to the people who defiled God's land. He prayed to God for strength to defeat the Philistines. Sampson prayed for might and pushed down the temple, God showed up with a corresponding strength that muzzled out thousands of wicked Philistines. With the defeat of the Philistinic (APC) elders, the Israelites (Akwa Ibom people) were freed from the satanic rule.

The story of Joseph in Genesis 37–50 is an account of God’s faithfulness to his promises to Abraham, his omnipotence (all-powerful), and his omniscience (all-knowing). Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery to be destroyed forever. But Joseph believed that Only God would allow their plans come to fruition. And God did not disappoint. He worked through their evil to accomplish good - the salvation of the entire nation of Abraham’s descendants.

Back to Nigeria, Akwa Ibom State in 2007. A young resolute man called Godswill Akpabio, then a Commissioner in the state was faced with an uphill task of becoming the flag bearer of the PDP contesting against 52 other prominent, influential, wealthy and connected aspirants. He was the least qualified, he had no support from the state government and not enough cash to buy delegates but clinged his hope on "Only God". After a tensed Primary, God showed up and he became the flag bearer of the PDP and consequently governor of Akwa Ibom State.

In the run up to Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio 2011 second term ambition, he made a decisive action that made the state marvel what prompted his actions - he dropped his loyal deputy governor Patrick Ekpotu, and nominated Nsima Ekere as his deputy Governorship candidate. A reporter was later to ask Mr. Ekere why he thinks Akpabio nominated him and Ekere reply was that, "Only God" made Akpabio to take the decision, and according to Mr. Ekere "Only God gives or takes power."

After the 2015 governorship election, the opposition candidate Obong Umana Umana, challenged the victory of Governor Udom in court. The Appeal Court
annulled some results and the opposition later went frenzy during the trial at the Supreme Court, they started celebrating their victory and sharing political positions. Umana Umana allegedly gave out all the Commissionership positions to friends and associates, then zoned the SSG slot, Head of Civil Service and Speakership of the House of Assembly but Governor Udom looked at them and smiled noting that “Only God” gives power - and truly God rose to the occasion, an overwhelming victory which he described as a “Supreme God” judgment, saw his mandate confirmed as the governor of Akwa Ibom State till date.

As the 2019 governorship election draw closer, there is an attempt to gang up, conspire and deprive Governor Udom re-election due to self-interest by few persons who just like Goliath, the Philistines in Sampson's case, Joseph's brothers and others who claims to have power (federal might), or could use state security apparatus and violence to intimidate and threaten peaceful voters in Akwa Ibom State. But they failed to realize that it is only God that gives power and he gives it to whoever he wishes.

“Only God means that if the Red Sea could open for Moses and the Israelites; the sun and moon stood still for Joshua; and the big fish accommodated and transported Jonah to Nineveh, no matter the evil plans of APC, Governor Udom will soar successfully beyond 2019.

For they will bring their might: Only God. Deploy violence as a tool: Only God. Attempt to hijack INEC, the Police and other security agencies: Only God. Rigging may be their slogan and manifesto: but Only God.

Thus, if the aforementioned people right from the days of creation, relied on "Only God" in all their endeavours and God did not fail them, then Governor Udom Emmanuel will be reelected by Akwa Ibom people in 2019, because Only God affirms that "one good term, deserves another".

Udeme Nana and Tom FredFish are Public Affairs Analysts

Industrialization! Like Dr. Mahathir, like Gov. Udom: Juxtaposing the Malaysian - Akwa Ibom Experience

Tom FredFish

```The thesis of this article submits that with the take-off of small and medium scale industries in Akwa Ibom state, Governor Udom Emmanuel may have started what played out in the Malaysian industrial revolution as instigated by Dr. Mahathir in 1981. Tom FredFish, a public affairs analysts writes that Governor Udom industrial policy is making Akwa Ibom state an emerging Industrial Hub in Nigeria.```

If the first transformation to an industrial economy from an agricultural one known as the Industrial Revolution which took place from the mid-18th to early 19th century in certain areas in Europe and North America starting in Great Britain, Germany and France had succeeded, there would have been no need for a second industrial revolution that came in the mid-19th century after the refinement of steam engines.

At the beginning, the processes of attaining industrialization were steeped in uncertainties but industrialization was birthed in many regions of the world by the end of the 20th century. By 2015, just three years ago, the BRICS states (Brazil, Russia, India, and South Africa) were undergoing the process of Industrialization in order to meet up the challenges of employment, improve the standard of living of her citizens and improve foreign direct investments.

Since independence in 1957 (three years before Nigeria became independent), Malaysia with a population of 26 million people continued to grapple with attempts at manufacturing. By 2005, preliminary data indicated that per capital GDP reached $4.930 and a ratio of manufactured goods in total export was 84%. This is because they applied a futuristic approach to guide their conduct – small means big with time.

The rise of Malaysia from being a third world nation to an Asian powerhouse economy did not come handy. Their successes are testament to the fact that industrial growth has always proven to be a time tested method for economy growth as policy orientation for its stabilization evolved in stages.

The first experiment at industrialization from 1957 to 1969 did not yield any fruit, while the 70s saw Malaysia adopting a laissez-fair attitude towards industrialization. However when Dr. Mahathir came to power in 1981, and under recessionary pressure of the early 80s, he commenced an aggressive industrial policy tagged “New Economy Policy” (NEP) which turned the country’s economic fortune to what it is today.

The periodization of Malaysia’s industrialization agenda points to the fact that long term investment and its benefits can only be reaped when a nation or state fully commits to industrialization like that of Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State. The “starting point of Akwa Ibom state industrial growth may be slow and disappointing to some people, just like what happened in Malaysia, but what lies ahead of the state, is a foundation laid on solid rock” says Adedoyin Olarewaju an entrepreneurial consultant based in Lagos.

The benefits accrued to Governor Udom industrialization policy are enormous and insurmountable. Firstly, it has led to employment generation. Industrialization encourages mass production of goods and mass production, requires the employment of capable hands to run the process which is why many Akwa Ibom sons and daughters have been engaged to work in the industries set up and attracted to the state by the Udom administration.

