“Every
generation must discover its mission, fulfil it
or betray it." -Frantz Fanon
Akwa Ibom parades some of the best and brightest professionals and gifted persons in Nigeria. They are scattered in every corner of the globe and their ingenuity and intellectual industry spans every field of endeavour. Noted for giant strides in creativity and excellence. Hardworking, ambitious and industrious people. Their endless contributions to the nation's development is commendable and in the midst of challenges and difficulties, they strive to be the change a much troubled country needs especially at times like now. These great sons and daughters of the land would have done more and imparted greatly but regretably, Nigeria’s peculiar politics does not often emphasize merit. There is a wicked and unfair quota system in employment and the preponderance of socio-economic god-fathers who by their influence have ensured that these great sons and daughters of Akwa Ibom have been either suppressed or kept out in their respective fields.
Many have been victims of discrimination, victimisation, or vain politics. Some who are doubly qualified for a lift in the public service are shoved aside, academics in need of grants and scholarships are ignored and even those who wish to start-up businesses have found it difficult to assess funds. But in the midst of the political mire, the economic predicament and the social challenges, some have shone brightly like the proverbial northern star and have made it to the apogee of their chosen field of endeavour. Mr Udom Emmanuel, former Executive Director on the board of Zenith Bank Plc and current Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government fits squarely into these rare breeds.
The incorporation of Mr Emmanuel, an efficient, highly adaptable,
disciplined, career minded performer, strategist and a richly experienced private
sector player into the epicenter of politics and governance is an eloquent testimony of a system that is proud to associate with its best brains. It is a milestone that is celebrated in circles of people who love the state and development. And a few weeks into the job, Mr Emmanuel has settled in nicely bringing to bear his over 23 years cognate experience in
financial services garnered from prestigious institutions like
PricewaterHouseCoopers and Zenith Bank Plc. He is justifying the confidence reposed on him and naturally performing his job which doesnt encourage noise making. But with the administration of Chief Godswill Akpabio fast winding down and our eyes on the next ball, what best can be squeezed out of this rare technocrat for the good of the state? The next political movement has begun and the process to assess the best materials is underway. The intelligent public knows exactly what it deserves. A leader with the magic formula on how to engage the youths constructively, empower them with new skills,
and again create wealth for the economy. So what makes Udom Emmanuel thick?
As a man who was in charge of Corporate Finance and advisory services, Research/Strategy/Financial Control, Telecoms,Multilateral, Conglomerates and Private Banking (MCP) and Foreign Subsidiaries in a leading global financial institution, he has the capacity, craft and will- power to maintain a sound macro-economic policy environment and run an efficient government. His background will empower him more to restore and strengthen financial confidence by putting in place a more robust monitoring and supervising regulation mechanism for all financial institutions in the state.
As an old boy of INSEAD, France, Columbia Business School, USA, the Wharton
Business School, USA and the London Business School, he can make the state economy be one of the fastest growing emerging economies in Nigeria with a
real GDP growth averaging 10% annually, which is what we desperately need. The Godswill Akpabio administration has set a strong foundation with its putting in place key infrastructure. Next is for a visionary leader to drive the ship of state to economic prosperity, a man, like Udom Emmanuel versed with the workings of the financial system to pilot it to the next level. The priviledged few who have interacted with Mr Emmanuel know he has a desire to create a skilled youthful population. With this he will be surely embark on vocational training, entrepreneurial and skills acquisition scheme for graduates along with the creation of Small Business Loan Guarantee Scheme to create at least 100,000 new jobs every year, for the foreseeable future.
Interestingly, we are in the 21st century and in an era of breathtaking technology, leadership and revolutionary growth in some parts of the world. Models of development are scattered that can guide us in mapping a formidable trajectory and roadmap of development. Reformist leaders in China set -up the first special economic zone and industrial park in Shenzhen near Hong Kong in 1980 , the Shenzhen initiative has since then unleashed a developmental revolution which has made China the 2nd largest economy in the world.
China, now celebrated as the 2nd largest economy in the world reduced the number of people living in poverty by more than 500 million between 1981 and 2007 according to a World Bank report. What is more spectacular however is
that China achieved this feat through industrialisation policies that saw to the setting up of cluster industrial parks with special incentives where goods such as shoes, handbags, furniture, plastics, toys, clothes and other low tech goods are produced. China is what it is today through her investment in the human
resources and productive capacities of her people. Therefore, we do not need to reinvent the wheel, what we need to do is to model our industrial trajectory to that of China and unleash rapid industrialisation and
infrastructure modernisation of Akwa Ibom State. In the onerous effort to industrialise and modernise, we require a leadership that will at all times be
open to ideas and as a rule must not consider
anything as impossible. A man who is prepared and ready to mobilise all strata of the society. A man who doesnt feel insecure to assemble the best brains and experts in the state. A man who will harness ideas from all and sundry
through public consultations and participation.
The whole population and resources must be mobilised to create a developmental state ideologically committed to unleashing
unprecedented development in all sectors in Akwa Ibom State. With an intelligent, God fearing and honest man, with careful planning, prudent
management of resources, public/private partnership, partnership with the Diaspora, creativity and determination of the people, Akwa Ibom State can
become an oasis of revolutionary development and a point of reference in transformational development for the rest of Nigeria/Africa. Is that a feat impossible for us to achieve?
With experience on the boards of Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), Nigerian Interbanks Settlement System (NIBSS), Zenith Bank UK and Zenith Pension & Custodian, Mr Emmanuel can integrate the informal economy into the mainstream and prioritize the full implementation of the state tax id to generate
the relevant data; Expand domestic demand and consider undertaking associated public works programmes; Embark on export and production
diversification including investment in infrastructure; promote manufacturing through agro based industries and expand inter and
intra trade; Make Information Technology, Manufacturing, Agriculture and Entertainment key drivers of our economy. These lofty plans can only be properly handled by a man with a zero corruption record. What makes a nation succeed or fail is leadership. Across the world, the only difference between failed states and successful nations is the leadership. Nations without any
natural resources have been transformed through visionary, disciplined and creative leadership while nations with abundant human and material resources have become failed states through corrupt, visionless and
incompetent leadership. In both scenarios, the only difference that determined the outcome was the leadership. A resolute, dedicated, disciplined, competent, creative and visionary leadership is indispensable as the single most
important factor for the wholesome transformation of Akwa Ibom state into a highly sophisticated state with ultra modern infrastructure, integrated social system and a dynamic industrial economy weaned from the crude oil curse.
What makes a nation succeed or fail is leadership . Across the world ,
the only difference between failed states and successful nations is the
leadership . Nations without any natural resources have been
transformed through visionary , disciplined and creative leadership while
nations with abundant human and material resources have become
failed states through corrupt , visionless and incompetent leadership . In
both scenarios , the only difference that determined the outcome was the
leadership .
I see in Mr Udom Emmanuel one who will tap into and utilise the people's strong-minded spirit of enterprise, industry, commerce, and
community. A man who with his experience and contacts, enter into Public Private Partnerships (PPP) with both foreign and local investors to
achieve economic growth objectives. And as a man with firm roots, he will
partner with local councils as well as investors to assist the development of markets. The next drive has to be industrilization and it requires planning and strategy, a proper drive for industrialization will ensure that the problems of insecurity, unemployment and education are solved. When there is a plan to develop industries, there will be the need to employ people, a
situation that mandates proper training of youths with the appropriate skills
to be employed and be less interested in crime, thereby helping to reduce the insecurity in the state. Here is a man favoured by God, zoning and the people. Its time to march on. This is Akwa Ibom's call. Obey Sir!
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