Tuesday 8 July 2014

A’Ibom: A home away from home for corps members BY CHOLLOM ISTIFANUS DALYOP

Akwa Ibom State, South-South Nigeria, with a population of about 4.9 million people, and a land mass of 8,412sq km. was created on September 23, 1987 under decree 24 of that year, by the military regime of General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida. This came following about six decades of quest for political and social emancipation of the people, who are mainly Ibibios, Annang, Oron.

By all accounts and considerations, the creation of Akwa Ibom State has been a dream come true for the people, who have continued to cherish the euphoria which greeted that first proclamation. In rising to the challenges of their new political status they have ensured a prosperous State, which has today come to serve as a model to the Nigerian society.

The people of Akwa Ibom are culturally homogeneous, with a common identity and linguistic heritage, which are unifying factors. These factors have encouraged unity through cross boundary trades and inter-ethnic marriages. These practices have fostered harmony and are bases for the    sustained peace in the State.

Akwa Ibom State as a reservoir of wealth and potentials in the nation, plays host to multi-nationals, private and other such public establishments and concerns like Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited, Universal Energy, Ibom Power Plant, Ibom airport, Total E and P, among others, which provide a ready employment market for Nigerians and other nations

It is like a beautiful bride beckoning on tourists, investors in mineral resources and agro-based industries. With clement weather and fertile land, the state’s fond sobriquet: “land of promise”, is not misplaced. The state holds a promise of excitement and wealth creation, through the hospitable disposition of its people which had made its salivating cuisines, exotic culture; arts and craft. These peculiar endowments have been lavished upon Nigeria’s South fringes.

The uni-cultural nature of the state, where names, taboos, customs and traditions are the same, makes it unique society.

Akwa Ibom State has since inception had nine (9) Governors both in the military and civilian regimes. According to the testimonies of the people, the present administration led by His Excellency Dr. Godswill Obot Akpabio, has been most rewarding with its uncommon  transformation initiative. With the free and compulsory education programme in the state, there are neither boundaries nor tribal disparities, as the Governor has seen to it that the entire nation is captured in the initiative. Indeed, every Nigerian child, resident in the state, is  entitled to attend school in Akwa Ibom state, free of charge.

The uncommon transformation has succeeded in producing life-touching projects in the nooks and crannies of the state. The projects which include:- modern road network, five flyovers, state-of-the-art general hospitals, international airport, international stadium, Ibom tropicana complex, free medical services to the less privileged and the aged, the ultra-modern Government House, Ibom E-Library and bridges.

For adequate security of life and property, the government has in no little measure funded security agencies which has ensured that, the state is safe for all. This is evidenced in the all-year safety of Corps members serving in the state under the National Youth Service Corps Scheme.

In furtherance of the Federal Government’s policy to enhance unity, people of all backgrounds and culture are brought together to appreciate the values of the state’s diverse cultural heritage. Akwa Ibom State has been exemplary on this note through the conducive environment it has offered corps members to appreciate and explore, from its wealth of rich cultural uniqueness, as well as provided various welfare packages to encourage and facilitate their stay.

The NYSC programme, which has also helped in creating entry-level jobs for many Nigerian youths, is tenable and robust in Akwa Ibom State where hard working and outstanding corps members are usually retained and absorbed into the state civil service.

The uncommon transformation of Governor Akpabio has provided home-away-from-home for corps members serving in Akwa Ibom. With a conducive environment, they are able to learn new skills, improve on themselves and better interact with the people of the and other Nigerians.

It is little wonder that Akwa Ibom state receives high number of corps members posted there. The encomiums showered on Governor Godswill Akpabio, who has created this conducive environment through the proper implementations of life- touching government policies and programs is quite commendable and well deserved.

Other aspects that have distinguished many corps members serving in AkwaI bom  from other states is the practical involvement in organizational responsibility in their various places of primary assignment. What is more?  Corps members who get married to their indigenes are often celebrated as a show of the people’s commitment to national unity and integration.

The good relationship existing between corps members and the State Government cannot be over-emphasized. However, it is hoped that the remaining tenure of Governor Godswill Akpabio shall be more rewarding to corps members in the state. This could be done by raising the state allowance paid to corps members to a level commiserate with the average living standard in the state.

-Chollom is a batch B Corps member serving in the Akwa Ibom State
Ministry of Information & Communications

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