Secondly, the governor’s policy is improving the living standard and reducing poverty in the state. This is so because as employment is generated; the number of unemployed youths in Akwa Ibom is reducing, equally reducing the overall index of poverty in the country. More so, increased industrial output means that Akwa Ibom people now have variety of goods in the state to choose from at affordable prices, thereby improving their living standard.

Thirdly, the policy is improving balance of payment (BOP) and leading to economic growth. This is because industrialization leads to massive production of goods, some of which may not be for local consumption only like the syringe and meters. Consequently they are exported, which generates foreign exchange for the country, improves the country’s BOP and ultimately stimulate economic growth. In addition, it would lead to conservation of foreign exchange because funds that would have been used to import foreign goods such as syringes are reserved since the goods are made locally.

Governor Udom industrialization policy would stimulate other industrial sector. For instance the production of toothpick, plastic rubbers, pencil and pants in Akwa Ibom state requires raw material for its productions. This will result in the creation of a ready market for agricultural producers who would grow and supply raw materials for the production of these products.

Finally, the policy would help develop manpower since many youths would be engaged in the industries; many of them would need to be trained in different managerial and technical areas to acquire knowledge essential in managing the firms and machines invariably improving the knowledge base and expertize of Akwa Ibom people.

The attainment of industrialization status is the aim of any country seeking to develop in the world especially Nigeria, where unemployment is on the increase. For Akwa Ibom state to focus on establishing and attracting industries at a time when the APC led federal government of Nigeria are selling her assets to pay salaries, governor Udom has succeeded in placing Akwa Ibom State as Nigeria’s emerging industrial hub.

Thus, this opinion submits that state policy are drivers for infusing capital with industrialization and not party manifesto and that in as much as government is a continuum, industrial growth will reward citizens from generations to generations if properly propelled like that being implemented by Governor Udom Emmanuel to grow FDI, enhance competitiveness, improve productivity and promote small industries and related services in Akwa Ibom State.

Tom FredFish is a public affairs analyst.

A'Ibom Guber 2019: The Oracle Has Spoken

Tom FredFish

Call him an oracle, seer, or demigod, you are not far from the truth. As noted by Reuben Abati in his analysis of the great man theory, history often tilt it's politcal and cultural focus on an individual and this case, points to former president Olusegun Obasanjo – who is widely acknowledged for his role in Nigerian history to have returned power back to civilian rule.

Obasanjo as an oracle carries along with him, an extraordinary but inexplicable force which makes him the mouth piece of the gods (the people).

Thus "what is known is the important life that he has lived: Obasanjo, the soldier, Obasanjo, the farmer, Obasanjo, the leader, Obasanjo, the statesman, Obasanjo, the politician, Obasanjo, the author, Obasanjo, the entrepreneur. He probably does not need a Ph.D to validate or prove himself further, but here he is: Obasanjo the scholar. Everything Obasanjo touches, he wants to get to the root and height of it. He projects a competitive spirit that is complex and near-mystical. His refusal to slow down as an octogenarian contains significant lessons for the younger generation" say Abati in his article titled "Olusegun Obasanjo, PhD."

Last Sunday in Uyo, Obasanjo once again proved to be an oracle when he acknowledged the good deeds of Governor Udom Emmanuel in his visit to Akwa Ibom State.

Obasanjo who was full of praises for Governor Udom said that Nigeria needs more focus and committed leaders like Governor Emmanuel, hence Akwa Ibom people should vote for him massively come 2019.

Continuing further, Obasanjo said, "your Excellency, you are doing a wonderful work in Akwa Ibom and your people love you, when something is good, we have to keep it. I will come back and celebrate with you when the time comes", halting the opposition APC propaganda in the state that the governor is underperforming.

What is the significance of Obasanjo's comment about Udom? Analysts say that Obasanjo had established himself as a credible global voice, member of the Global Eminent Persons Group and a voice of reason in Africa, therefore his endorsement of governor Udom speaks volume of the governor's integrity because Obasanjo had moved from being a merely retired soldier who did well to an acclaimed man of integrity and knowledge. His search for and cultivation of knowledge after his retirement as a soldier stood him in extreme good stead making him one of the the legends of our time.

Thus, Obj as he is fondly called could be described as an oracle. According to Wikipedia an oracle is a person or agency considered to provide wise and insightful counsel or prophetic predictions or precognition of the future, inspired by the gods such as Udom victory predicted as by Obj.

Obasanjo did not only prophesize governor Udom victory, he spoke the minds of Akwa Ibom people who have reemphasized for the umpteenth time that the 2019 governorship election is a done deal for Governor Udom Emmanuel.

The vehicle below is less than seven months old, destroyed and parked in the bush by people who stand with Buhari. That is the exact way their principal president Buhari is running our economy to the pits.

Help is on the way!

Recruitment Into Civil Service, Ors: Akwa Ibom Youths Commend Gov Udom

By Tom FredFish

Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom state has again scored another highpoint in creating employment opportunities and empowering Akwa Ibom people with the ongoing recruitment exercise of hundreds of people into the state civil service.

A cardinal point of Udom administration is job creation. Others are: poverty alleviation, wealth creation, economic and political inclusion and infrastructural consolidation and expansion.

Governor Udom has therefore left no stone unturned in the last three and half years to ensure that Akwa Ibom youths are gainfully employed and empowered to rise to the cradle of greatness thus with the ongoing recruitment, the youths in unison says he has done more than enough to deserve an automatic second term.

This is an undisputable evidence on ground as recorded by TCM. According to a youth leader in Nung Uduo Itak, in Ikono local government area who introduced himself as Ebong to TCM, "no governor has created job opportunities in the state since its creation than Governor Udom Emmanuel." He noted that since Governor Udom assumed office in 2015, he has offered Akwa Ibom people the opportunity to excel in the state through various recruitment and training programmes.

For Iboro Adaisi, a resident of Uyo and public affairs commentator, Governor Udom has shown that he is a man of his words and of good intentions for Akwa Ibom youths. He observed that there are more job opportunities in Akwa Ibom state presently than anywhere else in the country.

"Apart from the number of Akwa Ibom youths who have been gainfully employed in various industries under this administration, Governor Udom without taking cognizance of the overhead cost employed hundreds of teaching and non teaching staff at the Akwa Ibom University, AKSU in 2016; the State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua, in 2017 the College of Education, Afaha Nsit, 2018 and secondary and primary school teachers have been engaged; do we need Jesus Christ to come down to earth and tell our people that this governor has performed incredibly well in terms of job creation", he asked rhytorically?

