Date Published: 11/18/09

Obong Victor Attah - A Visionary Statesman at 71 by Mr. Udeme Nana (former Senior Special Assistant to both Governor Attah and Godswill Akpabio on Media and Publics Affairs)

Obong Victor Attah

Seventy-one years on November 20, 2009, is the father of modern Akwa Ibom State, Arc (Obong) Victor Attah, first class architect, former Chairman of Nigerian Governor’s Forum, a man of courage, consistent and visionary statesman.

Obong Attah, can be compared to such iconic figures like the Great Zik of Africa, Obafemi Awolowo, Ahmadu Bello, Aminu Kano whose politics anchored on seeing possibilities in what the vast majority of their peers saw as impossibilities. Their resolve was driven by the question “why not”. His creativity, resolve and indomitable spirit are examples of a visionary leader. He laid a solid foundation for modern Akwa Ibom State and unbound the spirit of the people to move confidently into Nigeria and the world.

One of the first major examples of his vision to set excellent standards in the development of Akwa Ibom was the whooping investment in the strategic window created by the introduction of the Global System of Mobile Telecommunications (GSM) in the country. His government invested N6.7 billion in the Econet Company which after several changes in ownership now operates as Zain network. Today, Obong Attah walks tall, having been vindicated by the resolution of the issues surrounding the sale of Akwa Ibom’s shares in the company.

Against the background of a total dependence on an analogue telephone system which had served the State, the investment in the GSM network forced the immediate roll out of the service in Akwa Ibom making Uyo, the state capital to become one of the first four cities in the country where the GSM service was available. The return on that bold and visionary investment was a source of joy to the people, it created employment, expanded business opportunities for the people in such areas as direct dealerships, sales and repair of handsets and recharge cards in addition to other accessories like chargers and batteries. Moreover, the availability of the GSM service in the State eased communication between people in the State and others in several parts of the world.

Obong Attah’s initial vision to catalyze industrialization and change the profile of the State from a civil service economy was bogged down by epileptic power supply. He started to build an Independent Power Plant in the State, conscious of the immense benefits of uninterrupted power supply to boost the economy. Though the project could not be fully delivered before he left office at the end of his tenure in 2007, the good news is that his vision has been sustained to achieve the desired objective.

As Governor, he was the first to tap into the immense potentials of the Information Communication Technology (ICT). Aware of the total dependence on oil as the mainstay of Nigeria’s economy and the problems associated with the oil industry, coupled with the understanding that oil is a wasting resource, Obong Attah took steps to tap into the Information Communication Technology sector by working to replicate Silicon Valley in Uyo. The facility, now christened Victor Attah Digital Opportunities Centre (VADOC) was set up as a forerunner to what could have served as the hub of a digital society in the Niger Delta area of the country.Attah was indeed the first Governor to prepare an Information Technology Policy in the country.

By the time former Governor Attah started the Akwa Ibom International Airport /Hangar project in Okobo, it had been discussed for decades but he proved that the future belonged to those who dream and take concrete steps to translate such dreams into reality.

The Akwa Ibom International Airport which received an Arik plane on September 23rd this year, when completed will revolve around aircrafts Maintenance, Repairs and Overhaul (MRO) facilities (MRO). When fully completed, the Akwa Ibom International Airport would become the first ever in Nigeria and West Africa with Hangar facilities. As observed by then Hon. Minister of Aviation in his goodwill message at the Contract Signing Ceremony, “the Hangar facility which is presently unavailable in the country will enhance the potentials of the new airport. Furthermore, the Hangar facility (National Aircraft Maintenance Centre) will assist neighbouring West African Countries to maintain their aircraft and consequently improve and create safety in the air transportation sector.”

His strident, courageous advocacy for derivation, resource control, fiscal federalism and indigenous ownership of marginal oil fields yielded several positive results which include the large monthly allocation now enjoyed by Akwa Ibom and other Niger Delta States.

The Le Meridien Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort he conceived and built is the reason why Akwa Ibom has become a conference location of choice in Nigeria. Attah built the Nwaniba, Abak, NungUdoe-Ikot Okwot roads among others including several other bread and butter projects across the state. He built the Nigerian Stock Exchange Office, the Shelter Afrique Housing Estate and built 1550 modern houses across the 31 local government areas of the State. It was Attah who also laid the foundation for the establishment of the Akwa Ibom University of Technology. Akwa Ibom State now proudly welcomes the world because of the existence of these facilities.

Attah’s strategy in governance was a systematic process where ideas and programmes were interwoven like a web in an attempt to situate Akwa Ibom as a destination in Nigeria – nay, the world.

Visionary governance is not only about massive constructions. Under Attah, the State fared well politically. It was an oasis of peace. Akwa Ibom was the most peaceful State in the Niger Delta region. There wasn’t any incidence of kidnapping or assassinations. Though a multi-ethnic State, inter-ethnic tension was absent. The calm in Victor Attah’s Akwa Ibom came from the equitable dispensation of patronage by the Governor. As a true statesman, he stood on the side of justice and fair play to shift power to the minority Annang group in his State.

Akwa Ibom, under Attah, was not a very rich state but her people were not hungry, he initiated policies which empowered his people directly. Stretching of the imagination was exactly what former Governor Victor Attah brought into governance which made Akwa Ibom State not only unique in several ways, but also a pace-setter in visionary standards in governance.

Out of office, Attah may be wondering why he was such a poor judge of character given the deliberate efforts by his former minions to make him lame politically. But, maybe he shouldn’t worry too much, for as the saying goes, history will vindicate the just.