By Uduak Edward
The theme: Rebuilding Nigeria presupposes that the nation is in ruins and needs to be restructured. The process, if we borrow from the French Philosopher, Rene Descartes, would involve demolishing certain ancient structures and preserving some for accommodation in the remolding process. Above all, it involves the human factor who, first, must admit that there is work to be done and sets about doing it to fruition.
It was, perhaps, the consideration of the last factor, the human input in rebuilding Nigeria, that informed the gathering of the creme-de-la-creme of the society by the Leadership Newspaper, in Abuja.
It was April 16, 2013. And, specifically, the event built around the theme of Rebuilding Nigeria, recognized those who have so far made significant efforts towards the refashioning movement. From the business to the religious; from the social to the political, recognition went round. But two categories stood out most – the religious and the political. While, very significantly, Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar and John Cardinal Onaiyekan won a joint award for exemplary, peaceful religious leadership; Governor Godswill Akpabio emerged the Leadership Governor of the Year 2012 for uncommon transformation of his state with quality infrastructure.
In deed, love him or hate him, Akpabio’s achievement in the area of restructuring the landscape of the nation through infrastructure has so far been unequalled. Some argue that he receives a lot of money from the Federation account but fail to explain why some other states who receive similar or more funds can’t develop at the speed of light seen in Akwa Ibom in recent years. Obviously, those convinced by detractive and hateful criticisms are few as it was evident in the International Conference Centre venue of the event. As Akpabio was called upon to receive the award, which as usual he dedicated to the people of Akwa Ibom State, the hall erupted in a deafening ovation. For minutes, the proceedings were on hold as almost everyone present acknowledged that the wonder worker governor†deserved his day in the sun.
It wasn’t his first Governor of the Year or Man of the Year award. He has had several in the past six years; so this one was just a confirmation of the numerous others. But as usual, Akpabio shone brighter than all the stars in the galaxy! Responding, on behalf of other awardees at the Leadership event, Akpabio said leadership needs sincerity of purpose; focus; dedication; commitment and common involvement of all.
Principally, the plank Akpabio stood head above other governors at the event was in his development focus. Space may limit elaboration here but suffice it to say that apart from other evidences, Akpabio is now jocularly knows as “The Roadmaster”, on account of his unprecedented road network development. As he constructs even federal roads for all Nigerians to ply, he is “rebuilding Nigeria. Some critics even say he’s the Education-by-Force Governor. Yet, this is one area he proudly pointed out at the event as his effort at rebuilding Nigeria, as all Nigerian children resident in his state benefit from the scheme. In deed, the governor’s love for education, in particular, is based on his understanding of the great importance it holds for the people. He appreciates, like John Maurice Clarke, the English economist that, knowledge is the only instrument of production that is not subject to diminishing returns. He has invested in education more than any governor before him in Akwa Ibom State.
Challenged by the ignorance and poverty that had once ravaged the land and affected the psyche of the people, Akpabio is changing the fortune of his people through education. Similarly, the e-Library; the gas plant; the Ibom International Airport; the Prisons built and handed over to the federal government; the construction of over ten buildings within the University of Uyo, a federal institution; the various contributions – structural and financial – to the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH), another federal body, all aid in “rebuilding Nigeria. Moreover, as the governor mentioned at the Leadership event, he doesn’t segregate on account of tribe. For instance, his principal aides are from the diverse tribes in the country; completely mixed and he is blind to religious sentiments, too! Hence, he was “rebuilding Nigeria when he built a hostel at Hussiani Adamu Federal Polytechnic, Kazaure, Jigawa State, recently.
For the above reasons and more, he has in the past won various recognitions. For instance, on February 25, 2012; the Sun Newspapers, after a painstaking exercise, picked Akpabio for honor as its “Man of the Year, 2011. Similar affirmation also came earlier from Daily Independent; Tribune; National Daily, etc. He was even named an Emerging Tiger by the Thisday Newspaper, a few years back. Usually, the Board of Editors of each paper say Akpabio was picked based on verifiable indices witnessed independently while on spot inspections to Akwa Ibom State.