Noah Udo, an indigene of Ikot Akpan Essien, Oruk Anam local government area could not hold back tears when he attempted to speak with TCM. After getting control of himself, he described governor Udom as "godsent and a savour of man on earth". He adumbrated that upon graduation in 2012, he had searched for gainful employment to no avail and that during the last administration of Senator Godswill Akpabio, he could not secure a job because he did not know anybody in "high places" but he is very glad to have secured a job in Udom administration without any connection whatsoever.

"When I heard on radio that the construction of a metering company was going on in Onna, Akwa Ibom state, I decided to apply for a job there. To be honest, I applied to fulfill all righteousness because I did not know anyone and I was not sure of being employed but I was surprised when I got a call for an interview. It sounded like a dream but I can tell you that I was among the first set of people who were flown out of the country for training. As I speak, I am a staff of the metering company, my life and fortune has changed and I am now the bread winner of my extended family. You can see why I broke down in tears earlier on, God bless Governor Udom Emmanuel, I cannot repay him in anyway but as for me and my family, our votes are intact for him come 2019", he concluded with tears rolling down from his eyes.

If you think that Noah Udo story is touching, then listen to Idara Akpan (real name withheld), who was a sex worker at the popular Ewet housing entrance nicknamed after Maitama, a street in the nation's capital, Abuja.

Hear her: "My brothers, what the Lord has done for me using Governor Udom, I cannot say it all in one day. I use to work at Maitama (if you know what I mean) for seven good years. I tried several times to leave that treacherous job, but could not secure a decent job because I have no connections to be gainfully employed. Most times I try to apply in hotels where my client take me to but the managers want referee's physical presence and I don't have anyone that could vouch for me. But one day, as l stood at my normal point, a client droveby and asked me to meet him at the front, as I got there, stood outside his car to negotiate, I saw a building where they wrote 'Bureau for Technical Matters and Due Process'. I went there the next day to drop my application. To cut my long story short. I was called for an interview without knowing anyone, I am now working at the Syringe Industry to God be the glory. I left that Maitama job for good and I am now a decent woman. I bless Governor Udom for creating this opportunity that has turned my life around. Because of Governor Udom I have registered and gotten my PVC to vote for the first time in my life inorder to reciprocate the goodness done to me by voting him back to office. If he go back for a second term, I believe he would do to others what he has done for me. God bless Governor Udom", she concluded with an emotion ladened voice.

With the testimonies and commendations by Akwa Ibom youths, there is no doubt that governor Udom has scored a great feat when evaluating one of his 5-agenda - job creation.

The "essence of government lies in Governor Udom application of the utilitarilism model which posit that the morally best action is the one that makes the most overall happiness of the people, thus Governor Udom is fufiling the happiness of a greater number of citizenry", says Claire George a public affairs commentator.

We are Solidly Behind Gov Udom - College of Aides

Tom FredFish, Uyo, 12th October 2018

The College of Aides to Governor Udom Emmanuel have condemned in strong terms attempt by fair weather politicians to misinform the public and cast aspersion on the Governor of Akwa Ibom state, Mr. Udom Emmanuel.

Speaking on behalf of the college, Engr. Ufot Ebong who is the Dean adviced the public from giving attention to people whose integrity cannot pass through the simplest moral scrutiny, noting that Barr. Mfon Udeme is a "very jaundiced and disturbed" man living in a dreamland.

The is in response to a statement credited to one Barr. Mfong Udeme, who in a report published by ThisDay Newspaper said that about 200 aides of Governor Udom Emmanuel were warming up to resign from his administration.

Engr. Ebong said: "such a statement must have come from a very jaundiced and disturbed mind, living in a dreamland with wishful thinking. The Atiku tsunami has caused the opposition to grab at any straw to survive so as the Dean of the college, I won't dignify such trash with a response, instead I will allow it to be consigned to the dustbin of the warped mind that wrote it."

One could have been satisfied with what Engr. Ebong said since he heads the College of Aides, however other aides of the governor did not spare Barr. Udeme who they described as a failed politician who wants to survive by all means.

This line of thought is driving by Mr. Ndueso Essien, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, who noted: "few of my colleagues who were not favoured by the zoning arrangements in their localities and some who could not get any assurances of imposition went to APC, because they wanted to stand election at all cost."

Continuing further he stressed that "I learnt most of them have not been able to secure the tickets and to make themselves relevant, they were induced to attack the government they once served."

"Yes, I have been approached and threatened, and most of my colleagues have been approached, but we insist that we cannot be party to any attempt to lead our state backwards to the ugly past we once dreaded", he concluded.

On his part Mr. James Abang, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Project slammed the Akwa Ibom State APC for being mischievous and acting undemocratic.

He said: "APC is drowning at an alarming speed. This started last Sunday after the emergence of the people's Atikulator. You know when you are drowning, you don't have the liberty to say 'I would be incredibly pleased if someone would have the foresight to notice me drowning and come and help me; no, you just scream anyhow for help, and hold on to anything. That is what APC is doing now. They are just screaming."

"First, that their members are being attacked by ghost gunmen. Next, that 200 or is it 2000 governor's aides are resigning. There is no need for anyone to worry himself. Which aide will leave a winning team for a drowning one, he asked rhetorically?

For Anefiok Mauculey who is serving as the governor's Special Assistant on Media, he noted that: "I think Mfon Udeme is leaving in utopia. The other aides who wanted to go like Udeme have gone. Those of us remaining are committed and solidly behind the second term bid of his Excellency Udom Emmanuel. Those who left in the past did so for selfish reasons. In Udom Emmanuel we have seen a man with integrity, a man of peace, a selfless leader who goes out of his way to do so much for the betterment of the common people."

"Will the so called aides quit because they don't get salaries at when due? Or will they quit because the governor has not performed? The simple answer is No. So on what yardstick or basis will they quit?"

