Why Ibom Patriots Support Udom Emmanuel

By Obong Bassey Inuaeyen

Informed by the fact that, the well known journey of creation through time and space or its evolution from intangible to this beautiful world we now have, has not-come to be without human direction; whereas certain human communities have seized such leverage to become
cynosures of developments, resplendent beauties and preferred destinations for tourists and investors more than others:

whereas it is our desire that such beauties
and resplendence become the lots of Akwa Ibom State, realizing that such beautiful lands didn't fall from the skies nor were they made by angels, but were made by men and women who took
initiatives and accepted responsibilities, leading their peoples on a journey out of the woods to greatness; consequent upon this, IBOM PATRIOTS has emerged,
as a pan Akwa Ibom Platform with a mission - to build a detribalized team that will foster justice, equity and good
governance, with the vision to create a sustainable framework for political inclusion, social stability and economic growth within Akwa Ibom State and beyond.

Pertaining thereof, the following, among others, have been considered anecdotal to the actualization of our mission and vision and for which 1BOM PATRIOTS, is formed:

1.To work with other well meaning sons and daughters of Akwa Ibom to drive the socio-cultural reengineering of our people in the face of cascading alien cultures.

2. To serve as a think tank and partner established authorities on good governance and leadership within the
State.

3. To serve as the voice of Akwa Ibom State on sundry national matters especially as it affects the State's
interests and rights.

4. To serve as a rallying point for the entrenchment and subsequent strengthening of Akwa Ibom people's
brotherhood.

5. To serve as a platform for the mobilization of our people and friends, towards recognizing and supporting
good governance and leadership in Akwa Ibom State with a view to molding public opinion to identify with genuine
intentions of the government, and to undertake any such actions and steps germane to the realization of our
people's dream for a better Akwa Ibom State.

To this end, and in the understanding that a people's future, is determined by the values which govern their decisions, 1BOM PATRIOTS, is therefore made up of men and women of substance, who have been found worthy in character and in service, tested and urbane leaders of thought, accomplished technocrats and
professionals - some of the very best from our land, who have made us proud in their callings.

With such membership pedigrees, IBOM PATRIOTS, is therefore aptly fortified and set to join other men and women of
goodwill to take the State to the next level. Therefore, we are ready to offer such sacrifices that may be required to achieve these objectives.

With the aforementioned declarations, we acknowledge today, with delight, the calm but steady multi-sectoral
developmental strides in the State under the unbridled leadership of Governor Udom Emmanuel in the past two
years.

With particular reference to the prevailing peace and security, a major huddle militating against investment anywhere, has been crossed.

There is a saying that "money is a coward, it runs away when insecurity and trouble show up". For this reason of peace
and security, investors have made and more are, amazingly, making Akwa Ibom State, their preferred destination for investment.

Despite the prevailing economic situation in the country, His Excellency Udom Emmanuel has been able to achieve
so much within 2 years.

The realization of his five point agenda of wealth creation, economic and political
inclusion, poverty alleviation, infrastructural consolidation and expansion and job creation is actively on course.

Construction of roads, bridges, drainages, and flood and erosion control, across the State is at the center stage of this administration. The Tropicana-Nsikak Eduok discharge drain with outfall is very commendable.

There are" over 700 kilometers of roads across the length and breadth of Akwa Ibom State constructed, with their
attendant economic benefits.

In tile area of power generation, electricity has seen a lot of improvement.

Akwa Ibom State is the first and the
only State that has produced more than 150 megawatts of electricity through her independent Power Plant.

Tile construction of a 2x15 MVA injection substation in Uyo, the first to be undertaken by any State government has help in the release of additional 24MV of power to the State capital with the resultant effect of improved electricity supply.

In tile education sector, the Governor has provided an enabling environment to motivate both the teachers and students for optimal output and performance. The free and compulsory education is on course.

The Udom's administration has committed herself to the payment of
WAEC and NABTEB examination fees for students in public secondary schools in the State.

The recent signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Universal Service Provision Fund with specific mandate to promote widespread availability and usage of telecommunication and ICT services in the State, is a clear sign of this administration's commitment on education.

Under Healthcare, the Governor, fully aware of the fact  that a healthy and vibrant human resources is a very
essential part in the growth and expansion of all sectors, is radically and systematically restructuring the health
care facilities in the State. The total restructuring of St Luke's Hospital, Anua, General Hospital, Ituk Mbang,
Immanuel Hospital, Eket, General hospital, Etinan and many others, are positive signs of his commitment in this
sector.

