In recent times, I have been caught pondering on how good leadership can help build for me and my people good legacies, which would make governance, just what it should be. I have also just like John F. Kennedy, who in his inaugural speech of 20th Jan., 1961 said “…think of what you can do for your country” I thought I would never stop thinking.
I have chosen to stop thinking because for more than ten years, I have been on the line of thinking and it is time for me to do my thinking. Someone just chuckled about what my thinking could be; yes I am now committed to building bridges that will make governance work.
Often than not I get to imagine how ingratitude can make a leader stay off sacrifices and have come to the conclusion that if men were a bit more appreciative, life on its own would be better. Until they do, we would do more to have selfless leaders who would pay no mind to gratification.
The uncommon leadership feat of Chief Godswill Akpabio in Akwa Ibom State readily comes to mind, in setting standards for good leadership. These, many from far and near have attested to, as an attribute that informs his choices of who to work with, since a lion can never court a goat.
In all of my knowledge of leadership, there has never been a more conscious effort at putting the people first and doing all to ensure their welfare is prioritized, than the Akpabio example. These are unlearneable feats since success by all its functions can only be contagious to a man who has a dominant gene to succeed.
I have at all times seen a people caught in the line of rebellion against leadership, this has gone on for such a long while, never have I seen an endorsement with massive affirmation as the wind of turn ups currently blowing round Abak federal constituency, as it concerns the National Assembly seat of the area.
Known for a doctrinal culture of ensuring that this position rotates through the three local governments of Abak, Etim Ekpo and Ika, nothing, save for place of origin has ever been a consideration. This has in no little measure contributed to why the area has been thus far been under-represented. Since everyone goes there with the consciousness it was their turn.
How sudden this “turn” mindset has changed is a clear pointer that the people have come to reckoning with the truth, that we can not keep doing the same thing and expect a different result. They have chosen to take a different drive in the quest for leadership, because Abak federal constituency must regain its lost glory.
Era in – era out, we have been living in admiration of representatives other people voted in, and as expected of an unprepared leader, our representatives also live in such admiration of their colleagues who are in the real business of legislation.
We have not only been relegated, but our identity seems taken as our footing in the national circle has been reduced to a mere making of numbers, this of the truth was never our cravings, in this relaunch agenda, I feel elated that the peoples eyes have been so opened to the yearnings of the 21st century leadership.
In what now is a clear departure from what the existing practice used to be, the people has established a new premise in the choice of leaders. It is no longer business as usual, it is now an exclusive preserve for performers and achievers, people with successful private and public lives, not any longer an all comer affair.
Little wonders the thunderous call on the Akwa Ibom Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr. Aniekan Umanah, who is not only seen to do well on his current engagement, but has kept a successful track in all his endeavour.
This and many more were the testimonies from a conversation with a man who told me how much of a blessing Aniekan has been for the people of Abak, and how everyone expects to have him join the House of Representatives race in 2015, to illuminate the dark ends of the federal constituency’s concern.
From all that is known of Abak federal constituency, they have got it all, but have never had a representative with such outstanding records as that which Mr. Aniekan Umanah to the amity of the people, flaunts. The records has not only spoken for itself, but has lured others who believed less in good leadership to the consciousness of putting the people first.
Representatives in past may have had the passion for doing good, but lacked the experience, Aniekan Umanah, in the area of experience would hold the place spell bound, since he is already experienced at lobbying and attracting a lot of government concerns to his people, he also understands how to get the attention of the powers to the benefit of all and sundry, as a journalist.
He holds a lead passion for empowering his people, this he has meticulously done even while in the private sector. His sustained record in empowerment has shown in the number of businesses he has helped to stand and the number of families he has assisted.
Sometimes I want to ask why he never came all along, but this questions always brings to the fore, God’s place in every of our propositions. He really was meant for a time like this; a time when hope was lost, a time when the status quo had become the order of the day, a time when change was the only thing.
It is uncommon to have a man do the much Umanah has done, and still walk round with compelling humility, the only time he looks down on a man is when he wants to pick him up, often I hear people pray he should look down on them. But how do you even notice he ever looks down on people, when he treats everybody with great respect, regardless of class.
His peaceable and serene disposition has made him a rallying point, for great and development conscious minds. No one in recent times grows to stardom without learning from the examples in silent achievement Umanah’s life offer.
Umanah’s zero tolerance to pettiness and divisiveness has made him the center point which the re-orientation, politics in Abak have taken, he believes it should be an all issues based deal, where creativity, credibility and merit is considered as the only criteria for leading the people.
His urbane and mien conduct, makes him the most approachable public servant in history. This is evidenced in his uncontestable readiness to receive whoever comes his way. Whoever doubts this should call at his residence or check his office, which is fast turning into a pilgrim ground.
I recently heard someone remark that Umanah should leverage on his philanthropic gestures, so as not to put others who will assume public office after him in trouble. I querried this remark, and the fellow retorted “the way he gives out cars like handshake has been unassuming and strange in this side of the divide”
The above statement called me to consciousness that in the history of Abak, there has never been a time the polity witnessed such brazen show of benevolence, as Umanah has constantly shown in the last six years. He has stepped up the game and has changed the rule that people must be poor to be loyal.
Make no mistake about this, a man who has done so much for his people cannot afford to turn down his people’s call on him to represent them at the green chambers of the National Assembly, the good thing with Umanah’s representation would be that he will not have to learn the ropes, as he is already abreast with what the challenges of his people over these years are.
His knowledge of communication will also be a plus. I can imagine him in his fluency and mastery of the daise, stepping up to address the floor of the National Assembly, the rapt attention that will characterize his presentations and the much mention and acclaim our federal constituency shall assume, with Aniekan Umanah in the National Assembly.
Truth be told; just like someone earlier remarked, if Aniekan Umanah was not contesting, I would still support Aniekan Umanah.
Samuel Ayara writes in from Ibong Otoro, in Abak Local Government Area.
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