"I think Mr. Udeme was only engaging in hasty generalisation to please his new pay master. Unfortunately there are no art to read the mind construction on the face otherwise people who lacks integrity and gratitude shouldn't have been appointed in the first place. Since he resigned about two weeks ago he has been spewing lies and insult not only on the person of the governor but the office of the governor where his postmaster is desperately seeking to occupy. As far as am concerned, my former colleague may have said what he said because he had nothing to say. He is alone on his selfish journey to perfidy and the said 200 aides are only in his fantasy world."

What remains clear is the goodwill, strong support and unflinching commitment enjoyed by the governor who is confident that his aides are committed to his administration beyond 2019.

We are Solidly Behind Gov Udom - College of Aides

Tom FredFish, Uyo, 12th October 2018

The College of Aides to Governor Udom Emmanuel have condemned in strong terms attempt by fair weather politicians to misinform the public and cast aspersion on the Governor of Akwa Ibom state, Mr. Udom Emmanuel.

Speaking on behalf of the college, Engr. Ufot Ebong who is the Dean adviced the public from giving attention to people whose integrity cannot pass through the simplest moral scrutiny, noting that Barr. Mfon Udeme is a "very jaundiced and disturbed" man living in a dreamland.

The is in response to a statement credited to one Barr. Mfong Udeme, who in a report published by ThisDay Newspaper said that about 200 aides of Governor Udom Emmanuel were warming up to resign from his administration.

Engr. Ebong said: "such a statement must have come from a very jaundiced and disturbed mind, living in a dreamland with wishful thinking. The Atiku tsunami has caused the opposition to grab at any straw to survive so as the Dean of the college, I won't dignify such trash with a response, instead I will allow it to be consigned to the dustbin of the warped mind that wrote it."

One could have been satisfied with what Engr. Ebong said since he heads the College of Aides, however other aides of the governor did not spare Barr. Udeme who they described as a failed politician who wants to survive by all means.

This line of thought is driving by Mr. Ndueso Essien, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, who noted: "few of my colleagues who were not favoured by the zoning arrangements in their localities and some who could not get any assurances of imposition went to APC, because they wanted to stand election at all cost."

Continuing further he stressed that "I learnt most of them have not been able to secure the tickets and to make themselves relevant, they were induced to attack the government they once served."

"Yes, I have been approached and threatened, and most of my colleagues have been approached, but we insist that we cannot be party to any attempt to lead our state backwards to the ugly past we once dreaded", he concluded.

On his part Mr. James Abang, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Project slammed the Akwa Ibom State APC for being mischievous and acting undemocratic.

He said: "APC is drowning at an alarming speed. This started last Sunday after the emergence of the people's Atikulator. You know when you are drowning, you don't have the liberty to say 'I would be incredibly pleased if someone would have the foresight to notice me drowning and come and help me; no, you just scream anyhow for help, and hold on to anything. That is what APC is doing now. They are just screaming."

"First, that their members are being attacked by ghost gunmen. Next, that 200 or is it 2000 governor's aides are resigning. There is no need for anyone to worry himself. Which aide will leave a winning team for a drowning one, he asked rhetorically?

For Anefiok Mauculey who is serving as the governor's Special Assistant on Media, he noted that: "I think Mfon Udeme is leaving in utopia. The other aides who wanted to go like Udeme have gone. Those of us remaining are committed and solidly behind the second term bid of his Excellency Udom Emmanuel. Those who left in the past did so for selfish reasons. In Udom Emmanuel we have seen a man with integrity, a man of peace, a selfless leader who goes out of his way to do so much for the betterment of the common people."

"Will the so called aides quit because they don't get salaries at when due? Or will they quit because the governor has not performed? The simple answer is No. So on what yardstick or basis will they quit?"

"I think Mr. Udeme was only engaging in hasty generalisation to please his new pay master. Unfortunately there are no art to read the mind construction on the face otherwise people who lacks integrity and gratitude shouldn't have been appointed in the first place. Since he resigned about two weeks ago he has been spewing lies and insult not only on the person of the governor but the office of the governor where his postmaster is desperately seeking to occupy. As far as am concerned, my former colleague may have said what he said because he had nothing to say. He is alone on his selfish journey to perfidy and the said 200 aides are only in his fantasy world."

What remains clear is the goodwill, strong support and unflinching commitment enjoyed by the governor who is confident that his aides are committed to his administration beyond 2019.

Breaking!

Atiku Abubakar wins with 1599 votes

1. H.E Atiku Abubakar - 1,599= 1st

2. Aminu Tambawa - 693= 2nd

3. Bukola Saraki - 317= 3rd.

Atiku Abubakar is the PDP presidential candidate for the 2019 election

#PDPwins

Breaking!

Top three winners of the PDP presidential primary

1. H.E Atiku Abubakar - 1st

2. Aminu Tambawa - 2nd

3. Bukola Saraki - 3rd.

Atiku Abubakar is the PDP presidential candidate for the 2019 election

#PDPwins

Breaking!

Top three winners of the PDP presidential primary

1. H.E Atiku Abubakar - 1st

2. Aminu Tambawa - 2nd

3. Bukola Saraki - 3rd.

Atiku Abubakar is the PDP presidential candidate for the 2019 election

#PDPwins

PDP Primaries: Candidates Pour Encomiums on Gov. Udom

By Tom FredFish

Two, of the many vital roles of political parties in a democracy are the nomination, presentation of candidates and the provision of a fair and peaceful competition among parties and candidates.

In 1912, a disagreement among the Republicans produced a splinter group called the progressive, or "Bull Moose" party. That internal wrangling resulting from party nomination helped the Democratic candidate, Woodrow Wilson, to win the election.

When the nomination process of a political party go sour, it can derail the chances of the political party. Thus commentators have commended the Akwa Ibom State PDP for rounded up it's primaries to elect candidates for the 2019 general elections successfully without any skirmish, rancour or imposition of candidates.

Thus PDP candidates who contested the 2019 primaries have continued to poured encomiums on Governor Udom Emmanuel and the State PDP for providing a level playing ground and conducting a free and fair election in the state.

