While setting the tone for the event on Day Two, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Comrade Ini Ememobong stated that since assumption of office in 2015, Governor Udom Emmanuel administration has vigorously pursued multi-sectoral development and intervention programmes on all fronts which is why there is a need for citizens to be updated and also feel their pulse on government’s efforts.
“This Inter-Ministerial briefing is to enable us get feedbacks from you on behalf of the public.”
Ememobong maintained that the present administration is driven by the knowledge that one of the hallmarks of good governance is constantly providing valuable information on policies, actions and interventions of government to the citizenry.
This, he said, has been one of the commitments of Governor Udom Emmanuel.
The Coordinating Commissioner reiterated that the parley which gears at keeping the governed in pace with the government on activities and programmes would run in seasons with the next edition scheduled to hold after the governorship election.
Day Two featured the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Augustine Vincent Umoh; Commissioner for Special Duties and Ibom Deep Seaport, Engr Bassey Okon, PhD; Commissioner for Economic Development, Mr Emem Bob and the Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Mr Camillus Umoh also attended the briefing session.
To underscore the importance of the event, Dr Happiness Uduk, Chairperson of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Uyo Chapter, gave a thought-provoking piece on Leadership, Service, and Accountability.
Dr. Uduk described leadership, service, and accountability as essential ingredients for effective leadership, preferring the servant leader approach, which places others higher than self.
She lamented that when she sees citizens suffering, she wonders if these are the leaders that Nigerians put in place to serve them, expressing her dismay about the continuous naira scarcity in the country which caused her to question whether the policymakers consider the impact of their policies on the citizens.
The ASUU Chairperson said that she weeps in her heart whenever she buys money in Nigeria, referring to the scarcity of naira notes that forces people to buy them at a higher rate from vendors.
“When I walk around and see citizens suffering, I wonder if these are the leaders we put in place to serve us. In the last two months, we all had to buy money. I don’t know if you have bought money too. Have you? Did you have a reason to buy money? I buy it sometimes and every other day.”
Drawing from the Biblical story of the Tower of Babel, Dr. Uduk stressed the need for unity and oneness, stating that with unity, there is nothing that people cannot achieve.
She stressed that leadership is not just about one person but about everybody. She referenced the South African adage, Ubuntu, which translates to “because you are, I am,” and urged Nigerians to embrace the “Ubuntu spirit” where everyone works together for the common good, just like the South African children who held hands and moved towards the tree to share a packet of sweets.
Dr. Uduk shared a story about a blind friend who turned on the light for his sighted visitor even though he didn’t need the light as a blind person. She urged leaders to leave the “light” on for others who need it. She called on Nigerian leaders to be accountable and provide the kind of leadership that puts the strongest at the back, pushing the feeble up.
The ASUU Chairperson reminded the audience that two things are crucial for leadership: integrity and strategy. And if one should sacrifice any, it should not be integrity. She also added that leadership is followership, and followership is leadership, and urged the people and the leaders to embrace the Ubuntu spirit and work together towards achieving a better Nigeria.
The Health Commissioner, Prof. Augustine Umoh, said through the state government’s massive investment in the health sector, healthcare services in the state is very affordable.
“The cost of healthcare is very high around the world, but through the state government’s intervention in the sector, the state has tried so much to make healthcare affordable and very accessible to everyone,” Prof Umoh said. “We keep the cost of services as low as possible in Akwa Ibom State and we will even do more this with your help.”
Answering questions concerning key areas in his sector, he stated that one of the first things Governor Emmanuel did in the health sector was to renovate St. Luke’s Hospital, Anua to service Uyo Local Government Area in addition to the teaching hospital adding that state government has employed 315 junior staff to fill in the vacancies available in the health sector and has provided funds for Primary Health Care centres across the state.
“At least, one secondary health Facility has been renovated and equipped in each of the senatorial districts to provide more health care services for the people,” the Commissioner said.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Special Duties and Ibom Deep Seaport, Engr. Bassey Okon stated that the Maintenance Repairs and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Victor Attah International Airport, VAIA is at 95% completion and will be commissioned before the end of this administration.
Speaking on the 21-storey building, Engr. Okon stated that Savannah Energy, an oil and Gas company is moving in by next month adding that within the 21 storey tower, there is work going on with the immigration service who have requested for a security stand post where expatriates within the state will do their passport.
The Commissioner for Economic Development, Mr. Emem Bob expressed delight at the Governor Udom Emmanuel administration which, he said, has opened the economy for both local and international investors which has been made possible by the infrastructure on ground including peace, security, aviation, health-care, among others.
He scored Governor Udom Emmanuel administration high in Human Capacity Development which is in line with the Completion Agenda of Governor Udom Emmanuel in almost eight years.
The interactive sessions had goodwill messages from the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE), National Youth Council, socio-cultural organizations like Afigh Iwad Ekid, IWADU, Oron Union, Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio, Civil Society Organizations, online practitioners, political parties, the Church and the traditional institution.
Apparently, some key stakeholders on Day 2 of the Inter-Ministerial Briefing unanimously declared that the last seven plus years of the Udom Emmanuel administration have yielded tremendous achievements in key sectors of the State’s economy. These have boosted livelihoods and upped living standards of the people.
They commended the Commissioner of Information and Strategy for his ingenuity in putting together an impressive multi-sectoral briefing adding that the briefing should be consistent since it is an avenue for updating the masses on the programmes and policies of government.
Such royal fathers as Edidem Ita Okokon, Paramount Ruler of Okobo; Ofong Odiong E. Akan, Paramount Ruler of Oron; Akuku Saviour Sylvester Udofia, Paramount Ruler of Abak; Edidem Udoette Edon, Paramount Ruler of Ini and Obong Etim Nna Itang, Paramount Ruler of Ikono Local Government Area graced the occasion.
Weeks after rounding off of the event, many attendees have continued to shower praises on Akwa Ibom State Government through the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Ini Ememobong for mounting the parley which served as an eye opener to the relationship between the government and the governed.
The historic event is winning strategy of the present administration and has helped to erase suspicions and doubts about the government’s direction and policies. When will another be held? This is the question on the lips of many as the briefing keeps resonating in the minds of the people.
Concluded