The revolution going on in agricultural sector in Akwa Ibom State is a delight to behold. The policy of encouraging full private sector participation, by creating
a conducive agricultural environment through aid, grants and improved seedlings, has paid off tremendously.
Through Akwa Ibom Enterprise and Employment Scheme (AKEES), tomatoes, Cabbage Cucumber, Onions
are now cultivated in commercial quantities in Akwa Ibom State.

The value chain of these endeavors and the employment generation is very commendable.

The industrialization drive of His Excellency, Udom Emmanuel has started yielding fruits. The tooth pick factory, pencil factory and Akwa Prime Hatchery are in full operation.

The resuscitation of the peacock paint is
worthy of mention.

The metering plant, fertilizer production plant and so many proposed production
plants when completed will not only serve as a revenue earner for the State but major employment channel for our teeming youths.

Also of great benefit to our people in
this administration is the pet project of our first lady: the Family Empowerment and Youth Re-orientation Programme (FEYREP) has touched many lives and put smiles on the faces of our people.
It is important to mention also, the relationship of the Governor with the organized workforce in the State.

The priority he places on the civil and public servants welfare is evidenced by the payment of their salaries and
emoluments as and when due.

All these achievements have been made possible at a time like this because of the person and experience of Udom Gabriel Emmanuel who had risen to the top echelon of his career and is widely respected nationally and internationally.

The primary drivers of development are engulfed within two major concepts of politics and economics.

Failure to plan for either of them may retard the entire process of" development. This State has enjoyed relative peace which is a fundamental condition for economic development, for
the simple reason that knowingly or unknowingly, we have crafted a pattern of sharing political offices.

The office of the Governor has come to be the symbol of our strength, unity and collective dignity.

This office has since 1999 rotated eight yearly amongst the 3 Senatorial
District sequentially. Within the Senatorial district, precedent shows that this office has always rested on one
person.

The fundamental reason for this is so that one  Senatorial district may not stay more than eight years, thereby making the rotation, sure, smoother and faster.

The smooth rotation from Obong Victor Attah of Uyo Senatorial District (1999-2007) to Senator Godswill
Akpabio of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District (2007-2015) is a well known fact. 2015 to 2023 is the turn of Eket Senatorial District. The baton now is in the hands of Governor Udom Emmanuel.

This arrangement has not only eliminated suspicion of one Senatorial district prolonging herself for more than
eight years, as the Constitution only guarantees a maximum of eight year tenure for an individual, it has sustained peace within the State, and also promotes fairness, equity and equality
for the peaceful co- existence of all sections of the State.

In 2019 therefore, there is only one person, who will not distort this arrangement.

That person is His Excellency
Udom Gabriel Emmanuel. Anything otherwise, will endanger, tile peace and tranquility that has been woven together
by our founding fathers and our contemporary leaders.

We are still evolving as a people and we are in a defining moment in our history.

This is a period that we must
make a commitment to Akwa Ibom State beyond our self interest.

The months ahead and the political activities and its attendant consequences will either divide us further and all the dreams of our founding fathers or fuse us
together and promote peace, progress and unity in our land.

The luck we have however is that we are not as divided as our politics seems to suggest. We are not perfect and can never be.

However in the midst of our
imperfection, we can continue to be great by striving not only to be fair, just and equitable, but to be seen to be so.

This is tile patriotism that all Akwa Ibom sons and daughters must exhibit.

It was Mark Twain who said "Patriotism is supporting your country all the time and your government when it deserves it." As patriots, we have painstakingly look at and analyze tile policy thrust of this administration and the achievements so far recorded within two years despite
the lean financial resources, and we are convinced that Governor Udom Emmanuel deserves our support now and
beyond 2019. To us, this Governor has performed creditably well, hence our irrevocable support.

The task of State building and development has always been enormous more so in this recessive times.

However when you establish a destination by defining what you want, and taking physical action by making choices that
move you towards that destination, the possibility for success is limitless and the arrival at the destination is inevitable.

Between 1999 and 2007, His Excellency Arc (Obong) Victor Attah confirmed that destination by not only laying a solid foundation toward economic development but taking step towards its realization.

Senator Godswill Akpabio built on this foundation through his uncommon
transformation programme between 2007 and 2015. By God’s grace
Governor Udom Emmanuel has come and is taking physical action by making choices that are surely moving us towards the desired destination.

We are therefore calling on all Akwa Ibom sons and daughters to rise and
support this God-fearing, performing, focused, prudent manager of resources, credible, determined and energetic Governor Udom Emmanuel till 2023 for a greater Akwa Ibom.

This is just. This is fair. This is equitable
Above all this is patriotic. God bless Akwa Ibom State.

We are the Patriots of Akwa Ibom!
- Obong Bassey Inuaeyen is the chancellor of Ibom Patriots