The Dream of Akwa Ibom Rising

By anietie Ukpe

Governor Udom Emmanuel has walked through fire and water...and he is still soaring higher. Riding the tide of public love and goodwill, he survived a political conspiracy of Ruritanian dimensions to become the governor of Akwa Ibom State. He has weathered the cyclone of propaganda unleashed on him and his administration by an increasingly desperate opposition. An opposition frustrated by their inability to impede his momentum.

When he engaged Akwa Ibom people during the campaigns in the build-up to his election, his in-depth knowledge of the communities of Akwa Ibom State regaled those who listened to him. Like the men of Issachar in the Bible, he had an understanding of the times and he knew what Akwa Ibom ought to do; and he has proven this by finding strategic solutions to the politico-economic and socio-cultural challenges of the Akwa Ibom Community. Keeping his head when most in his shoes have lost theirs and blamed it on the national economy, Akwa Ibom State has been advancing while the nation is in recession. How Emmanuel manages to keep the state in this orbit of progress and development is testament to his awesome skillset as an accomplished investment banker, and should be the subject of a global economic workshop.

Leaving Zenith Bank as an executive director to serve Akwa Ibom State as the Secretary to the State Government and thereafter as elected governor, he is already pointing the way forward for Akwa Ibom people through life-enhancing programmes, projects and policies. His laudable achievements today, after only two years, give Akwa Ibom people hope for tomorrow; indeed they give me faith to dream. And like the dream of the Rev. Dr Martin Luther King Jr. woke up America, this dream shall wake Akwa Ibom up to the fullness of her potentials.

I dream that the job creation, poverty alleviation, wealth-creation, economic and political inclusion, and infrastructural consolidation agenda of the Emmanuel Administration shall become an article of faith in every Akwa Ibom heart. I dream of a day when all Akwa Ibom people – Ibibios and Ekids, Oros and Annangs, Andoni’s and Ibenos – shall rise on the strength of agriculture above the national quagmire of dependence on oil. I dream of Akwa Ibom Enterprise and Employment Scheme (AKEES), a project of this administration, laying the foundation for this leap.

I dream of onions and tomatoes thriving in Akwa Ibom State as waters cover the seas and even cocoa which had seemingly departed our shores, shall blossom again in our farmlands and our state will retain its place as one of the major exporters of cocoa. For there shall be a cocoa refinery as envisioned by the Udom administration, and the once-rejected cocoa farmers shall become the king of crops.

I dream of a new spirit of enterprise which shall beat in the heart of every Akwa Ibom youth and there shall take to our farmlands in search of their destinies and not seek political patronage or to be personal assistants to personal assistants.

I dream that soon, out of the ashes of a troubled nation in recession, shall rise a land blossoming in industrialization – Akwa Ibom State. On that day, the youths shall “dakadda” (rise) with new faith and vigour and wear the badge of their State with pride. The pride that they were empowered and trained in various vocational skills; the pride that they were sent abroad for training in various fields; the pride that God is with us – Emmanuel!

I dream of the new “dàkkádá” spirit waking up the giants in our youths. I dream of civil servants hitching their trunk to the governor’s exemplary management of time and resources and managing both to the great benefit of our state and the civil and public services.

But not only that, I dream of a new spiritual awakening. Udom Emmanuel has been described as an ambassador of the church in politics. I dream of the Church taking pride in his achievements and praying more for politicians and working more to be participants in government for politics is too serious a matter to be left in the hands of those who do not believe.

I dream that one day, all Akwa Ibom people shall join hands together and recite the dakkada creed in love and with new joy, new commitment and new faith. I dream that Akwa Ibom State is in the labour room and about to bring forth a monumental season for the black race. The day beckons; the Udom administration would midwife that season, and the people who lived in darkness in Nigeria shall see a great light… the light of Akwa Ibom rising.