GRAND RECEPTION OF GOV UDOM By Ibibio Nation And The Renewal Of A'Ibom Dream

By Joseph ATHANASIUS

If you look at history, development does not come just from giving people enabling environment
alone, it comes also through attitudinal reformation, where ideas can connect. To me, this
is a supposed statement for emerging leaders, who may seek freedom from social ethnicity of
their people.

However, the Secretary, Central Planning Committee and Director, Contact and Mobilization of the grand reception of the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, Dr. Ephraim Inyangeyen, the Works Commissioner in the state, has sent a message of inspiration to Akwa Ibom people, while fielding questions about the level of preparedness towards the mother of all grand reception.

According to him, "the Ibibio nation, the 4th ethnic nationality in the country, will demonstrate their
oneness of purpose in support to our illustrious son, His Excellency, Mr. Udom Emmanuel and the wife, in view of his meritorious service to his father land, come Monday, July 10, 2017 at the ancestral Asan Ibibio ground, Uyo".

While charging all indigenes of Akwa Ibom state, both at home and in the diaspora, as well as the residents in the state to turn up enmasse to honour the Governor, Dr. Inyangeyen, said that Ibibio as a nation, has a unique identity, despite the differences in language. He noted that the people in this part of the world are known and referred to as Ibibio, irrespective of which ethnic
blocs one hails from, Akwa Ibom is one, he said.

He also added that, the grand reception of the Akwa Ibom State Governor will be the entire state
affair.

Dr. Inyangeyen had further said that, the state Governor Mr. Udom Emmanuel, righly deserves such honour in view of his great strides in virtually all sectors in line with his determination to fulfill his campaign promises of changing the landscape
of the state and its good people in the last two years.

He said, "in virtually every sector, from poverty alleviation to job and wealth creation, economic and political inclusion, infrastructural consolidation and expansion, as well as other economic programs, which, once they are all operational, will
completely revolutionalize the state's industrially.

"There has been no dull moment in this administration since it came on board, you are all witnesses that, all government machineries are currently running at optimal level. And the truth is, the development programs of the present
administration will soon positioned Akwa Ibom as a state that is self-sufficient in revenue", Dr. Inyangeyen has said.

The Works Commissioner has also said that, the Governor has remained resolute in his mission of the Akwa Ibom dream.

He quoted Governor Udom Emmanuel has saying thus, "we can renew our faith in the Akwa Ibom dream", during his (Governor's) inaugural address as the Executive
Governor of the state May 29, 2015.

"April 11, 2015, Akwa Ibom people across all ethnic divides, shuned every political sentiment and propaganda, and unanimously voted Governor Udom Emmanuel as their Governor.

The Governor recognized that unity, that oneness and that togetherness exemplified by Akwa Ibom people
during his election.

These were core attributes of the different ethnic blocs in the state, which was once referred to as the ibibio nation by our forebares.

"Soon after the Governor came on board, he took a bold step at launching the state into a new level of spiritual rebirth, moral rectitude, attitudinal orientation and cultural reformation campaign through DAKKADA Initiative, the Governor had reasoned that, unity of his people remained a critical factor in the state under his administration"
, Commissioner Inyangeyen had explained.

He cited the early days of the Ibibio Union.

Governor Udom Emmanuel believed that he came to inspire his people with an idea that has raised the value system of Akwa Ibom man, that is why Governor Udom Emmanuel is holding every Akwa
Ibom person, regardless of ethnicity and/or political affiliation, in high esteem. He believed that he has the mandate of reviving the spirit of Ibibio Union among his people.
He believed that, all Akwa Ibom people should become stakeholders in his government, and speak
with one voice as a united people, and work with him for the very good of the good people of Akwa
Ibom, as a political entity.

His approach did not only paid off, but has been greatly felt by all.
This became a very compelling message to Akwa Ibom people.

This was necessary because the
perception of a people can either make the people or mare them.

The Ibibio Union, cited by the
Honourable Commissioner for Works, Dr. Inyangeyen, was an encompassing organization
which accommodated the Ibibio speaking Ibibios, the Annang, Oro and other ethnic groups, which
were all identified as Ibibios, perhaps, this well explained why Governor Udom Emmanuel's
administration is seeking to promote those values that once unified the founding fathers of Ibibio land.

No wonder Akwa Ibom people are stirred to the reality of rising to the faith of their greatness.

Akwa Ibom unique diversity has further strengthen the bond of the people.

Governor Udom Emmanuel's
uncompromising faith in Akwa Ibom was clearly encapsulated in his inaugural address, according
to Honourable Commissioner for Works.

As this wind of positive and responsive attitude blows unabated, it is instructive to note that the
people of Akwa Ibom from across all ethnic divides were the same people who founded the Ibibio Union.

Chief Nyong Essien from Uyo, was the pioneer President-General of the Ibibio Union, with founding members in the likes of Robert Udoaka
Umoinyang from Ikot Ekpene, Samson Udo Idiong from Abak, Samson Udo Etuk from Etinan, Effiong Okon Eyo and Chief Bassey Udo Adiaha Attah from Ibesikpo Asutan, as well as, Hon. Ibanga Udo
Akpabio from Essien Udim.

Interestingly, six of their sons were sent to United Kingdom and United States of America for studies,
for instance, Effiong U. Ekpo from Abak (Medicine), James L. Nsima from Eket (Education), Egbert U.
Udoma from Ikot Abasi (Law), Ibanga U. Akpabio from Essien Udim (Education), Obot E. Anitaobong
from Itu (Medicine) and Bassey U. Attah from Ibesikpo Asutan (Agriculture). Be that as it may, from the pre-colonial time till when the state was created on September 23,
1987, the story of the entity known today as Akwa Ibom State was a story of a united people.

I must emphasize here that, the founding fathers of Ibibio Union were united and wholly embraced the Ibibio cause.

And the strength of their unity had played a critical role in the sustenance of the agitation for
Ibibio State and its eventful reality on September 23, 1987.

Therefore, since unity was a founding principle of ibibio people hence, may this grand reception of
the Akwa Ibom illustrous son, Governor Udom Emmanuel avail Akwa Ibom people another
opportunity of continuing in that principle of unity  that had binded the founding fathers of Ibibio
Nation togerther.

May the grand reception once again banish ethnic sentiments and political intolerance among Akwa
Ibom people, and may the grand reception further deepened the love that once unite Ibibio Nation, may the grand reception collapse structure Ibibio may deployed to dominate Annang or the tool
Oron may invent to struggle for relevance.

May the grand reception enhance Akwa Ibom strength in diversity. And may the grand reception revitalize political tolerance as a key factor for
peaceful cohabitation, respect for diversity, and unity as a common platform for cooperation.

No matter what happens, let us not allow our faith in Akwa Ibom dream waver. Let us remain faithful to the Ibibio course as envisaged by our forebares.

Let us stand shoulder to shoulder, and walk hand in hand with a fellow Ibibio man, irrespective of his
ethnicity and let us promote togetherness in our diversity.

One last word, may God continue to
bless Governor Udom Emmanuel-led administration. May God continue to bless Akwa Ibom State and may God continue to bless Ibibio Nation, AMEN.