Nsima Ekere 182 Days in Office

BY DOPSE EBEREFIAK

Nsima Ekere, a Former Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State and presently serving as the Managing Director, NDDC, is unarguably one of Nigeria’s greatest asset. One interesting fact associated with this articulated son of the soil is that he has always raised the level of his performance to meet expectations.

Prior to his emergence as Managing Director, NDDC, Obong Nsima Ekere served meritoriously as Chairman, Akwa Ibom Investment and Industrial Promotion Council, AKIIPOC, (the State Investment agency) from 2007-2012. He also served as Chairman, Ibom Power Company from 2008-2011 and equally as Deputy Governor of the State within May 2011 and October 2012. Within these periods, he demystified the act of governance and laid a concrete foundation that has inexorably become a research point for students of leadership development. 

What many politicians who try to borrow a leaf from him do not understand, nay find puzzling, is that the key to his magical performance is not in his pocket or locked in his briefcase. But entrenched in his mindset which is endowed with good conscience, determination, focus and ‘I must make it work spirit’. His credible performance in various public offices are not equally far from the truth that he is a man wrapped with vision, a reservoir of knowledge who has much gumption in fixing things. He unknowingly reveals that credibility is not in the seat of office one occupies but the intellects of the occupant. 

And one may ask: what stuff is Nsima Ekere made up of? That he never allows the euphoria off office obstruct his altruistic delivery of quality services to the people, distinguishing himself from the bandwagon of decayed political office holders flooding our clime. 

Reflecting on Ekere’s Sixty-five minutes interview, he promised to ensure that the goals and mandate of the interventionist agency are actualized, intimating that he has reached out to potential local, national and international partners to demystified ways of executing duties for which the commission was set up. 

“I am fully aware of the situation of things at the agency and I am fully prepared to correct all the abnormalities. 

Unlike the past where the impact of some projects were felt only in few states, I will set a new record by driving regional economic development through projects that would accommodate all Niger-Delta States to ensure that visible and formidable impacts are created.

One of the problems I observed is that in the past, they lack of coordination  between the various groups carrying out projects in the area and the agency led to a disconnect between the people, their needs and the groups. My leadership must midwife change in the true sense of the word. Things have to be properly coordinated to ensure continuity.

I will ensure that the state governments, development partners and non-governmental organizations key into projects to effectively carry out the mandate of the NDDC. We will not work in isolation”. 

Though, observers opined it is quite still early to draw conclusions but yours truly finds it intriguing and necessary to lay the records straight. Absolutely, in an objective appraisal of his past 182 days in office, the agency has not only breathe in new life, assuring Niger Deltants better days, the region  has been on the cusp of great things. 

He has injected new ideas, innovation into the Commission, leading it towards realizing its objectives with visible waves of impact. So far, Nsima Ekere deserves to be applauded. In spite the discerning heat of challenges, neglects and rot, he has not been deterred in giving out his best. But of the truth, we must also play our part as good citizens in giving him all necessary supports. We might not reach our desired destination but with our collective supports, we will certainly move far from where we were.