Date Published: 12/09/10

At 48, Akpabio is a wanted man! By Usoro I. Usoro

Godswill Akpabio

Back in early 2007, nobody of note reckoned with him. But in 2010, Governor Godswill Akpabio has been declared ‘wanted’ – by the security agencies; students; Labour; indigenes; non-indigenes; elders; children; women; socio-political groups!

Today, the nation has cause to celebrate a true and detribalized leader, the  apostle of a renewed Akwa Ibom unity. In the last three and half years, the governor has actualised God’s will for Akwa Ibom. His transformation agenda has touched the people across various divides. Hence, the masses have declared him wanted!

Akpabio is wanted for supporting the security agencies; the students want him for implementing free and compulsory education; elders and children want him because he instituted free medicare for them; women now get free maternal care. Collectively, the masses are very pleased with the governor, hence they insist that he must return to Government House, next year.

 Last week, a Nigerian in Eastern Europe, sought a system where Akpabio could be loaned to other states for at least two years. It was during the first ever tele-rally involving a Nigerian. Akpabio was the focus; Akwa Ibom was the topic. It linked over 5,000 Nigerians, mainly from Akwa Ibom, using the internet, telephones, camcorders, etc.

Akpabio has become a case study for other leaders in Nigeria. The speed with which he has transformed his state has made him an ‘essential product’ for national development. In Akwa Ibom today,  traditionally deplorable roads which were hitherto used as campaign points by previous governments, have all been tarred with the most modern methods.

Akpabio’s achievement is the plank of his confidence for reelection. Already, the people have assured him of their 100 per cent votes. They argue that he has justified the mandate they freely gave him and that one good term deserves another. That was exactly what  the Speaker of House of Representatives, Hon Oladimeji Bankole and his colleagues said recently. While in Akwa Ibom on a retreat, the were lawmakers touched by Akpabio’s sincerity and overwhelmed by the governor’s unprecedented strides.  “No wonder you scored 99 per cent of the votes from your people in the last election”, the Speaker exclaimed!

Hence, it’s not surprising that in so short a time, his administration has introduced  radical changes - based on people-oriented policies. His administration has given the youths an opportunity to contribute to societal development. His government, made of techncrates and core professionals, has accommodated all shades of interest – social; ethnic; religious, etc.

Akpabio’s administration is the first in the history of the state to appoint a female Head of Service. Unlike the past when governors in the state appointed Secretaries to the State Government from their ethnic group, he appointed a seasoned technocrat from Ibibio land in person of Umana Okon Umana.

Specifically, the state under Akpabio has witnessed a revolution in the area of roads construction and rehabilitation. When Akpabio assumed office, there was a general feeling of despondency in the land. Many saw nothing to hope for, when their communities had long been forgotten in terms of basic social amenities. Now, the songs have changed from lamentation to thanksgiving!

In fact, even his colleague-governors like Governors Babangida Aliyu; Mohammad Goje; Liyel Imoke; and Babatunde Fashola (SAN), have been quoted  as commending Akpabio numerous achievments. Recently, Fashola, reportedly  praised Akpabio for completing the Ibom Power Plant, thus giving hope to Nigerians. Fashola was speaking based on the experience of Lagos State, which actually initiated the idea of IPP in Nigeria but was unable to nurture it to fruition.

Aliyu declared Akpabio wanted recently when he visited Akwa Ibom State. “I have visited Akwa Ibom six time before being elected Governor of Niger State and today as I landed at the Akwa Ibom International Airport. I saw that you are spending the money well and according to the rules and regulations. From what I have seen, you do not need to put posters around. Your good projects speak for themselves”, he said. He also added: I’m happy that my friend and brother, the Governor has really done well in the last three years. Because I know how Uyo used to look like. And now that I have come, I’ve been able to go round and I’ve been able to see not only the development in infrastructure but also the general love that I saw coming from the people for their governor”.

Similarly, President Goodluck Jonathan declared Akpabio wante describing him as focused: “… one thing that is very clear from the airport till now is government of Akwa Ibom is focused. I have seen quite a number of projects... the Airport, the roads; the E-library; the drainage system, the government house and others. But one thing I note is that the projects I have seen are not just projects but are of a  very high quality. I am quite pleased because the governor is not playing politics with projects but it shows clearly that he is committed to changing things… What I can request from all of you from Akwa Ibom, from the traditional rulers, our political leaders, our opinion leaders, our women and youths is for us to encourage the governor’’.        

Like one observer said, declaring Akpabio wanted by way of recognitions have come from  a plethora of sources. The media; the religious organisations, the academia; the political class; the social strata(including the physically challenged and the elderly) have in various ways hailed Akpabio’s people-focused leadership. His dedication, astuteness, focus and strict adherence to the will of God have all endeared him the more to the people. That is why the Niger Republic gave him its highest national honours of Gold Humanitarian Services Award; the Forum of Elderly People made him their ‘Man of the Year’; The Methodist Church named him ‘The Joshua of our Time’; African Church says he’s the ‘Nehemiah -for rebuilding the broken walls of Akwa Ibom despite distractions; the Catholic Church tagged him ‘The Miracle Worker’! Since he believes so much in justice and rule of law, the University of Uyo awarded him an honorary doctorate in Laws; for the UNIZIK, Akpabio must be a ‘Master Strategist’ to be able to remain so focused to transform his state in so short a time. For the Nigerian Society of Engineers, the governor deserves the highest honour in innovative Structural Engineering of the state.

He has changed lives through micro credit schemes to sub-groups, societies - including religious bodies. He has been a willing tool in God’s hand to elongate the lives of Akwa Ibom people - through his free medicare for children, pregnant women and the elderly.

With about 260 urban roads and Federal roads worth over N180billion; with an elevated standard of living; promotion of self worth; with an even spread of amenities like electricity, water supply, hospitals, good school facilities, etc, he indeed deserves to be celebrated!

  Considerate, humane, demure, humble and chivalrous, Akpabio, the performing Governor of Akwa Ibom State is now a wanted man for next year’s reelection. The people say, his reelection would be a befitting 48 th birthday. Amen!

Usoro is the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Godswill Obot Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State