In his victory message of appreciation to the people, Hon. (Elder) Aniekan Umanah, who won the Abak Federal Constituency ticket of the party thanked God for his victory and extended gratitude to Governor Udom for providing a level playing ground when he said: "May I specially thank His Excellency, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State and leader of our party, Mr. Udom Emmanuel and his dear wife, His Excellency Deaconess Martha Udom Emmanuel for providing a level playing field for the successful conduct of the party primaries."

Also not left out is Hon. David Lawrence, PDP candidate for Eket State Constituency. In a message titled "when thank you is not enough" signed by his Media Office, Hon. Lawrence said "My heartfelt appreciation also go to the Leader of our great party, Governor Udom Emmanuel, who had hitherto assured everyone of a level playing ground, and I make bold to say that we will continue to work for the divine mandate project of His Excellency, and collectively see to his return for a second term in 2019."

In a message of appreciation attributing his victory to Jesus, Hon. Anietie Eka, who won the Uyo State constituency ticket blessed Governor Udom for his fatherly disposition towards all aspirants when he noted that: "My immeasurable gratitude goes out to the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel for providing a level playing ground for all of us who aspired to fly the party's flag for Uyo State Constituency. His peaceful approach and fatherly disposition to all aspirants in the primaries is first of its kind. I pray God to continue to keep him for the sake of a peaceful Akwa Ibom State till 2023."

While Hon. Unyime Idems, the CEO of Idems Ultimate who won the Ukanafun / Oruk Anam Federal Constituency ticket of the PDP in his message titled: "No Victor, no vanquished" deposited that: "Let me thank His Excellency, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, for his support to all aspirants and the level playing field provided for us to compete."

The testimonies of these candidates through their messages to the people attest to the fact that Governor Udom Emmanuel is a democrat who understands the need for free and fair elections that the people should be given the free hand to elect their representatives as free as possible without intimidation or threat from any quarters.

Governor Udom has shown that as a democrats, the tenets of inter party democracy which involves adhering to the procedures laid down by Nigeria's constitution and electoral laws have to be followed to ensure that legitimacy is conferred on candidates who represents the people which is what the PDP has stood for over the years.

Governor Udom has done well and this feat should be emulated by other political parties to give Nigeria's democracy the needed pillars to flourish.

Tom FredFish is a public affairs analyst.

Dear PDP Delegates,

Today, the choice of who becomes the candidate of our great party, the PDP, will be yours to make. We are all in the know that, when a vote is cast, it is a vote for the future, a vote of hope, a vote of ambition. We urge voters to be patriotic and think very carefully. Is our vote really going to change anything for the better? Should we not ARISE and be brave? Should we not seek something better that we deserve so much?

Obviously, the good people of Eket Federal Constituency, a region so blessed with human and natural resources, are serious about eliminating poverty, about education which is the bedrock of development, about equality of opportunity, about healthy living and working, about protecting our planet from environmental hazards that is damaging our properties and degrading our population growth.

Therefore, it is imperative to vote for a principled man, with moral clarity and a great personality of peace, who believes in service to humanity as a panacea to mankinds' problems which in turn, will ensure sustainable peace and development.

That man is Iwaad (Dr.) Godwin Umontuen!

He's a man that understands his people, know their problems; their idiosyncracies and how to proffer solution. And he has the burning desire to return Eket Federal Constituency to where it should be. This cannot be achieved alone. It's a collective thing. Therefore, your support and contributions matter a lot. We are together in this, and together we shall RISE again!

Truth be told, we all want and do deserve a better future, not just for ourselves, but for our unborn children. Therefore, we must ARISE and do something extraordinary. Vote Iwaad (Dr.) Godwin Umontuen as Member, Representing Eket Federal Constituency 2019.

Arise! oh Eket Federal Constituency!


#God_Bless_UdomEmmanuel!
#God_bless_GodwinUmontuen!
#God_Bless_EketFedConstituency!
#God_Bless_AkwaIbomState!
#God_Bless_ThePDP&Nigeria!

#TeamArise2019

The APC Brouhaha and the needless "Sunday Baptism of Blood"

By Tom FredFish

The opposition All Progressive Congress, APC, held their gubernatorial primaries last Sunday 30th, September 2018.

Reports monitored from various sources had it that the primaries were marred with internal wrangling, intimidation, ballot box snatching / highjacking, violence and was far from being free and fair which is their stock in trade.

According to an unverified eye witness account, two prominent leaders of the party, one, a Senator and former Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, John Akpan Udoedeghe and the other, a Senator and current Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly matters, Ita Enang, were seen exchanging jabs while some other accounts has it that, they further used tooth freely on each other.

However, the Punch reported that "Udoedeghe, an aspirant, accused Enang of conniving with Senator Godswill Akpabio and the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Nsima Ekere, to hijack materials meant for distribution to the wards and instead presented fake materials."

The actions of these men who seek to assume leadership positions in Akwa Ibom State is condemnable and a bad example. For the calibre of these men to display such juvenility in public shows the quality and stuff they are made of.

The killing of more than three youths: Ukeme Efanga from Uruan, Emmanuel Asuqwo from Etim Ekpo and the third who is yet to be properly identified, during the party primaries is a rehearsal to the prediction that the 2019 governorship election will be a "bloody war".

Recall recently, at a reception held in Honour of Obong Nsima Ekere at the Ikot Ekpene Township Stadium, few weeks ago, the APC leaders gave Nsima what they referred to as "symbolic guns" of strength, which many concerned Akwa Ibom people condemned because it indirectly encourages violence, while several reports quoted Senator Godswill Akpabio as saying that the 2019 elections in the state will be a bloodbath.

The signs and drumbeat of war was what manifested on Sunday like a rehearsal of what is to come in 2019. As observed by an enthusiastic supporter of the APC (name withheld) who wrote on his facebook page, "I abhor violence in any form and I condemn what transpired during our party primaries on Sunday which is the result of the drums of war by our party leaders especially the issuance of the so called symbolic guns to Nsima Ekere and the "Warsaw" comment by Godswill Akpabio. It is difficult to contend with why innocent youths would lose their lives in an ordinary party primaries, then who knows how many lives would be lost in the main election in March next year", he concluded.

Though, the Akwa Ibom State APC and Nsima Ekere have condemned the death of Akwa Ibom sons, there are still many questions that shows insincerity in their statements.

