The Lyrics of Akpabio’s Unbridled Success

Music, they say, is an important part of a people, making a significant impact on their daily living. According to William Shakespeare in his famous Twelfth Night, “If music be the food of love, play on, give me excess of it, that surfeiting the appetite may sicken, and do die. That strain again, it has a dying fall”.

So inspiring is the effect of music that be it at parties, burials, worship, dedications or banquets, music's place remain unchallenged.

A friend Uwem Udoh once made mention of a certain king who invited a renowned musician to entertain at a banquet organized for tourists who visited his kingdom.

These tourists were treated to a particular melody, which the musician rendered again and again, making use of a particular string of his guitar. When the tourists demanded to know why that particular string of the guitar was played over and over again, the king disclosed that the string in question had won an award and that other kings were searching in vain to discover this particular string.

In Nigeria, while other states of the federation are searching and praying for the likes of Chief Godswill Akpabio, Akwa Ibom people consider themselves blessed and lucky to have a Governor with qualities that others desire in a leader. This is a leader whose vision for a greater Akwa Ibom State is unparallel. Of course, his developmental strides and interest in the welfare of the people he governs is legendary.

All are living witnesses to the tact and maturity with which he has handled the affairs of governance in the state since assumption of office in May, 2007. The zeal he has put into the completion of projects initiated by his predecessor has paid off and has singled him out as a selfless, unbiased, pragmatic and the pride of Akwa Ibom State. This is evident in his lofty policies, programmes and projects, generally considered as the best for a people who overwhelmingly gave him the mandate to govern.

Under him, history was made on September 23, 2009, when the Akwa Ibom State International Airport, completed by him, received her first ever flight, and since then the state has remained opened to the outside world, with domestic and some international flight operations recorded. The Independent Power Plant, the Free and Compulsory Education Policy, the Child Right Act, the pioneer Fly-Over projects in the state, the dualization of a section of Calabar-Itu Federal Highway and many other roads network across the state, effective health-care delivery system, sustainable human capital development programmes, rural water and electricity schemes, his resolute stand on Unity and Security and the execution of over 3000 rural-based projects, stand tall to the credit of a focused and dynamic Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio.

Man of the people indeed, Chief Akpabio has stood on the shoulders of democracy to re-unite the history of Akwa Ibom and set the pace for uncommon development that the people will never remain the same again, in just three years of the first term of his administration. Mentioning those projects would suffice later.

Actually, Chief Godswill Akpabio has been receiving awards from different organizations, the media and individuals from within and outside Nigeria. In as much as he is not a stranger to awards, there is something different about the national honour of Commander of the Order of Niger (CON) on him by President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday November 14, 2011.

A country craving for meaningful economic growth and quality leadership in the 21st century could not have been wrong to collectively agree to appreciate a man who has restored the dignity of Akwa Ibom people and who has set the pace for uncommon transformation for his people.

For this, different Akwa Ibom people have described Governor Akpabio in different superlatively glowing terms, and conclude that he is God's special and timely gift to the people of the state.

According to Chief Akpabio Udo Ukpa the Paramount Ruler of Onna, there is an air of fulfillment and satisfaction in the state because the Governor, Chief Akpabio was doing all that he was supposed to do for the state, restoring the dignity of Akwa Ibom. To Mr Bassey Nkanang the President General of Afigh Iwaad Ekid, a foremost socio cultural youth organization in the Eket Federal Constituency, the award was well deserved and a recognition for his selfless service and performance.

On his part, the International President of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio, Akparawa Nse Ubeh, the National award on Chief Akpabio coming from Mr. President himself was an indication of the fact that the whole Nigeria has acknowledged the governor's performance, thus the whole country was honouring him via that award.

Chief Jerry Okpo an opinion leader in the State said that the governor was detribalized and focused adding that as a mark of his ability to unite the entire state, Chief Akpabio has “littered all parts of Akwa Ibom with development projects and other physical presence” an indication that the right man was on the throne.

Also, a friend to the governor, Sylvester Okonkwo, described and categorized Chief Akpabio among the crop of leaders that can take Nigeria to the promise land “with commitment to purpose, passion and love for his people leading to the meteorically transformation of Akwa Ibom.”

Indeed, from the realities on ground in Akwa Ibom, Governor Akpabio's achievements are arresting, stupendous and colossal. From an international airport to an e-library via good roads and flyovers, the story is clear, in pictures and in words. A reflection on the free and the compulsory education, free medi-care to the aged, pregnant women and the young, even additional month salary to civil servants in the state, among other government programmes and projects, shows that Governor Akpabio, prior to May 29, 20o7 read the problems of the state correctly, and pronto, tackled them adequately.

He has appropriately committed resources in projects and programmes that has not only made every Akwa Ibom person to be proud of his state of birth, but also take the state to assume the status of a delightful destination for tourists and even investors.

A developer and statesman, Chief Akpabio has ultimately succeeded in preparing Akwa Ibom for global competitiveness.

So, a meritorious recognition from Mr President to a premier of modern development, is just immaculate. On his part, Governor Akpabio himself has already assured that he will only be spurred by the national recognition to do more for his people.

In reaction to this deserving honour on a man commonly called the promise keeper, the people of the state in their kinds have yielded to the drums of celebrations; from the hills of Ibiono, the Mountains of Obot Akara to the arable land of Oruk Anam, the coastal planes of Oron to Eastern Obolo, echoes of drumbeats of joyous music are sounding for the new Commander of the Order of the Niger.

And if your voice is as good as mine, then we could do a duet with the popular lyrics of this song “Akpabio You too Much O, u Three Much O, we salute you Oh.”

Essien Ndueso writes from Uyo,Aks