Interview

“We should share our knowledge and experiences for the benefit of the young ones.”

Dr. Uduak Udom,

President, World Council of Optomery

what was it like growing up? Your childhood and education…

My mum had died when I was a little less than 2 years old, so uncles and aunties took care of me because my dad had gone to the University outside the country when I was 6 months old, and came back when I was 4. My father was a teacher so I generally schooled wherever my father was teaching; Methodist Girls Secondary School, Utu Ikpe; Union Secondary School, Ibiaku; a school in Akai Ubium where I completed my secondary school.

Growing up, I used to read a lot of books, in fact, I tried to finish all the books in my father’s library… and then I used to have this thing for plants. I would frequently go and give them injections; I guess something in me was tending towards healthcare.

When I finished Secondary school, I went to the University of Benin on a Federal Government Scholarship to study Medicine. In my first year, people kept telling me that I would have difficulty in General Medicine because I was very emotional. I could merely see two people quarrelling and I would be crying (laughter). Around this time, I got born again. I was worried about what to do, though I really wanted to study medicine so while praying one day, I asked God, “What do I do?” Suddenly, as though someone whispered in my ear, I heard “Optometry!” I had never heard of the word before. I later asked one of my hostel mates and she affirmed that it was a course which existed, but discouraged me saying it involved too much academic work. I made up my mind that since I only heard about this course while praying to God, I would do it and I would succeed. So I applied for a change-of-course. It so turned out that I was the first female Optometry student in Uniben, but by the next year, six girls joined the course and right now in Nigeria, there are more female Optometrists than male.

I finished from Uniben, did my Youth Service and started work. I started doing few researches on my own. My work was accepted, so I started attending conferences and presenting papers. where did you work, and how did you ascend to the pinnacle of your profession?

I worked at Mercy Hospital Abak and also some other private place, then started CeeJay Vision Centre. I got married, had my babies, but was still going for conferences. In 2007, I sent in a paper for a world congress and people from the World Health Organization accepted my paper for plenary where I managed a good presentation (laughs), and to answer the questions thrown at me. At the end a white man I later found out was the President of the World Council of Optometry, offered me an invitation to Mexico for another conference. I presented a paper there and the President of the Optometry Association in Trinidad & Tobago invited me to come and train them in Community Eye Health. And that’s how I started being invited for Community Eye Health Training Centres in Malaysia, Tanzania, Uganda and so on. During that period Dr. Naidoo was elected the President of the African Council of Optometry, but just before his swearing-in, he was also nominated to be Chairman of the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness Africa. He said he was not ready to handle both positions, so he nominated me to take over the African Council of Optometry. And that was how I became President of the African Council.

ready to handle both positions, so he nominated me to take over the African Council of Optometry. And that was how I became President of the African Council.

The World Council invited me to attend a board meeting where I turned out to be the only person with this skin colour; every other person was white and much older. I saw it as an opportunity to prove that we are as good or even better. I was punctual to meetings, delivered on assignments so much so that when other people had problems with their regions, they were asked them to come and meet me.

I was to serve for two years, but the person who was elected to take over from me sent in a resignation letter on the eve of his resumption. And so, instead of fresh elections, I was requested to continue for another two years. At the expiration of my tenure as President of the African Council (of Optometry), we had a meeting in London where the President of the World Council called me aside and told me, “I have seen your report, you did very well.” I thanked him.

After I came back, the President of the World Council called to inform me that the succession committee has met, and that my name was suggested for impending vacancy of the Presidency of the World Council. I spoke with my husband and children and they gave their consent. At the next board meeting in May 2013, they announced me as the President-elect to would work with the then incumbent president who eventually handed over to me in August 2015 when I was sworn in. World Council of Optometry is 90 years this year, and I’m the second African to be President.

congratulations! Thank you very much.

so you have two years? Yes it’s a two-year term.

Hopefully they will ask you to stay back again. No I don’t want to stay back (Laughter); it has been really tedious.

How tedious exactly? what does it entail? It entails a lot of hard work and commitment to responsibilities. For instance, there is often impromptu assignments which sometimes require 48 hours at a stretch to prosecute. You get to travel on very short notice, you attend as many workshops and conferences as possible…

so would you say getting to this level of attainment has been predominantly down to hard work...? Yes. It’s mainly hard work, commitment and devotion. But of course it’s God who opens doors... It also requires self-belief; to see and opportunity and go for it confidently. There could be opportunities and you may feel too timid to go for it because you tell yourself, “Maybe I won’t be able to do it and all that”. But if you say “Okay, the opportunity is there, let me see how I can key into it”, you’re more likely to make it.

what do we need to do more as nigerians and as akwa ibomites, to have more people like you? Well, I will talk about Akwa Ibom, because I cannot talk about the rest of Nigeria. I think one thing is to create awareness of the opportunities that are available; our people do not have enough access to information. And then two, whenever there is an opportunity for us to get together, we should share our knowledge and experiences for others to benefit, especially the young ones. When most of our young people finish Secondary School, all they know is Law, Medicine, Engineering. But there’s a whole lot more people can do to earn a living. I think there should be more of skills acquisition integrated into the education system. There are a lot of things coming up that people don’t know about because they are also indifferent about acquiring knowledge and information.