In separate press statements issued last night and this morning respectively, the State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Nkereuwem Enyongekere said: "we sincerely regret this loss of life. Our hearts and prayers are with the family of our departed colleague." while Utibe Ukim, SA, Communication to Nsima noted that: politics is and should remain a contest of ideas and programmes rather than physical combat, a show of brute force and deadly attacks...our sympathies and condolences will never be adequate to assuage for the losses that his family and loved ones will bear forever."

Social commentators have condemned both speeches "as medicine after death". They opined that the party and aspirants ought to have issued a statement warning and discouraging their members against violence in any form and not to issue statements after deaths have been recorded and the contest won and lost.

In all, the opinion of the generality of Akwa Ibom people is that the violence and deaths of those young productive Akwa youths who Governor Udom is working assiduously through his industrialization policy to gainfully employ is needless.

The struggle for political power by APC leaders must be seen to pass through genuine democratic process and not a means to an end, "Only God" gives power through the people. You do not kill these people; you only empower them with jobs to elect you through the ballot box.

This is where the APC failed critically in their needless "Sunday baptism of blood."

FredFish is a public affairs analyst.

Gov Udom Verifiable Projects and the Hypocrisy of Blood-Monied Critics

By Tom FredFish

There is definitely something about blood money. Defined as money obtained at the cost of another person's life. It can thus be articulated in many folds. One, blood money can be money gotten from the usage of someone for rituals. Two, money paid by a killer or a killer's clan to the family of a person who has been killed as restitute. Three, money paid to damage/ kill another person's reputation for parochial reasons. In all these, the perpetrators end up regretting their actions.

In a movie "Blood Money" directed and written by Chico Ejiro in 1997, a man lost his bank job and was drawn into the world of rituals and the only way he felt he could make it in life was by taking the life of another, the wealth came but not without repercussions.

One of Nigeria's oldest movie "Living in Bondage" whose popularity after it’s release opened up Nollywood to the world, saw Andy Okeke (Kenneth Okonkwo) kill his wife for rituals to become wealthy and most certainly, this came with repercussions, leading to his madness.

There is precedence for the above scenarios in the Bible. As some will recall that Judas Iscariot immediately after his betrayal of Jesus Christ, regretted his action, returned the 'blood money' he collected and committed suicide.

At the 2015 presidential election where Goodluck Jonathan was said to have been routed out of office, there are unsubstantial reports that the APC paid millions of dollars to activists and media practitioners who worked against Jonathan. Many of them have regretted that actions - Dino Melaye, Dele Momodu, Omoleye Sowore and many other journalists / agencies were "hired" (involved in blood money) to ditch out black propaganda that sent Jonathan packing.

Today, there is a resurgence of blood money critiques especially in Akwa Ibom State masking the critics of the Udom administration to the aphrodisiac "the more you look, the less you see" aphorism. These have led many overnight activists, journalists, media consultants to turn blind eyes on the many verifiable projects of Governor Emmanuel.

The blood money they collected can never make them see anything good in Udom administration. They are blind to the fact that Akwa Ibom State now houses two world class factories - the Electric Digital Metering Solution Factory and the Syringe Manufacturing Factory which happens to be the largest in Africa. They are blind to see or read; and deaf to listen to news items on the resuscitation of the peacock paint industry, pencil and toothpick factory, fertilizer blending factory, the plastic manufacturing factory which is almost at completion stage, the workings at the Ibom deep seaport and Industrial park, as well as the flour mill and coconut refinery factory.

Because they are deep into blood money, they will not know that 20,000 Akwa Ibom youths have been trained in various skills, or that the sum of 2billion naira interest free loans has been given to small scale entrepreneurs and traders in the state. They are also blind to notice a substantial difference on the roads they ply to their villages that over 1700 km of roads and 35 bridges have been newly constructed by the Udom administration.

Because these people are professional blood money critics, they will never notice that there are no more flood at the Nsikak Eduok also known as 2lane road, Uyo, neither will they believe that there has been an upgrade at the airport main runway to category 2 as well as the construction of the 2nd airport runway.

Who will open the eyes of these blood-monied critics to see that there have been construction and upgrading of secondary health facilities across the state. How do we convince people involved in blood money journalism that the state acquired over 25 containers of state of the art medical equipment and that over 4,000 malnourished children have been given relief with free screening and treatment for over 15,000 people for various eye diseases?

Who will tutor these children of the Biblical "Doubting Thomas" that Akwa Ibom youths are now fully involved in agriculture courtesy of the agricultural policy of the Udom administration where about 450 youths have been trained on cocoa maintenance, oil Palm and cocoa seedlings and engaged in vegetable green houses and in Akwa Prime Hatchery.

Do we need Jesus Christ to anoint these blood money critics before they realize that Udom administration sustained the free and compulsory basic education in public schools irrespective of the recession experienced by Nigeria after the entrance of the APC? How do we convince the hypocritical blood money critics that Udom administration has constructed and renovated about 208 school blocks, procured and distributed free textbooks and educational materials, regularly pay subventions to public primary and secondary schools, settle WAEC fees for indigenes in public secondary schools every year, and has strategically intervened in the infrastructural development of tertiary institutions in Akwa Ibom State?

How do we explain all these lofty projects of the Udom administration to the blood money critics who see nothing positive but negative about their state which they are bound to contribute to its developments?

Following precedence of perpetuators of blood money, no one can convince them until they meet their Waterloo. No one can forcefully open the eyes of people who have made up their minds to do evil. Darkness has never overshadowed light, not yesterday, not today and not tomorrow. Udom projects are surmounting in all nook and cranny of the state for those who have eyes to see and these projects are what observers believe would earn him a second term.

Whether critics see his many verifiable projects or not, one things is certain, no one indulges in blood money without repercussion. We don't wish them bad but can only pray for them to have long life and see how Udom will be sworn in for a second time come May 29, 2019.

_Tom FredFish is a public affairs analyst_

Udom Emmanuel: Balancing Disequilibrium in Nigeria’s Education Demand and Supply

By Tom FredFish

Nigeria was among the 189 countries of the world who in year 2000 endorsed the Millennium Development Goal 2, to “attain universal primary education in all countries by 2015”.

