Of Udoma Udoma’s epochal appointment

BY PRISCILLA CHRISTOPHER

One scholar once noted that for his years of faithful and unalloyed service to God and  humanity, he would not hesitate to get his advance payment here on earth while expecting to get the balance when he gets to heaven. This statement expresses his belief that inasmuch as one is expected to be diligent in his doings on earth, the rewards of such should also be expected accordingly. This belief has come to be fulfilled in the life of a son of Akwa Ibom’s soil, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma who was last week nominated a minister of the federal republic of Nigeria. 

The unofficial news which began as a rumour has attracted wide-spread reactions across borders with many seeing it as a welcome development that will not only benefit the Akwa Ibom people but Nigeria at large, giving Udoma Udoma’s vast experience, knowledge and posterity. 

A graduate of Oxford University and a member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Udoma lectured at the University of Lagos and founded Udo Udoma and Co (now Udo Udoma and Belo-Osagie) back in 1983.

Between 1999 and 2007, Udoma represented Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District in the National Assembly. As a rigorous lawmaker, he was appointed to Committees on public accounts, judiciary, banking and currency, science and technology, privatisation as well as drug and narcotics. 

After leaving the Senate, he was appointed Chairman of the governing board of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). He also served as Chairman of Union Bank, UAC, Director of Unilever and Vice-Chairman of the Board of Linkage Assurance.

Without digging further, it can be concluded that the astute patriot is not wanting in character and competence as one cannot attain such feats in life if he/she were lacking in such indelible features as transparency, accountability and reliability. 

Hardwork they say, begets success and success invariably yields fame, honour, and prestige. To those who choose hardwork, success is inevitable and to those who choose mediocrity, the opposite is sure to occur. These words have been made manifest in Udoma Udoma whose portfolio speaks of no blemish. 

Beginning his landmark achievement from his days as a lecturer, Sen. Udoma Udoma established himself within the University community in a couple of months and soon became known, while paying particular attention to all round objectivity, truth and fairness in his job.

In a world and dispensation as ours where management and leadership have become tools for oppression and suppression, and Directors take delight in maltreating their workers, Sen. Udoma was far from being sentimental when he served as the Chairman of Union Bank and Director of Unilever. His tenure was totally devoid of bias on any issue irrespective of who was being affected.
These are the reasons he is being recognised and awarded for his outstanding contributions to the development of Nigeria, and for being a legend for which upcoming leaders can learn from. 

Despite his well-known viable contributions to economic growth, Sen. Udoma has not been spared the maliciousness of some wrong-thinking members of the society who feel indicted by his actions. Over time, he has received threats and other negative signals spelling discouragement but howbeit, he has remained undaunted by such challenges. 

One endearing principle Sen. Udoma holds is that the worth of a man is not measured by how firm he stands in times of happiness but how firm he stands in times of great difficulties. This principle has kept him afloat every surmountable discouragement. 

It is worthwhile to note that his success story is tied directly to his teaming supporters-those who appreciate his endearing principles of transparency, accountability and reliability. Though a minor percentage of the society may frown, the majority have often expressed their unalloyed support for Udoma’s activities. 

Much as it is very unfortunate that the opposers form the number of those at the reins of power and the supporters who are the minority of the populace are just citizens, Udoma has not tilted his stand in the favour of the former. This is because he is a man for the latter. 

Besides this, the masses have often given him the morale to operate. This explains why he pays his dues to them when due. 

Indeed, much is expected from whom much is given. For the trust and confidence reposed on him, Sen. Udoma has severally sponsored individuals and organizations in scholarship and support missions, not to showcase wealth or fame but to practice Social Responsibility which is required of every responsible national personality. 

Without mincing words, Sen. Udoma has come, seen and conquered. One indubitable quality of leadership is followership. Through followership, one gets to learn the virtue of humility, tolerance, perseverance, empathy, honesty, resourcefulness, flexibility, commitment and other attributes of a leader. Udoma Udo Udoma has submitted himself to the above-mentioned processes of refinement. This tells the reason behind his huge success and why he has become the cynosure of all eyes in the long list of ministerial appointees. 

When Victor Hugo noted that no man is as dangerous as a man whose time has come, he was simply referring to those who painstakingly prepare and patiently wait for opportunities. It is better and safer to prepare for opportunities without having one, than to have opportunities coming one’s way without any form of preparation by such fellow. 

Having prepared so much for this opportunity, Sen. Udoma Udoma has launched into an era of uncommon revolution in the world of leadership and no element known to man will hinder this train. 

He is so accustomed to standing before God that kings do not matter much and he will always remain firm in this belief. 

On this auspicious occasion, THE INK NEWSPAPER heartily felicitate with our very own while wising him more grace from the Almighty in his new calling.