Udom: A Governor On Top Of Situations

By  Joe Iniodu

Those who ever doubted whether Mr. Udom Emmanuel was a good choice as governor of the State found themselves reviewing such position last week. It was a media parley at the instance of His Excellency, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, governor of Akwa Ibom State as the Government began preparations to mark the 29 years of the creation of the State.

The Governor had decided to meet with Journalists in the State alongside members of the State Exco and other stakeholders in what many christened as expanded EXCO.

The Parley which was billed for 4 O’clock at the Banquet Hall of Government House started slightly after the scheduled time. Governor Emmanuel who is a stickler for time had to delay his arrival to allow more people to arrive and be part of the event. The seats were duly demarcated and labeled in line with people that were being expected. And so there were seats earmarked for members of the State EXCO, Party EXCO, Clergymen, leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, (NUJ), Aides of the Governor and the journalists themselves; the bonafide owners of the event who were all there in their numbers. Before the Chief Executive of the State arrived, the venue was already swarming with people of different hues.

After some short remarks by the Commissioner for Information and Communications and the State Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists, the man at whose instance it was for the colony of people to be gathered took to the podium to share his thoughts and insights with the audience. His grasp of issues, depth, sagacity, sublimity all tucked in a genial composure and complemented with his penchant for rib racking humour made Governor Emmanuel the toast of the day. “This man is intelligent”, intoned one anti-Udom advocate who sat quietly watching him initially with sneer that eventually turned to glee. But it was neither in the eloquence nor the humour that he made the mark but in his keen knowledge of the State, sincerity and the confidence he exuded. “It is only a man who knows where he is going and who can envision the destination that can brim with such confidence”, said a senior journalist who posited that prior to that press briefing, he had been very half hearted in his assessment of Governor Emmanuel but that he is now fully convinced that he has the ken to take the State to new heights.

The two persons in reference were not the only ones who found themselves confronted with the compelling need to change their views about Governor Emmanuel and join the ranks of his ardent supporters. He had endeared himself to the media community even in the way he started the day’s conversation. Governor Emmanuel posited that his administration sees the media as partners in progress pointing out that government expects a sanitized media. He appealed to practitioners to applaud government when it does well and criticize albeit constructively when it veers out of course. The Chief Executive of the State reiterated the need for unity charging the media to eschew in their reportage those things that have the tendency to divide the people of the State.

Governor Emmanuel in his reference to self sustenance admonished Akwa Ibom people to jettison the “I used to” syndrome and work conscientiously towards sustainable growth that would ensure self reliance. He encouraged the people to develop entrepreneurial spirit and venture as that is one of the roadmaps to wealth creation. In the area of agriculture, Governor Emmanuel argued that no society can boast of any development if it is incapable of feeding its people. He advised farmers to form cooperatives to enable them get value for their farm produce. He assured farmers of government support at all levels stating that he is not a governor who would encourage more V8S on the roads than tractors in the farms.

In the area of industrialization where his critics have continued to argue that the State is witnessing more ground breaking but without industries, Governor Emmanuel submitted that building industries takes time noting that it is a process and not and an event. He said his vision for industrialization at a period of recession as witnessed in the country is using an approach which he called critical mass noting that the State has nothing to lose if it does 1000 ground breakings and is able to net 800 out of that figure. According to him, the critical mass theory would attract many but some upon appraisal of the economic climate may be reluctant to proceed with the venture stating that such development must not deter the State from wooing even more investors and encouraging more ground breaking ceremonies.

Governor Udom also reeled out an intimidating score card of achievements in his 16 months in office. The achievements cut across sectors like health where some segments of the society are still enjoying some free medical services, agriculture where significant strides have been made; quality education which is still free and compulsory from primary to secondary school; road infrastructure with many of them on-going while some have been completed; payment of pensions and gratuities etc. Governor Emmanuel maintained that despite the rising expenditure pattern operating side by side with low revenue, his administration was still doing its best to honour obligations. Hear him, “I cannot see what is good and withhold it from my people”, reiterating that he came to serve and that he would serve with every fibre of his being. As one of the exemplars in this conviction, Governor Emmanuel stated that he is the only governor in Nigeria that is generating more than 150 megawatts of electricity.

But Governor Udom’s high point came during question session. It was there that he proved his mettle that he came to serve and that he prepared for the role fate entrusted into his hands. Again hear him, “You don’t walk into leadership. You must prepare for it. I came here prepared”, Governor Emmanuel intoned. With that mindset, standing and hugging his special lectern, Governor Emmanuel said, “ask me any question, this is your opportunity to hear from me and go and write the truth and not the falsehoods that adorn most of the papers”. The governor exuded characteristic confidence and comportment depictive of a man without skeletons in his cupboard. The questions came uncensored and the people ungagged. It was a rare air of liberty for pressmen in interaction with a Chief Executive of a State. Governor Emmanuel also seized the occasion of the parley to clear the air on some lingering issues and that he did very successfully.

On the flood ravaging IBB Way, the State Chief Executive explained that the area is the lowest point within the Uyo metropolis even as he reminded the people that Uyo is a table land. Governor Emmanuel stated that extensive study has been conducted on how to deflood the area but noted that it would cost a whopping N52billion. However, the governor dropped the good news that World Bank has accepted to partner the State Government in curbing the flood menace in the area.

Someone demanded to know the status concerning payment of WAEC fees by the State Government implying in his question that the candidates could not access the results because of non-payment of the fees. The State Chief Executive in his response said that Government paid WAEC fees of about N600million reiterating that no result of any candidate is being withheld. Another person who asked that all his efforts to get the 2016 budget have been futile was advised to check the website as such public documents are displayed there in conformity with the ICT era. Many other questions that were asked were duly treated by the executive governor who looked very eager to take even the most disturbing questions. He also took time out to put to rest all the hullabaloo surrounding his much talked about mansion stating that it was in part of that house that he received guests after he won the PDP nomination. Governor Emmanuel emphasized that anybody who could contest election in Akwa Ibom State can build ten of such houses.

Having listened to Governor Udom Emmanuel, many developed new perceptions of him there and then. Elder Nnamso Umoren, a retired Permanent Secretary and speech writer who served about six of the state governors in that rare capacity described the Governor as a strategist. Alhaji Aminu Ebong, a journalist in the State acknowledged him as the best thing to happen to the State at a time like this. Publisher of Radar newspaper, Chief Franklyn Isong acknowledged Governor Udom’s accomplishments and complemented him particularly for citing projects in his area. A flurry of views resonated in favour of the man who in the course of deftly tackling questions others would have feared to confront said, “I want to assure Akwa Ibom people that you have a governor who is on top of all situations”. Many admitted that it was not an idle boast as he proved in all ramifications that he is indeed the right man for the season and actually on top of all situations.

Joe Iniodu is a public affairs analyst

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