Though, more than half of the countries that endorsed the document did not meet the target year 2015 about three years ago, however, the declaration activated a consciousness in the world that extending educational opportunities to both sexes everywhere is an economic strategy of loosening the individual from the grip of economic stagnation and backwardness and that education is a veritable instrument for national development. Conscious of that, most countries of the world still grapple with the changing realities of their educational system.

In Nigeria for instance, there is strong evidence of a crisis at all levels in the education sector from primary education through secondary to tertiary education - leading to a growing concern by stakeholders who have expressed grave concern about the dwindling quality of Nigerian educational system and how it is affecting the economic and security fortunes of the country.

These concern has led leaders to call for the declaration of a “state of emergency” in the education sector, lamenting the installment decline and decay in the education sector, while some have affirmed that 70 per cent of Nigeria’s university graduates are unemployable because of their poor quality.

The trouble with Nigeria derives from the quality of her people while the quality of her people derives from the quality of their education. This is to say that the near-complete political, economic and moral collapse of the country is partly due to the low quality of the educational system. It is the consequence of these failures in the educational system in about 58 years of Nigeria’s existence, that has led to Nigeria’s inability to produce men and women who can conveniently plan and run her economy and politics honestly and efficiently.

The unpatriotic nature of Nigerians is the bane of her development but can be reawakened and made to work by a conscious effort of sound quality education. It is therefore apt to say that while the federal government is experimenting on the system that best fit the current realities on ground, some states in Nigeria have moved ahead to face the daunting challenges of disequilibrium.

One state which happens to place education as her priority is Akwa Ibom State, led by Mr. Udom Emmanuel. He has no reservation about the power of education because his actions since assumption of office has put to question whether education is or could be the most powerful weapon for coping with the crisis of the Nigerian politics and if the right kind of education can produce the right kind of leaders to cope with Nigeria’s multifaceted problems.

To ensure that these questions are answered, and that education assist in addressing the income inequalities and wealth creation, governor Udom Emmanuel made education his main concern by repositioning all the state owned tertiary institutions.
Taking cognizant of the importance of quality manpower in education, Udom approved the recruitment of quality teaching and none teaching staff at the Akwa Ibom State University, Mkpat Enin; the State Polytechnic at Ikot Osurua and the College of Education at Afaha Nsit.

Not done, he intervened further by financing the development of infrastructures and boosting the consultancy service of the State University - commissioning seven major projects at the Obio Akpa Campus of Akwa Ibom State University during their first and second convocation exercise in 2017. The projects include the Digital Language Library, Commercial Farm, Palm Oil Mill, Commercial Farm Feeds Mill, Vegetable Screen House, Ultra-Modern Mass Communication Studios, Standard Performance Arts Theatre, Administrative Block and recently the construction of internal roads in the obio akpa campus.
He has also commenced massive renovation of classrooms and departmental blocks at the Akwa Ibom State University and the State college of Education, Afaha Nisit, in Nsit Ibom local government area of Akwa Ibom State.

In the same vein, the Udom Emmanuel led government has made commitments to ensure that the free and compulsory education programme of every school age resident in the state is sustained by making huge investment in that regard. In addition to free tuition the governor also pays a subvention of N100 per primary school pupil and N300 per secondary school students per term to cater for logistics. This effort has led to an astronomical increase of students’ enrolment to close to one million five hundred thousand students in public schools - tripled since the introduction of the programme.

To ensure that final year secondary school students are not constrained by lack of finance to enroll for external examinations, the Akwa Ibom state government undertakes the payment of WASSCE fees for all students in public secondary schools as well as NABTEB fees for all students in public technical colleges.

Aware that educational facility are the key to quality education, the Udom administration is undertaking massive rehabilitation and reconstruction of school blocks through the Inter-Ministerial Direct Labour Scheme with more than 200 primary and secondary school blocks affected and covering the three senatorial districts.

Furthermore, Udom administration provided science and laboratory equipment, constructed hostels, supplied desk and benches to schools in the 31 local government of Akwa Ibom State; and has also set up ICT laboratories in some public and private schools and ensured the training of principals and teachers on the new educational curriculum teaching methods.

The Udom government further dialogued with all unions in the state tertiary institutions to stem labour unrest by signing a Memorandum of Understanding, (MOU) with Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) mandated to promote widespread availability and usage of telecommunication and ICT services in the state including promotions, conversions and confirmation for deserving teaching and non-teaching staff.

Nothing more can best describe governor Udom incursions on education than legendary and unless other states in Nigeria emulate Akwa Ibom to radically re-order our educational priorities and policies, our democracy can neither survive or would Nigeria be able to participate in any global political economy of the twenty first century. But for Akwa Ibom State, a process has begun, that is why there is a popular demand for him to return back as governor in 2019.


Tom FredFish, is a public affairs analyst

Reminiscing What Governor Udom Emmanuel Told Me January, 2018

By Tom FredFish

We had twelve bottles of red wine on the shade-covered table. No soft drink. But enough “animals” to chew. Just four of us. Ekamba, Samuel, Vincent and myself. I don’t belong the wine category. But mixing wine with Coca-Cola was “bae” on such day – a new year. It was customary for me share bottles of "understanding" with friends every first January.

This year’s new year looked dull (you may want to guess the reasons) but I conquered the temptation not to share drinks, food and reminisce with friends. Ekamba, my pal, was the host while Barrister Samuel, my lawyer seated glued waiting for the goat meat pepper soup still steaming hot. Vincent, an ex-course mate at the University of Calabar was lost in thought on how to take red wine for the first time in his life.

As we almost downed the ninth bottle, my phone rang. Reluctantly I picked. At the other end of the call was a straight, soft and Christ-like voice: “Tom, happy new year, how are you?” I didn’t take particular interest in the voice because of my wined condition, so I replied “same to you and how can I help you?”

“This is your governor, Udom Emmanuel. I specially called to thank you on this day for your support to my administration and to share some thoughts with you” the voice said.

Startled and enthused, I adjusted my seat, sat properly as if the governor was in my front. My wine-soaked baritone voice replied, “Your Excellency, I am grateful for this call sir, myself, and millions of Akwa Ibom people believe in you and we are proud to know that you are working in the right direction to secure the future of Akwa Ibom people and better their lives”.

