Because you are one of us: Tribute to Gov. Akpabio at 51 by Christy Edwards Usen-Akpan

I write today as a product  of history and a former leader of Nigerian students to pay tribute to a man who rose from a fairly modest background to champion an inspiring legacy for Akwa Ibom State and for my generation. Governor Godswill Obot Akpabio, CON, has become an icon of this generation, a champion of uncommon transformation, a true leader and a dynamic manager of people, resources and processes. Nigerian students and former students’ leaders cannot but reckon with you; we are proud that you are one of us, being a former students’ leader yourself. 

Your Excellency, your administration has gone on record as the most student-friendly administration Akwa Ibom State has ever had. This administration’s student-friendly  policy interventions include, but are not limited to, the free, compulsory and qualitative education scheme, overhaul of school infrastructure in hundreds of primary and secondary schools across the state, infrastructural rehabilitation and support grants to the University of Uyo and other tertiary institutions in the state, take-off and scaled-up funding for the Akwa Ibom State University and consistent bursary and scholarship opportunities for students of the state origin, including grants and laptops to Akwa Ibom State students at the Nigerian Law School.

Your tenure has also seen the emergence of leading Akwa Ibom State students into prominent offices in the students and youth movement nationally. We have also witnessed the appointment of an unprecedented number of former student leaders to serve in political offices, a salutary trend in leadership development. 

In addition, the overall infrastructure and human capacity transformation of the state remains a solid legacy for the next generation, a fact that students appreciate, perhaps more than any other constituency, because, among the youth, the students are the elites. As a leader that recognizes and prioritizes the role of students, you deserve the gratitude of the students’ movement. As students’ and former leaders, we owe Your Excellency our solidarity and support as you pilot the Uncommon Transformation train through this era of political transition. As young leaders, we are concerned about the political future of our state, because if anything goes wrong, it is our future that is at stake. 

One of my greatest reasons for excitement is that your birthday holds on the wings of the 16 Days of Action on Violence against Women, which is usually celebrated the world over from November 25th to December 10th every year to draw attention to the violation of women’s Rights at home, at school, at work and on the streets. When several years ago, we were laying the foundations of the Nigerian Female Students Leadership Forum; our mission was to build the capacity of girls and young women in our campuses as champions of social change and their own rights. In the past, students’ and youth leadership used to be an all-men affair. Today I am happy to see that the girls and young women are not just ably represented in the movement but more so in leadership capacities. Through laws, policies and the composition of your administration, you have shown that you are a champion of women’s rights. I am a living testimony of your investment in the development of women. Our young men in the students’ movement have a huge lesson to learn from our Governor. 

In making these remarks, I cannot fail to appreciate the role of the wife of the Governor, Her Excellency Mrs. Ekaette Unoma Akpabio, a woman who has not only personally mentored me in diverse areas, but has also taken under her wings, the entire Nigerian students movement in Akwa Ibom State. She intervenes during critical junctures to ensure that conflicts are amicably resolved, and that the younger generation stays focused and politically mobilized for their present and future leadership roles. We remain ever grateful, ma’am. When the history of this state is finally written, one of the most important chapters will be reserved for her roles not only in supporting the father of uncommon transformation but also in leaving her own compassionate legacies in the hearts of our people. We remain grateful to this Amazon.

At 51, Your Excellency, yours is a rendezvous with history, a tryst with destiny and a messianic pact with mankind. In all these, you stand tall as a first among equals. By your exemplary leadership, you have vindicated Frantz Fanon who once quipped: “Each generation must, out of relative obscurity, discover its mission, fulfill, or betray it.” Yes, you are indeed fulfilling your mission. But above all, you have challenged the rest of us, to do likewise, if not more. Because you are one of us, Your Excellency, we are indeed inspired to stand up for our generation, following in your footsteps!