Even members of the opposition parties have admitted that Akpabio deserves a place in history as a national builder. ACN’s Comrade-Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State said that much at the Sun award, last year:
“The Sun Man of the Year 2011 that you are being honored today is not a fluke. It is based on what you have been able to put in place in your state as their leader since you took over the reigns of leadership. I have been to Akwa Ibom State and I know what I saw. This award is a confirmation of your achievements in office and I can say without any apology that you deserve this awardâ€, he said. Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State (APGA), once described Akpabio in similar glowing terms when he visited Akwa Ibom. The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) in Akwa Ibom recently said: “We have noted with delight, the apparent and heartening pace of developments that have been recorded by Gov. Godswill Akpabio and particularly applaud the development initiative in the areas of infrastructural provision across the state as well as the institutionalization of free and compulsory education”.
Speaking with some journalists after the event, Akpabio’s media aide, Chief Usoro I. Usoro, said it was African Church which first recognized that the governor has been rebuilding Nigeria, hence they named him Nehemiah of our time. Usoro, who is the Senior Special Assistant on Print Media and Research, recalled that even the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) also named Akpabio the Best Governor in Nigeriaâ€, in terms of micro credits and empowerment of the masses. It was noted the governor has been rebuilding Nigeria with his policy of providing 4500 women with direct training and capital for agricultural purposes. Speaking with journalists, Usoro said the Sun award was the latest confirmation that the governor indeed deserved the numerous honors he has so far garnered. Governor Akpabio has shown that given good and sincere leadership, Nigeria can truly be rebuilt and it has to be from all the sectors. He has made Akwa Ibom a model for Nigeria, he added.
Interestingly, Akpabio talks less about his achievements, yet he delivers more; perhaps in line with Henry Kaiser’s cautions: When your work speaks for itself, don’t interrupt. But a goldfish has not hiding place and in the words of Apostle, a city set on a hill cannot be hidden…no one lights a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp-stand that gives light to all who are in the house (city). In other words, like marketers would say, a good product markets itself!
Not long ago, the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, also described Akpabio in superlative terms. The institution’s assessments confirmed that Akpabio has made mammoth, wonderful and historic contributions to the development and growth of our society in particular and humanity in generalâ€. Hence, he was awarded a doctorate degree (honoris causa) in Public Administration and Strategy!
For Akpabio, the awards actually spur him to do more. From far and near, the world appreciates his efforts and has risen in diverse locations with words of encouragements. Recently, in far away Houston, Texas, the United States Congress described him as exceptional confirming a Wikileaks reports that he is one to watch in good governance. Ms Sheila Jackson Lee, a member of the 18th Congressional District of Texas, who conferred Akpabio with a Certificate of Congressional Recognition, on behalf of the Speaker, said the governor’s shining example of leadership is truly worthy of respect, admiration and commendation of the United States Congress. The governor’s wife, Ekaette, also got an award for her charity works centered on widows, women, poverty and the disabled.¨She described Akwa Ibom under Akpabio as “a state with limitless opportunities, saying with so many projects delivered, over 3000 of them, and a lot still in the works, Akwa Ibom state now stands out as a foremost state in the Niger Delta, not embroiled in tribal wars, militancy or crime. Akpabio has similarly been appreciated by other credible institutions. The Nigerian Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPSS, Kuru, was among the first to rate Akpabio’s Akwa Ibom as the best state in terms of infrastructural development. In fact, it canvased for more money the Akwa Ibom because the one collected so far can very well be seen on ground!
Today, tourists and corporate bodies as well as government agencies relocate to Akwa Ibom“ thereby helping the governor to achieve his dream of making the state a destination of choice! To date, almost all the strata of the Nigerian society have confirmed and appreciated Akpabio’s effort at genuinely impacting on the majority. From the academia to the clergy; the old and the young; the professional groups and the traditional institutions; the civil/ public servants and the organized private sector; from the civilians to the military. He’s the only governor in Nigeria to receive an award from the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA). He got an honorary doctor of Management Sciences from the institution still for his unparalleled feats in management of resources!
The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) awarded him a Special Presidential Merit Award for his immense commitment to infrastructural development of (Akwa Ibom) state in particular and Nigeria in general. It said Akpabio’s actions, tendencies and advocacy, “placed the advancement of technological and infrastructural development of our potentially developing nation in consistent perspective”
To many, the tide of honours flowing Akpabio’s way is not surprising.
The consensus at the award ceremony was that leadership is not about lip-service and convoluted opinions. It is not about precepts and theories but much about exemplary living. When the common people are touched; when they pass a vote of confidence on a leader, it doesn’t matter what the selfish, politically motivated and hate-induced opinions are. A leader, by his fruit exhibited through rebuilding Nigeria, will always be noticed and recognized!
Miss Edward, a journalist and teacher, wrote this piece from Lagos.