WHEN '88' LAWYERS STOOD STILL FOR AKPABIO

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GOVERNOR GODSWILL AKPABIO OF AKWA IBOM STATE IN A HANDSHAKE WITH THE ACTING CHAIRMAN OF ICPC, BARR. EKPO NTA, DURING THE OCCASION IN AKWA IBOM.

To say that Akwa Ibom state has become the destination of choice in Nigeria is stating the obvious. The Governor Godswill Akpabio Administration has continued to attract the attention of Nigerians, and foreigners alike, from all walks of life. Most epoch making events in the country must have a taste and drink deep from the Akwa Ibom unique infrastructural accomplishment, hospitality and ambience to fully appreciate the import of the Akpabio’s uncommon transformation strides.

The roll call is legion. From the political scene, judiciary, the academia, business, non- governmental organisations, religious bodies, entertainment sector, sports; it has been one visit after the other. They don’t just come for their business but often take time out to savour the uniqueness in which this administration has approach governance, and often conclude in their remarks that there is still hope for the Nigerian state if every hand, permit the cliché, is on deck.

From the number one man in Nigeria, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, his wife Dame Patience Jonathan, co- governors, senate retreat, judicial conference, Union of Journalists convention, Christian Association of Nigeria’s only national executive meeting outside Abuja, the Nigerian Nobel Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka among many others, it has been an outpouring of accolades and celebration of a man who came into governance with a clear insight on how to pull his people, once derided as only being capable of doing domestic chores, out of the doldrums into a world of confidence, competitiveness, ambition and focus for the biggest pie in the land.

And so it was recently, when the Nigerian Law School Class 1988, referring to the batch of graduands from the Nigerian Law School, Lagos stormed Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, for their third reunion meeting and to witness the records of accomplishments of one of their own, Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Chief Godswill Akpabio. It was the same avalanche of appreciations and accolades that were heaped on the administration for bringing the once backwater state to the frontlines of states which are working hard to be on speed with the verge of meeting the millennium development goals, MDGs, a major development index designed by the United Nations for developing economies.

Led by the Chairman of the Class 88, Rt. Hon. Chief Chibudom Nwuche, former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representative, the class, with the array of personalities such as the former Senate President and current secretary of the federal government, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, the governor of Lagos state, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), Senator Liyel Imoke, governor of Cross River state, Senator Joy Emordi, a former Senator from Anambra state and a presidential aide, among many others. The august visitors couldn’t help but pour eulogies on one of their own for making them proud in his serious efforts to transform his state, connect the people , feel their pulse and act in line with their yearning for good and responsible governance.

It was indeed a special day for Akwa Ibom. So it was for the State Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio who was celebrated by his guests for his pace-setting development he has brought for his people, his revolution in infrastructural and human capacity development, and his capacity to give the state and its people a new image and confidence to approach issues in the Nigerian state as equal stakeholders. This is in tandem with Ralph Waldof postulation on developing leadership and building confidence in a citizen when he said ‘ provide physical and moral platform for the people and you would have raised world beaters.’

Chairman of the NLS Class’88, Chief Nwuche described Chief Akpabio as a great achiever and a pride to Class ’88 particularly for turning Akwa Ibom to a destination, explaining that the purpose of their reunion was to create and assess their impact in the society. ‘You have done very well, Your Excellency. You have done us proud. On behalf of the class, I say congratulations and keep doing the good work. Posterity would remember the good works you have done for the people of Akwa Ibom state,’ he said.

For Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, secretary to the government of the federation, he specifically described as fulfilling the battle for the abolition of the on-shore-off-shore oil dichotomy as more funds have now accrue from the federation account to the affected states for meaningful development. According to him, ‘ without the abolition, some governors would not be able to execute some development programmes in their states.’

Continuing he said ‘ but let me say, whenever Godswill Akpabio speaks and recounts the flyovers, the roads, among others, with what I saw, I am happy that the battle was not in vain. I think one of the achievement of Akpabio is this Akpan story. You can agree with me that it is very difficult to get a house boy or girl from Akwa Ibom now.’

For the Lagos State Governor, Raji Fashola (SAN), he saw a soul mate in Chief Godswill Akpabio, when in seeing the underground pipe-jacking project in Uyo, the e-library and the infrastructural amenities, describe Akpabio’s approach to development as radical and declared him a miracle worker and a governor whose foresight, dexterity and hands-on approach to governance, Nigerians should not stop tapping from, in getting things done. He also praised the Akwa Ibom governor for the provision of good roads, medical services to children, pregnant women and the elderly, compulsory education, saying that those legacies would make the governor to be remembered for a very long time.

‘ I truly admire Governor Akpabio,’ he said, adding ‘these are people this country needs in our present level of development needs. We need men of foresight; men who would think out of the box and men who are passionate enough to make the difference in their environment and area of influence,’ Governor Fashola, popularly called BRF, said.

All the speakers who spoke during the reunion dinner at the newly built state of the art banquet hall at government house, Uyo, were unanimous that Governor Akpabio, since emergence as the chief executive of Akwa Ibom state had commenced a revolution which has excited the imagination of the people, and has aptly been described as uncommon. He has been celebrated both far and wide for being resolute in bringing development to the state.

They unanimously referred to the numerous turn-key projects Akpabio has executed since he assumed the mantle of leadership in Akwa Ibom State as laudable. Apart from the more than 290 roads including federal roads spanning over 1000 kilometres, the flyovers and bridges, The Ibom International Airport, The six new General hospitals and other rehabilitated ones, the new ultra modern specialist clinic and referral centre, the 4000 rural projects in the state, the governor’s free and compulsory education programme which is enshrined in the state’s Child Right and Protection Law of 2008. The law prescribes imprisonment term for offenders, especially those that send children to hawk during school hours makes it even more appealing.

The legal luminaries who came from all parts of the country were particularly thrilled with the imposing edifice, the e-library agreeing that it was the first of its kind in the country and would be capable of enriching knowledge and helping research which the country needs at this point of our national development. The Tropical entertainment centre is also a major attraction for the influx of people to the state.

When he mounted the rostrum for his remarks, Governor Akpabio thanked his classmates for turning out in large numbers for the reunion meeting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom and urged them to use any opportunity of their visit to become transformation agents in the country. He attributed his modest effort to his burning desire to make a change in the life of his people and show them that government can work.

The symbolism of that visit and endorsement effectively closed one of the channels to which the army of Akpabio traducers gorge themselves of their unenviable and self-assigned task in hounding a performing governor. In response to all these, the governor could only reply, ‘If fairness is introduced to humanitarian duties,your name would written in gold. This is what has made Akwa Ibom successful... Your projects must create impact on the people who would make use of such and definitely the projects would not be forgotten.’

But, is the governor deterred? Of course not. Rather, like he said a few days earlier, when Magistrates from all over the country were in Uyo for their 2012 Annual General Meeting, that the zeal to continue to provide quality infrastructure and services to Akwa Ibom people was informed by his desire to transform the state into a choice destination, a tourist delight and a major economic hub in the Gulf of Guinea.

It is clear from the performance of Chief Godswill Akpabio that the state has truly become Nigeria’s choice destination. It has become a conference and retreat location. Week after week, new groups keep coming to savour the benefits of good governance. This can only come from a focused and people-oriented leadership. Let God’s will continue to be done!

Written By Sunny Akak

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