Thursday, 2 October 2014

OBA: Leadership and the future of A’ Ibom BY AMOS ETUK

OBA: Leadership and the future of A’ Ibom BY AMOS ETUK

“The true leader serves people, serves their best interests, and in doing so will not always be popular, may not always impress. But because true leaders are motivated by loving concern than a desire for personal glory, they are willing to pay the price”
     -Eugene B. Habecker

A leader’s first responsibility is to define reality and as he progresses, he becomes a servant of the people, understanding the challenges and preparing for the task to serve.
A good leader inspires confidence on the people, shapes character for greater results as this remains the indelible mark that determines the only true value of all people and all their mark.

A leader’s character is the firm foundation stone upon which one must build to win respect; it is built and sustained by choice, courage and determination.
A great leader is the man whose competence is not in question as his service records have proven to be able to speak on the achievements which the people must have the opportunity to assess and endorse as a great choice.
As the countdown to the primaries of the Governorship election gains more momentum, the people of Akwa Ibom State in recent times have overwhelmingly accepted to support a credible and widely acceptable personality that would ensure a smooth baton exchange at the end of the present administration next year.

In walking along the path of this choice, Obong Bassey Albert has been singled out as the leader whose sterling qualities, competence and other distinguished characteristics puts him as the apex  choice to be a worthy successor to the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio.

Bassey Albert Akpan brings to service a visionary leadership that has seen possibilities before they become obvious and translating it to reality.

The Book of Proverbs 29:18 states that “Where there is no vision, the people perish’’ and as we usher the industrialization era into Akwa Ibom State, the mantle of excellence to propel the state in achieving its new set of targets in the next dispensation is focused on men of integrity, men of courage, men whose steps walk the path of renaissance, men who have set out on a mission to serve, lead and bring change upon our dear state.

Bassey Albert Akpan represents the humility the people of Akwa Ibom State craved for, a man whose close contact with the people remains highly cherished .He represents the new bridge between the younger generation and the elders, he represents that perfect characteristic of a dynamic leader who knows his beat effectively having been to every ward in the State in the discharge of his duties in the seven years he served the state as Finance Commissioner.

For Bassey Albert Akpan, the leading governorship hopeful for Akwa Ibom State remains a leader who possesses integrity, remains honest, trustworthy and a model shepherd as God’s blessings have followed in all his endeavours as he adopts and sustains His vision at all times.

Across the thirty one Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State, the consultations of his campaign train, the Akwa Ubok Abasi 2015 Project remains the most popular at every stop, widely accepted and endorsed by various stakeholders. 

He remains the first governorship aspirant who emphatically went round all the thirty one Local Government Areas, meeting the people unveiling his vision for Akwa Ibom State and soliciting for support which remains a core advantage for this next generation leaders that have raised the standard of leadership high.
On the home front, the people of Ibiono Ibom local Government Area have shown an overwhelming solidarity, love and endorsement for Bassey Albert Akpan and the recent communiqué by elders and stakeholders from the area recognising only him as their sole candidate re-affirms his acceptance to lead the people of the state. 

OBA is prepared to lead Akwa Ibom State into the industrialization phase as his stewardship as Financial Commissioner for seven years has prepared him to implement the vision for the next transformation which beckons on Akwa Ibom State.

His commitment to eradicate poverty remains a milestone as he has repeatedly emphasized that human empowerment and capacity building will be a cardinal focus in his administration. His close contact with the people on a daily basis and his humane posture of endless benevolence continues to endear him to the people as it cuts across the three senatorial districts of the state breaking ethnic barriers.
His commitment to serve the people has ensured that his visits to every ward of the state including the riverine areas have made it possible for him to identify the challenges of the people on a first hand basis.

Bassey Albert remains a practical leader, he remains a great achiever who knows the terrain of leadership in Akwa Ibom State, he has been a strong partner of government even while working in the private sector and he remains a trail blazer in the new dawn that would usher a new successor for AkwaIbom State.

His focus to develop a vibrant economy in the state boosting the various sectors like Agriculture  for increased food production utilising mechanized farming to improve yield of crops, tourism which will be strengthened  to be another strong economic base for the state with endless possibilities of developing natural endowments and attractions, revitalizing  the educational sector to suit the needs of modern day AkwaIbom Children who represent the future of the state, development of small scale industries, provision of better health care facilities where the provision of quality health care and provision of modern facilities will be a stronger focus, ensuring a stronger and well catered  civil service structure to sustain the economy  and chart a new course for a stronger sports sector in the state.

Bassey Albert’s passion for sports remains a milestone for AkwaIbom State as he will be one of the best Governors in Nigeria whose commitment for sports development will be unprecedented and position AkwaIbom State among the comity of states with sporting successes.

The youths of AkwaIbom State have made a choice and taken a stand to endorse Bassey Albert Akpan as the next Executive Governor of the state. He remains a hero to this generation of leaders. He has distinguished himself in all duties and schedules assigned to him having risen to exalted heights in the private and public sectors and his vast experience of almost eighteen puts him in a better stead to be the obvious choice of the people of the state.

When Governor Godswill Akpabio brought him on board as a team player in his administration, he knew that Bassey Albert Akpan would be the engine room of his success story and he has watched with admiration the giant strides and achievements which OBA  has largely contributed in making his administration the best in the state so far.

That is why AkwaIbom State needs the best choice of experience who has over the years built strong bonds of relationships across the three senatorial districts and ethnic groups. That is why the basic experience of governance over the years puts Bassey Albert Akpan as an overwhelming choice of change and front runner in the next phase for good governance in the state and a strong, committed partner in the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan.

While speaking recently with some publishers and editors in the state, Bassey Albert Akpan spoke passionately on his vision to transform AkwaIbom State as the possibilities for greater investment opportunities must be utilized to re-position the state’s economic base.

His presence and dominance on the political terrain makes him a man of the people, his consultations have carried the people extensively as they voluntarily mobilise support for him to emerge as the next AkwaIbom State Governor.

For OBA, a leader after God’s heart, a leader widely celebrated, a leader walking according to Divine vision and direction, a leader who is favoured by God, a leader well prepared by God for the new journey, a leader filled with courage despite recent cheap blackmails  as he continues to triumph, a leader  anointed to lead the people to greatness, a leader filled with faith, a leader described as the light of the people, a beacon of hope and the face of the new AkwaIbom State, the time has come for you to finish this succession race in victory.
The challenge before you is surmountable. Your pace re
mains faster than the rest and in the world of athletics; you would have been described as a world record holder and a living legend. You have made a huge difference in governance not just in a year in public service but over seven years in public service and that is enough time for the people of our dear state to assess your sterling qualities as you have emerged the choice of the masses.

History is being written positively on your path, history is being written in gold as your name glitters, history beckons upon you to sit on the throne as the next successor, history favours your path to greatness and history will favour your administration.

OBA, your obedience to God’s call has set the pace, you have a brave heart, and you are a faithful leader that God has commissioned to lead His people.
When Moses died and God called on Joshua to lead the children of Israel to the promised land of their inheritance, he charged him not to be afraid of any man and be bold to possess his territory and be courageous in his strides ( Joshua 1 : 1-7).

God has destined Bassey Albert Akpan to accomplish His purpose. He has been strategically positioned to govern AkwaIbom State because of his faithfulness; the miracle of good governance will be sustained.

OBA remains an exceptional leader who has given himself whole heartedly to the new task assigned to him and like Joshua who obeyed God, the inheritance as the new mandate of AkwaIbom State is a prophecy that will surely come to pass on May 29, 2015. God bless the King.

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