NDUESE ESSIEN ON THE MOUNTAIN TOP

On Saturday October 11, 2014, at Eket Sports Stadium, Rt. Hon. (Chief) Nduese Essien will be treated to a civic reception, as his people, go tell it to the mountain, and all ears what their hero has accomplished for them. By the way, GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN, a novel written by author James Baldwin, narrates the course of the fourteenth birthday of John Grimes in Harlem, in 1935.

Using extended flashback episodes, Baldwin recounts the lives of John's parents and aunt, spanning a transition of this urban boy in the North to his slave grandmother in an earlier South. The work is a semi-

autobiographical novel, which examines the role of the Christian Church in the lives of African-Americans, both as a source of repression and moral hypocrisy and

as a source of inspiration and community. It also, more subtly, examines racism in the United States, and the struggle of the black race for political and socio- economic equity.

I find curious symmetry between Baldwins novel, its religious, socio-cultural, political and economic anecdotes and connotations, with the event to hold a Eket on the 11th of October 2014. Nigeria, South South and Akwa Ibom as a whole have been placed on notice, that from the mountain tops, Ekid people are about to tell the legend of their illustrious son. A statement signed by the Chairman of the planning committee, Chief Usoro I. Usoro, corroborates my position. Usoro disclosed that, the reception, organized by the Ekid People's Union (EPU), in conjunction with Eket Central Forum (ECF) provides “an ample opportunity for us to appreciate one of our leaders for his contributions to national development thus encouraging him as well as other leaders to do more in the future”. He further added that, “As a nation with dearth of heroes, we must

learn to appreciate our own, particularly those who do us proud at the national sphere. Even the almighty God appreciates gratitude and to

publicly acknowledge a leader's contribution to nation building is one way of showing gratitude."

I dare to anticipate that, this platform will be harnessed by the people of Eket Senatorial District to reinforce their quest for political fairness, equity and justice by insisting on power shift, for their zone to produce the Governor of Akwa Ibom state come 2015. Fortunately, Rt. Hon Essien, as the Chairman, Eket Federal Constituency Elders Forum, has been the arrow head, most consistent and unequivocal advocate for this clamour. He has largely succeeded, as the consciousness of zoning assumed a wild fire in harmattan dimension in the state.

His people, the entire state and indeed our nation, will hold their breath, for that moment he will give his address on the 'mountain top', his people have elevated him to. What will he say about the Niger Delta struggle for Resource control and fiscal Federalism? What will be his take on the plight of his oil bearing communities stricken by endless tales of neglect, oil spill, impoverishment, environmental degradation, economic marginalization and political emasculation.

Folks', you can now situate the socio-political correlation of the theme of Baldwin's narrative and the live of his protagonist, John and the burden Rt. Hon Essien is saddled with as the voice, hope and chief advocate of his people, a national patriot and statesman .

So, who is this man in the spotlight?
Born on February 2, 1944 in Nta Isip-Ikot Ibiok, Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Young Nduese started his Primary education at

Primary School, Usung Inyang Eket in 1950 where he obtained the First School Leaving Certificate Examination with Distinction in 1957. The Salvation Army Secondary School, Akai Ubium, was his next port of call in 1958 where he passed the WAEC with Grade Two in 1962. He proceeded to obtain a Higher School Certificate Examination (HSC) at St. Augustine Grammer School, Nkwere-Orlu, 1963-1964.

Chief Essien taught in several secondary schools before enrolling at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1969, where he graduated with a B. Sc. Honours in Business Administration in 1972.

Hon. Essien's working career dates back to the pioneer days of The Chronicle Newspaper, where

he started off as a Commercial Officer and later as Assistant Advertisement Manager.

He joined the College of Technology,
Calabar as a Lecturer In 1974, and by 1979 he resigned to set up a business consultancy practice. His successful managerial attributes saw to the

flourishing of his book marketing company, The Student care Services Limited, with head office in

Calabar, and branches in the University of Calabar, and the University of Uyo.

