There is an African Proverb which says that when a woman is exceptionally beautiful, she attracts the eyes of several suitors, and it is that suitor who possesses the most panache and material disposition that might win her heart. There comes a time in the life of a man when his ability and pedigree present scintillating attributes too good to resist by all and sundry.
This appears to be presently true of Mr Udom Emmanuel, former Executive Director in the Board of Zenith Bank Plc, who is currently the Secretary to Akwa Ibom State Government. This astute financial administrator cum politician is currently being eyed and persuaded by the ruling People’s Democratic Party PDP in Akwa Ibom and other senior citizens to heed the called on him by Akwa Ibom people to contest the 2015 gubernatorial election in the state, and occupy the Hilltop Mansion.
His transparency, honesty, and high moral integrity in his days as the manager of investors relations in Nigeria has helped launder the image of Nigeria, and reposition the country to attract foreign investor who are flocking Nigeria today seeking for opportunity to invest. The international community recognized his unprecedented efforts in making Nigeria very lucrative for investors. Udom Emmanuel; throughout his professional journey in the biggest private financial institution like Zenith Bank had the opportunity to have enrich himself and become one of the richest men in Africa, but he chose transparency, and has left no one in doubts with his honesty, integrity and a shining example of excellence which is needed to move our state forward.
It is these startling qualities of the man that are now his greatest assets as he joins the bid for 2015 Governorship contest in AkwaIbom state. Apart from his high moral disposition, Udom Emmanuel is a powerful force in terms of articulation of ideas; he is equally gifted in recruiting the best brains to drive such ideas. As a consummate politician, Udom is a smooth operator who is not disposed to flamboyance lifestyle. He is a strong advocate of better life for all, and a stunt believer in equality for all.
Udom’s idea and approach to governance is that of service to the people, he is a very contented person who believes that better lifeis not exclusively reserved for few. As a true Christian, he understands the biblical injunction that says; “love thy neighbour as yourself”. Most times he wondered why he should park 3 cars in his car park while his neighbours are trekking which he described as being greed with God’s blessing.
His honesty and integrity stands him out as the preferred candidate by all Akwa Ibomites at home and in the Diaspora to occupy the Hilltop Mansion of Akwa Ibom state come 2015. Put Udom Emmanuel in a scale with all other politicians who want to succeed Governor Akpabio, none can measure close to Udom in terms of intellectual capacity, resourcefulness, and entrepreneurial spirit that will drive industrialization in this state.
The leadership of the PDP both at the state and National level have acknowledged the efficiency of the SSG to make the state and the Party proud as the next Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State. That was why the National Chairman of the ruling PDP could not just hid his feelings of appreciations on the quality of the SSG during the recent ground breaking of the state PDP secretariat in Uyo as he gives some words of encouragement to the SSG. Indeed, Udom Emmanuel is a beautiful bride for leadership and governance that is desired by all to have him at the helm of affairs.
His impressive performance in the private sector has left no one in doubt about his ability and capacity to give Akwa Ibom state the best and most rewarding leadership ever, the confidence that many people have in him has further ignited his doggedness to explore his wide connections and financial intelligence to salvage the economy of the state. These must have been the propelling factors that endeared him to the heart of the Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio.
Leadership is about vision and direction, take these two away then there is no leadership. Today in Akwa Ibom State, Governor Akpabio stands as a leader who is visionary and should be in the best position to give direction while the people under him both small and big should follow his direction. It does not matter the direction a leader want his people to follow, the most important thing is for people to develop faith and follow their leader. A good leader should be able to see beyond the present, but should have an insight into the future which is exactly what the governor is doing.
Even though the governor might have groomed and empower some people so that they will take over from him and continue from where he will stop, there is nothing wrong with the governor having assessed their individual capacity to change his mind and go for a better option which is Udom Emmanuel. The governor is not a static leader; his duty is to show direction for people to follow, and make changes which is constant in life where necessary.
Those who are fighting and opposing Governor Akpabio because of his support for Udom Emmanuel should have a rethink, and remember what happened to Miriam and Aaron when they raised against Moses their leader because of an Ethiopian woman Moses brought. For that reason Miriam was stroked with leprosy, and was send away from the camp for eight years. They said; hath the Lord indeed spoken only by Moses? Hath he not spoken also by us? For this reason Miriam was stroked with leprosy, and was send away from the camp for eight years, and that delayed their movement to the promise land. This is the same question some mischief makers are now asking in Akwa Ibom; why Governor Akpabio brought Udom Emmanuel? But they forget that Udom Emmanuel has been around serving Akwa Ibom and Nigeria in another capacity. It is true that the appointment of Mr Udom Emmanuel as SSG have exposed him to many people and clearly showcased his expertise in governance, it is also a known fact that for years now, Udom has been around working with Akwa Ibom people.
Like God said to Aaron and Miriam of old, the same goes to the Aaron’s and Miriam’s of today in Akwa Ibom, “if there be a leader (prophet) among you, I the Lord will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream”. Truly, the Lord has made his plans and the future of Akwa Ibom state known to the Governor being a visionary leader of this state that Udom Emmanuel is the answer and the right direction that all should follow in 2015;why some people are now complaining? Certainly, God knew that the happiness, peace, progress, and prosperity of Akwa Ibom people lie in Udom Emmanuel.
Currently in Akw aIbom state, Udom Emmanuel is the only man perfectly fitted into the uncommon transformation drive of the present administration which is geared towards industrialization and job creation. As a man who believe that Akwa Ibom People deserves the best, he is leaving no stone unturned in a bid to explore the enormous potentials abound in the state that will help drive the proposed industrialization. With these; the SSG is convinced that the teeming youths who are rooming the streets of Uyo without employment can be gainfully employed.
This is a man who thinks about the welfare and wellbeing of Akwa Ibom people always, he gets disturbed seeing people who supposed to be mentally engaged so that they can be useful to themselves being jobless. He believes that creating jobs for the youths will take their mind away from crime. To actualize his vision for an industrial driven Akwa Ibom, Udom Emmanuel have earmarked some industries that will be attractive and rewarding in Akwa Ibom state. His vision for Akwa Ibom is to launch the state into the global marked and boosts entrepreneurial development that will encourage small and medium scale enterprises in the state.
The time has come for the people of Akwa Ibom state to rise up and secure our collective destiny by supporting Udom Emmanuel who is honest and transparent, whom we can trust with our future for the collective good of all. Truly, Udom is the answer in Akwa Ibom state come 2015. Mr Right, carry go! For those who are with you are so much more than those against you.
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