Idongesit Akpan
As the 2023 Akwa Ibom election draws closer, more Akwa Ibom people have joined in endorsing the governorship aspiration of the former Vice-Chairman of ExxonMobil companies in Nigeria, Mr. Udom Inoyo.
The newest in the list of the persons is Mr. Monday Udo Ekong, an indigene of Ukpom Abak, in Abak Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom state.
Mr. Ekong, in a post on his Facebook page verified by this writer, spoke glowingly about Mr. Inoyo and why he would wholeheartedly support him if he decides to contest the election.
Ekong, a city developer and resident of Ikoyi, threw weight behind Mr. Inoyo’s public and private sector experience, love, and respect for the Akwa Ibom people and his principles of giving ordinary people the opportunity and foundation to excel is why Mr. Inoyo would do well as governor.
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On why he would do all to support Inoyo, Ekong revealed that he is today consulting for ExxonMobil Cooperative because of the assistance rendered to him by Mr. Inoyo when he was in service at the company, even when he (Ekong) did not have the expected vast experience.
In an interview with this writer, he said: “I structured finance for their first housing estate for ExxonMobil Cooperative through the assistance of Mr. Udom Inoyo.
“At the time they accepted me for trial, I didn’t come with loads of experience. But it was by their grace and the opportunity given to me by Mr. Inoyo that I became a performer. He left me to show competence, and he was happy at the end because, with the experience that I took to the table, I outperformed. I have about five projects to my name hinged to ExxonMobil.”
“Mr. Udom Inoyo’s belief in giving men a trial allowed me to show my competence because if not for him, the Coop may never have known my capabilities. This singular experience gave me the impression that Mr. Inoyo was after excellence and that people who complain about him are the beggarly and lazy guys.”
Mr. Ekong who is among the crafters of Ibom Le Meridian and Golf (Ibom Icon), the VA Airport, completion of Shelter Afrique, and Creation of Ibaka Deep Seaport noted that Mr. Inoyo irrespective of his status has “respect for everyone, the elderly, and is always embarrassed to realize that an elderly person hangs around to gain his attention.”
According to him, “If Mr. Inoyo becomes Akwa Ibom State Governor, he is the type of governor that would rather choose to privately visit elders than inviting them to the government house. He is a man who would pick up and galvanize the fractured culture of the Akwa Ibom people through the traditional ruler’s institution.”
“Udom Inoyo’s policies would be regularly reflected in sports and youth development, discouraging the shoving of youths into occupational or professional politics. I am certain about this because he has done it before and I am a witness to his ideas and imagination which shall be provided a platform for accomplishments in his governance.”
“He is non-partisan. He is not interested in your colour or who your parents are, but only interested in creativity and excellence. He is a leader who believes in truth… This is the mould that I saw in Obong Victor Attah, the former governor of Akwa Ibom state. Just like Inoyo, Obong Attah is ready to entrust responsibility if you are challenging and aggressive to achieve set goals.”
“I thank God for making me encounter both men. They helped me out of my shell to handle challenging projects. I yearn for more of such leaders for the future of our people. Akwa Ibom state has brains but lacks people to challenge them to bring out the best in them. Udom Inoyo is the missing link to reawakening that Dakkada spirit which the current governor introduced.”
“Imagine such a man who worked as vice chairman of a multinational in the oil sector, a position he was found faultless and not linked with properties he couldn’t account for. Udom Inoyo is clean,” he added.
Also toeing the same line, a public affairs commentator, Mr. Franklin Isong in his RADAR Newspaper Chat Group recently said Udom Inoyo is the best bet for Akwa Ibom State.
Mr. Isong, who is also the publisher of Radar Newspapers, wrote “I have been tempted to x-ray two personalities. If I am asked to choose the office of the Governor from both of them, Inoyo has better local, national and international connections to drive the economy of the State better… ”