His political odyssey is equally interesting. In 1979 Hon. Nduese Essien became the Public

Relations Officer of the defunct National Party of Nigeria in Eket. He remained active in local politics, and in 1999 was selected as People's Democratic Party

(PDP) National Assembly candidate for Eket Federal Constituency, comprising, Eket, Onna, Esit Eket and Ibeno. He was accordingly elected, and in April 2003, after posting a stellar performance in the Federal House of Representatives, he was re-elected, for a second term in office and served until his tenure elapsed in May 2007.

During his first term, Nduese Essien became Pioneer chair of the South South Parliamentary Caucus, and was a member of Committees on Internal Affairs and

Women Affairs. As Caucus Chairman,
he initiated the first meeting of South South Governors with members of the National Assembly in March 2000 at Asaba in Delta States, and also led the caucus to campaign for the

establishment of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC; payment of derivation; abrogation of offshore/onshore dichotomy and

general sensitization of Nigerians on the plight of the oil producing states.

In 2003, he was appointed Chairman of the House Committee on Anti- Corruption, National Ethics and Values. He was also appointed Chairman of the Nigerian Chapter of the African Parliamentarians Network against

Corruption, and was later elected Regional Director in Charge of West Africa.

For the lack of space, I will not recount the various bills he co-sponsored, initiated or motions moved in the floor of the House. Neither will I highlight his tremendous achievements in terms of dividends to his constituents. Permit that I keep that for another day. But let me state without fear of contradiction that, as a parliamentarian, Chief Essien acquitted himself excellently and left an indelible mark on that plane.

After leaving office in 2007, he was a member of the National Technical Assessment Committee on the Niger Delta region. Following his 6 April 2010 appointment as Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, by then acting President Goodluck Jonathan, Hon. Nduese Essien identified land reform and provision of housing as key items in the administration's seven-point agenda. On 13 April 2010 he pledged to revamp decaying housing estates and to deliver 54,500 new houses within the next 10 months. His spectacular success in that vision, accounts largely for the commendable Housing roadmap and blueprint which continues to serve the nation.

Rt. Hon. Essien who also holds a Diploma in Marketing from the

Institute of Marketing, London, has attended several professional courses in Management Development and Training, Personnel Management, Public Relations and Conflict

Resolution. He is a member of the Nigerian Institute of Management and Chartered Institute of Administrators, and sits in the Governing Board of many blue chip companies and organizations. He has garnered so many Awards of Excellence and holds several Chieftaincy titles. Chief Essien is happily married to Chief (Mrs.) Eka Nduese and the union is blessed with three lovely children.

His latest triumphant herald back home, is inspired by his heroics as a member of the Akwa Ibom contingent to the recently concluded National Conference which was inaugurated by His Excellency, President Goodluck Jonathan, GCFR, on March 17, 2014.

Chief Nduese Essien and other Akwa
Ibom State delegates to the National Conference, vehemently protested against the recommendation of

the Conference to create "Oil Rivers State" from the present Akwa Ibom and Rivers states. Alongside former Governor Victor Attah, Rt Hon. Essien made fervent case for the retention of Akwa Ibom State as it is presently constituted. That was a show of strength that endeared him to his people and Akwa Ibom as a whole. He would not succumb to blackmail or the underhand tactics of forces, who seek to balkanize the Land of Promise.

An erudite scholar, political activist, teacher and public speaker, Nduese has no doubt given the best of his years to public service, to God and to human kind. As a politician, Rt. Hon Nduese has displayed uncanny foresight, sterling courage in the face of tremendous odds, and administrative ability. His valour, legislative acumen and integrity would alone, ensure for him, lasting fame.

He has continued to demonstrate, as well as offer his people steadfast and inspired leadership in the context of their greatest challenges and has therefore captured the heart and imagination of his people who now roll out their drums to celebrate a hero and paragon of their pride. His place as one of the very greatest son of Ekid nation, Akwa Ibom state, South South and Nigeria is assured.