By Innocent Okon
Since 1987, September has remained a month to remember by the various ethnic nationalities within a state in Nigeria known, called and addressed as Akwa Ibom. For the benefit of record-+minded ones, it was on the 23rd day of September in 1987 that a benevolent Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida while on the last page of his Presidential address to the nation which began at 7pm, announced the creation of Katsina and Akwa Ibom States! The city of Calabar in Cross River state, which Akwa Ibom was excised from that night and days that followed, lost her serenity to the spontaneous boisterous celebrations of Akwa Ibomites wherever they lived, walked and worked! Same verve of joy and ecstasy reverberated in Uyo which was announced as the new state capital. The new state was more than a political identity. It was the actualisation of a thwarted dream of many leaders whose ranks had been decimated by death and old age! From the history books, the struggle for a state to accommodate the dreams, aspirations and identity of the people of present Akwa Ibom dated back to the 1940s. The arrow heads of the agitation tasked themselves and taxed natural resources within their communities to invest in education in order to midwife a solid intellectual foundation that would provide the anchor for a sustainable knowledge-driven political entity. They divided themselves into professions and adopted unity as their motto.The pronouncement of September 23, 1987 was a priceless diadem for their sweat, tears and altruistic sacrifice for succeeding generations that would not be subsumed in the political cloud of dominant sub-nationals within the Nigerian nation state. As always, the ritual drums are going to be rolled out on September 23rd to celebrate the 37the anniversary of the birth of Akwa Ibom. I doubt if this year’s celebration will be low in key to reflect the palpable anguish, hunger and anger in the land precipitated by hyper-inflation. But even if that day fails to wear any modest toga, it will still provide germane period to examine how sincere both the leadership and followership score cards have fared.
It is an incontestable fact that the state has achieved a lot on the infrastructure front, which has catapulted Uyo, the state capital, from a rustic local government headquarters to an emerging cosmopolitan city. The democratically elected Governors since 1999 tried and are still trying to break new grounds! But there’s a disconnect which this year’s celebration must focus on as a matter of urgent public importance.
At 37, the citizens should not and must not see the few privileged public office holders in the political space as polymaths gifted with the midas touch! In building a modern state, mistakes are bound to be made. But such mistakes must be identified and corrected devoid of partisan ethnic colorations and political interests. It is not every project, programme and policy that must be applauded as products of rigorous intellectual engagement and economic masterstroke!
Between 1999 and 2007, Gov. Victor Attah initiated many projects which became pipe dreams. They included Amakpe Refinery, Rice farms and Science Park! The followership lauded the vision and paid little attention to their implementation! The succeeding government under the watch of Godswill Akpabio brought quality public infrastructure. And elevated philanthropy to the status of unwritten directive principle of state policy. His charisma and eloquence dumpfounded the followership and little or no question was asked about accountability and prudence in the deployment of public funds. Governor Udom Emmanuel came on board in 2015 and exited in 2023. It is now that the followership have mustered enough courage to rationalise the investment wisdom in building a Coconut Refinery instead of massive Palm oil plantations where Akwa Ibom has a comparative advantage! It is now that questions are raised on loud pitch to know where his propaganda-driven industries are located and products sold?
The new tenant in the Hilltop mansion as Akwa Ibom clocks 37 is Pastor Umo Eno. He comes with a development compendium christened ARISE AGENDA! So far, he is striving to complete inherited abandoned projects, and settle financial liabilities left behind by his predecessor. But as his administration gains acceleration, it is not too early for the followership to start asking pertinent questions. The courage to ask such questions must not luxuriate in hiatus until he exits in 2027 or 2031! This is the time to tell our Governor that Ibeno beach needs that proposed 3 or 4 star hotel more than Abuja. That a 19-storey Plaza in Lagos amounts to capital flight and economic servitude, no matter the canvassed commercial prospects! That infrastructural development in the education subsector should be holistic and not predicated on few model examples! That the machinery of governance in the state must be routinely lubricated with new personalities to achieve efficiency, sense of belonging, vigour and rigour!
At 37, Akwa Ibom should no more be a model Laboratory for leadership gymnastics and Artificial Intelligence programmed followership!
Okon, a journalist and lawyer, lives in Uyo