“Thank you and that brings me to a point - the first issue is release by the NBS that Akwa Ibom is one of the States with increasing level of unemployment”, the governor started. “You see, statistically, before I assumed office, unemployment was at a very high rate but some of our policies and endeavours like the training of youths on power, agriculture, computer / oracle, and the various skill acquisition programmes of AKEES have been able to reduce the high level of unemployment in the state.”

“I am aware of all these sir”, I retorted.

“Good! Furthermore, our industrial plans orchestrated to create more jobs led to the commissioning of the Syringe, Metering and other industries has reduced the number of youths roaming on the streets. Other industrial projects such as the coconut refinery, fertilizer and sugar companies, Ibom Flour, Rice and Agric Mill, on the pipeline are lofty ways that we intend to create more employment. More so, our employment generation plan for the next fiscal year will take more than 100 thousand youths off the labour market.”

“Sorry to cut you, your Excellency sir, did you just say 100 thousand youths, how do you intend to achieve that?” I quipped.

“Yes that is what I said. The employment programme will be tagged “Akwa Ibom Works” and will cover more than ten Ministerial briefings. For instance with the wide acceptance of the Ukapisua celebration, don't expect it this year as we intend to rejig the Akwa Ibom Tourism Board to become a commission - “Akwa Ibom Tourism Commission” which will employ more people and competent hands with mini offices around some local government areas - expanding its scope of duty to cover the tourism potential of the state to earn foreign exchange. The five tourism spots used as band names during the Ukapisua carnival will be developed and showcased to the world and make to work for tourists and visitors who visits the state. We would also develop the Ibeno beach and create a park / resort with mobile lodges for guests to occupy and enjoy nature at its fullest instead of lodging at Eket.” Inside me, I echoed “really?”

As if he heard me, the governor continued “Other ministries that will assist in the mandate to provide jobs are the Ministry of Transportation, which will be done through the employment and training of over five thousand people as State Road Marshals (SRM) across the 31 local government area as well as formalizing the appointments of all the transport ticket sellers to be under the payroll of the government. We intend to set up an Environmental Supervision Unit, (ESU) under the Ministry of Environment to supervise and impose sanctions to those that flaunt our new environmental laws by fining them. Since health is wealth and we are greatly concerned about the health of our people, the Ministry of Health will also accommodate youths through the formulation of a Health Supervision Unit. This unit would be responsible for the supervision of our abattoirs; those people preparing food for the Akwa Ibom public such as restaurants, eateries, and the production of consumables across the state”.

“A larger part of the employment will come from the Institution that we intend to establish - the “Akwa Ibom Skills Acquisition and Technology Centre”. This will be home grown and technological driven. It would be driven by the combination of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology as well as Commerce, Industry and Investment. Our children who cannot further their education after completion of the free education we are offering at the secondary levels would be admitted to acquire skills in different categories of the National Diplomas / Vocational Certificates programmes in Fashion Design and Cosmetology; TV, Radio and GSM Repairs; Refrigeration and Air-conditioning; Block laying and Concreting; Carpentry and Joinery; Electrical Installation and Repair; Fabrication and Welding, Hospitality and Tourism Studies, Film and TV Production, Security Management and Technology and Plumbing and Pipe fitting.”

Bamboozled and astonished by the governor’s fluent articulation of the plans for the state off heart, I asked in nostalgia, “Your Excellency, are you saying that all these vocational programmes would be offered to Akwa Ibom people in Akwa Ibom State?”

His response came with so much confidence that seems to overhasty exhume the confidence of a greater Akwa Ibom in me. He said softly, “Tom, Nigerians are now so used to white collar jobs and lacks skills notwithstanding the fact that skilled workers are the best earners in the country now. Hence, my desire is to make Akwa Ibom State the foremost exporter of skills in the country.

People say I don’t “dash” money, but they are wrong, because I do. I am very generous. However, I don’t believe handouts will secure their future. I believe that my job generation ventures will be of immense benefit to the people. And that is why I want to invest in the future of these youth.”

“Your Excellency, it’s a very rewarding conversation so far and I am happy that I have what to share with Akwa Ibom people especially the opposition leaders who have refused to genuflect to your leadership of the state,” I summed.

Thank you Tom, you see, the gentrification of all areas in the state is a gradual process that comes with diligent planning and patience. I am grateful that people like you have continued to support us by propagating and spreading the good works we are doing.”

“Thank you sir, and happy New Year”, I greeted expectantly.

“Same to you. Tom, I think I should host you in the lodge this year, where are you now?” The governor inquired.

As I attempt a reply with much enthusiasm, I felt a heavy tap on my shoulder, Fish Fish, Fish, wake up, wake up, “we don almost finish the last bottle of wine oh”, Ekamba fumed! Jesus!!!

It was all a dream. Did I drink so much? What a day!

Tom FredFish is a Media Consultant, Strategist and Managing Partner, Fishbone Brandyte International, Uyo.

Breaking!

Gale of Defections May Be Affecting President Buhari's Health

By TFF

The ongoing defections of prominent members of the APC to the PDP may be causing a fresh health challenge to president Muhammadu Buhari who had before now been warned by his doctors to avoid activities that are detrimental to his health.

The President is scheduled to go for checkup and immediate treating in the U.K from Thursday.

In a statement signed by Mr. Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President (Media and Publicity) on
August 1, 2018, "President Muhammadu Buhari will begin a 10 working days holiday from August 3, 2018", without stating the reasons for the emergency holiday. However reports carried earlier in the day by Temidayo Akinsuyi of the Daily Independent noted that President Buhari may travel to the UK for two weeks on health issue according to a presidency source who informed Daily Independent.

The information is now a confirmation of the press statement from Femi Adesina.

The statement by Adesina states that: "ln compliance with Section 145 (1) of the 1999 Constitution, a letter has been transmitted to the President of the Senate, and the Speaker, House of Representatives to that effect."

It noted that while the President is on vacation, the Vice President will be in acting capacity as President noting that President Buhari will be in London for the holiday. It is however no news that President Buhari's doctors are in the UK as sources say the President's handlers are hiding the health challenge so that his supporters will not be dissuaded with the gale of defections hitting the once flourishing ruling party.

According to the statement, Buhari will return to the country after ten days.