He is perturbed by the plight of his people in Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency. He has the vision of how to improve their lot. Anchored on the fear of God and humanity, he visualizes the way out of the problems every now and then as he is set for the task if given the mandate in 2015.
Deacon Eshiet Offiong has taken a bold step to represent the good people of Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency to give them effective representation that would impact positively on their daily lives. He believes in politics as an essential tool for the development of the people and not for exploitation. This is what an American statesman, John Calhoun (1782-1850) meant when he said, “the very essence of a free government consists in considering offices as public trust, bestowed for the good of the country and not for the benefit of an individual or a party”. The 39th American president, Jimmy Carter was not different when he explained that “the essence of a good government is to have a nation with a government that is good and honest, decent and competent and compassionate and as filled with love as are the ——people”.
Offiong’s mission is to touch the very core of life of every Ukanafun/Oruk Anam indigene through honest, transparent, participatory and result –oriented leadership. This, he explained, will lift Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency from the abyss of poverty and under-development and bring back the lost glory and prosperity of the people. Given the past ugly experiences of the people, Offiong has cautioned that subjecting oneself to the directions and styles created by others is dangerous. He urged the people to create independent direction morally acceptable to generations to come.
On how he will go about changing the fortunes of the people of Ukanafun/Oruk Anam, he explained: “I am well aware of the yearnings and the desires of the people of Ukanafun/Oruk Anam federal constituency. I am equally aware of the fact that the federal government holds dearly to its heart the development of the constituency. Emancipation project shall augment the efforts of the state and federal governments in the areas of poverty alleviation, youth and women empowerment, job creation, creation of environment conductive for trade and other forms of legitimate economic activities. This, I will not deviate”.
Speaking further the aspirant explained that critical areas like education, rural infrastructural development, stimulating spirit of entrepreneurship through empowerment even as he would use his office to explore the existing national and international corridors to better the lot of his people.
Deacon Offiong is a man who has an eye on history, believing that people can change anything they want to, and that means everything is possible with team spirit. In his speeches, he has often pointed out that people have to come together and adjust to realities of change that are germane to global best practices and not circumscribed standard. In other words, if the rhythm of the drum beat changes, the dance step must adapt. Indeed, he is deeply touched by the level of poverty of his people as the majority who invest their support from time to time still shiver in rags, just as hardship has been their emblem. This can be changed if the people come together as an inimitable mass and fight their common enemy which is poverty-an astronomical sabbatical from the people’s envisaged Eldorado. This is what the late South African president emphasized when he pointed out that, “history has placed a challenge at both our doors and commands that acting together for our common good, we must, make an outstanding success of the historic process of transforming our society into a democratic, prosperous and peaceful society.”
To achieve this purpose, Offiong is a resourceful, result-oriented, marketing and management magnate of no mean repute. A widely traveled professional who has gathered top mercantile experience and exposure in business marketing development, Offiong worked in the downstream sector of the oil and gas industry marketing customer service/relationship for over 14 years.
Born some 48 years ago at Ikot Effiong in Ukanafun Local Government of Akwa Ibom State, Offiong holds a Master’s Degree in Management of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Between 1988 and 1992, he was at the University of Uyo where he obtained an honours degree in marketing. An old boy of the prestigious Holy Family College, Oku Abak, he attended the Redeemed Christian Bible College where he obtained a certificate in theology. He is an ordained man of God with exemplary lifestyle festooned with integrity.
Deacon Offiong did his National Youth Service at Thomas Gamble and Co, an audit firm in Kaduna State during the 1992/1993 service year. He had a stint as a business development and marketing manager at Akrosamic Investment Ltd in Lagos in 1994 before moving to Basic Resource Ltd as the Chief Executive Officer in that same year. In April 1995, he signed on at Unipetrol Nigeria Plc, an oil conglomerate that metamorphosed into OANDO Plc as an area sales executive. He later rose to the position of branch manager, and then divisional sales manager in charge of Northern operations.
This humble man who is known for impeccable character has been providing lifeline to the needy and the downtrodden. He has been a rallying point among friends and associates. This team-player’s genuine love for humanity transcends all perceived differences and has manifested in his robust relationship with people. It is this successful business man, marketing practitioner, administrator that is set on an “Apostolic work” to represent and redeem the good people of Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives in 2015.
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