Even with adults. We have adults who are not even 50 yet who say, “I’m too old to use the computer, my children will do it” meanwhile, there are 80 year old women taking exams with computers. Our people should get rid of such backward mentality. I believe that’s what the Governor is doing through Dakkada, so please do whatever you can to advocate for Akwa Ibomites to get rid of that pessimistic mentality.

on a parting note, one message for the akwa ibomite who is aspiring for the top... Fear God, work hard, and always believe you can make it; don’t have a negative mindset.

Thank you very much. You’re welcome.

Progress Report

By Lydia Udoh

Propelled by the Akwa Ibom State Directorate of Marketing and Brand Management, the Government’s vision to traverse the nooks and crannies of the state to stir the perspicacity of the people and help them rise to sustained self-sufficiency through the utilization of inherent and environmental resource, remains an unrelenting exercise.

Governor Mr Udom Emmanuel, once said that,“…If you don’t conquer food, you are not ready for development...” This counsel backed by the Loan Scheme he made available to farmers is today yielding dividends as Dakkada Multipurpose Cooperative Society Ltd (MPCS) have embarked on the cultivation of a variety of agrobusinesses ranging from poultry, Oil palm, Vegetables, Maize, Cassava. Some of these have long harvested these products, thereby boosting the availability of affordable food and raw material production, in addition to attracting investment to the state.

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1 A cross section of the high table during the Projects Awareness campaign in

Uyo Senatorial District

2 A goodwill message during Projects

Awareness campaign

3 Training session for Executives of

Dakkada MPCS

6 4 Large turnout of participants at the

Projects Awareness campaign

5 Presentation of Government Projects to the participants duing the participants

6 Presentation of certificates of incorporation to Executives of Dakkada

MPCS

7 Welcome address during the Project

Awareness Campaign

7 The Cooperative Societies set-up to encourage and promote professionalism in entrepreneurship under the auspices of Dakkada Business Forum, was duly registered in each of the 31 local government areas.

20 youths from across the state are now certified Computer Programmers thanks to the youth empowerment and capacity building drive of the State Government. Through the State Government’s Dakkada Support Initiative, propelled by the Directorate, a Computer Programming Training in collaboration with Nigerpet Structures limited was organized for these youths selected from across the State.

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1 Cultivation of vegetables by Dakkada

MPCS

2 Harvesting of Oil palm by Dakkada

MPCS

5 3 Computer Programming training for youths as part of Dakkada Support

Initiative

4 Goodwill messages from dignitaries during Projects Awareness campaign

5 Participants expressing appreciation for

Government projects in their area

6 Recitation of the Dakkada Creed during the Projects Awareness Campaign

6 Dakkada Support Initiative has also concluded modalities for the training and provision of modern carpentry tools for carpenters across the 31 Local Government Areas this month. In partnership with HENSEK, the Directorate of Marketing and Brand Management, this project aims not only to expose carpenters in the State to the use of the latest equipments, but will also provide these equipments free, to enhance their efficiency and optimal service delivery.

The State Government’s strides to positively impact on the lives of the people of the state by embarking on innumerable people-oriented projects was showcased during the Government Projects Impact Awareness Campaign held across the State. The event was hosted in Etim Ekpo, Mkpat Enin and Ibesikpo Local Government Areas to represent Ikot Ekpene, Eket and Uyo Senatorial districts respectively.

Governor Udom like we all know is a finance guru, coming from the banking sector, so it is not surprising that he has been able to manage the state’s wealth in these hard times.

He is building bridges, ensuring that everybody is carried along and that there’s no marginalization. He has also paid a lot of attention to the development of youth, especially in the area of sports development. I think he’s doing well and needs to be encouraged as he cannot do it alone without the support of the people.

In two years we have seen his prudence in handling the meagre resources of the state at a time like this. With the Dakkada philosophy gradually being embraced by the people, there is no doubt Akwa Ibom people will rise to fulfil their capabilities. etim esin former nigerian football international

Hon. Ubong Uquang chairman ikot abasi Transition committee

From all we have seen so far, Governor Udom Emmanuel clearly deserves a second term. We Akwa Ibomites should cooperate with Udom and give him a chance to continue to deliver the desired impact on our state.

HrM edidem akpan akpan akpene paramount ruler of Mkpat enin

Governor Udom Emmanuel emerged at a time when the state and country was not only deficit in terms of capital, but also in ideas to manage the lean revenue. He has been able to develop a clear road map; infrastructure has been improved and wealth is today being created through industrialization.

Udom is bringing back the glory days of Akwa Ibom state. It takes more than just wishes and desire; Industrialization takes painstaking commitment. From my interactions with him, I am assured he has the discipline and is committed to the best interest of his people.

senator anietie okon

It is paramount to mention that when he resumed office the attitude of people towards government did not conform with his principles and ideas, he had to embark on a mental reformation of people attitude to change the way they see government and position it in such a way that it will bring more discipline. Now the people have gotten to understand him a lot better and I believe that in the next two years he will have a smoother ride to end his first term. Since he has been able to overcome some of the obstacles on his way, I believe that toward the end of his 1st term it will be more glaring that he is ready to go into a second term.

chief nduese essien former federal executive council Member

In two years, Governor Udom has done very well, especially with the Dakkada philosophy. He has changed people’s focus from depending on government to being masters of their own because if everyone works for the government or depends on them the economy will be slow.

In the area of security he has empowered security agencies to do their work. Insecurity in the state would have been higher if we had a poor performing Governor. From my calculation, the Governor is performing.

Udom Udo ekpoudom deputy inspector general of police (rtd)