Governor Godwill Akpabio’s rode a wave of excitements to victory, but his
challenges he faces in the state and the achievement he has are even greater.



Governor Akpabio the third civilian governor, first Annang and nineth governor of
Akwa- Ibom State was sworn into office on May 29th 2007 on a platform that promised
change and an administration that would bring fresh ideas to Akwa Ibom State .

In that year Akpabio in his maiden address, said “we shall put in place an
administration that will foster unity, love, engender prosperity and harmonious
co-existence.” His goal of change and hope to unify the State has not been on a
platter of gold. With socio, political and economic saboteurs seriously bent on
tarnishing the image of the State through kidnapping, petition, false accusation
etc, so to score the governor low. The governor has refused to be distracted. His
continual messages of hope even in the last Easter celebration and the recent
democracy day keeps rekindling the citizens, his followers and even intrigue his
critics.

Exactly three years now, Akpabio has extended his governance and the impact of his
administration to every nook and crannies including long neglected interior remote
parts of the State which has seen his approval rating high to its highest point
since he took oath office just three years ago.

But was it at all possible for anyone, including someone who generated as much
excitement as Akpabio, to fix all Akwa Ibom domestic and national toxic human
problems, breaking the bonds of partisanship and seamlessly pass new legislation?
Surprisingly, many people taught so.

The economy has shown great signs of life and still remains one of the primary
concerns on the AkwaIbom minds. While the AkwaIbom public put real stock and hope in
Akpabio’s plan to stimulate the economy, those expectations may have been a little
overzealous. However, patience is hard thing to some, as people want instant magic
or miracle.

 Student and youths have positive views on governor Akpabio’s increasing approval
rating—which has continuously increase than ever as new groups keep springing up
beating up support for Akpabio’s second term bid amongst the recent is the Inspired
youth for Akpabio’s advancement (IYAA).

 One of Akpabio’s primary goals in his three years in office has been direct touch
of lives through infrastructural and basic socio-economic amenities. Akpabio has
thoroughly made sure that every uncompleted project of the previous administration
are completed. Every institution has been strengthend, ranging from health to
education, agriculture to industry, power to transport etc.

There is no institution and local government that has been left untouched by
Akpabio’s administration. A great future has been provided in the making.
Development are accelerated at random impact in intellectual freedom and the widest possible latitude with regards to the conditions and procedures whereby education is given full support and every man, woman and children in all social environment are given opportunity of being a partaker in these collective liberation thus initiated and more positive measures taken to shake of prevailing inertia. Akwa Ibomites have taken a decisive step forward on the path to freedom, democracy and followership.The governor has also amongst others strengthened independence and self reliance.There is human capacities development and elimination of gross inequalities which has hitherto threatened social harmony and peace in the State.

The traditional and cultural institution which was in serious mockery in the past
has been given a face lift.

At the present, the population has greatly increased and has grown so much and the
governor aware of this is creating favorable conditions to enable the ever
increasing masses to become better organized.

Massive road networks, flyovers and bridges are constantly being constructed to
complement the explosion as many cars are also being bought on regular basis.
Workers welfare has been enhanced and employment into civil service, Ibom power
plant and airport made. Every man fully enjoys all rights and liberties enabling him
to take an active part in political-social activities. All citizens are ensured
equal relation of right to work, rest and recreation, housing, free medical and
education and old age pension is guaranteed and fully implemented to all regardless
of sex and tribe. The social policy pursed by the Governor is aimed at steadily
enhancing people’s well being, improving the health of the citizens, expanding cheap housing construction, developing and perfecting general education and vocational training. All these ensure a high level of equality which has been reached in Akpabio’s administration. The government most especially concentrates the
 creative endeavour of the masses, directing it to solution of urgent,
social-economic and political problems. The most important out come of the selfless
governor is that the stage has reached the stage of developed democracy.

The deep sea project at Mbo to be used as a seaport is a big plus. Industrial ground
breaking has taken place in Ibaka where work is going on. This is a great economic
potential in keeping with the demands of developed democracy, to advance the economy
to a higher, scientific, technical and organizational level,and achieve substantial
improvement in the intensification of social production, make it more effective and
raise living standards of the Akwa-Ibom people.

Agriculture has been given great boost and high growth rate of production to reduce
hunger and increase employment by partnering with expatriates from Malaysia and
China .

Opposition who like to reap from people’s misfortune has capitalized on kidnapping in the state by bud sliding and black mail to score cheap political points. They have implore every know tactics, negative logics by writing negative things in the print media and internet, spreading false rumor and propagandas to psychic the
masses. Petitions, blackmail, tribal and ethnic politics have been used by the
oppositions to cause disaffection in the polity.

But the governor is not bothered about all these. He has stood his ground not to be
distracted but to continue in his good works. He has constantly and naturally
attracted large followership and support particularly in organizing concrete
positive minded youths and Elders who embrace and instrintly advance his legacies.

On ending and finding solution to lingering problem of kidnap, the Governor has made sure that every body holding Government Office and who wants to contest election denounce his or her  membership of secrete cult. There is obviously no magic
solution to efface by a single stroke the existing complicated issue, but many
strategies and facets in finding solution to the menace is on.

The administrations have continuously altered with great will to equip ordinary
people. Constant and positive attitudes of more justice fostering cooperation
strengthening independence, more equity, more reciprocity in information exchange,
cultural identity, self reliance more benefits for all mankind and practical
demonstration of genuine ideology, political, economic and geographical spectrum
which have reached a surprising measure and support on making sure Akwa-Ibomites
possess the promise land and enjoy its natural endowments.   

The most rewarding experience has been the mutual sense of respect and friendship
developed by the governor for all and his construction effort dominated by his
positive work in the state in varied strands vital to assure that humanity has more
than a history, that our children are ensured a great future. There his confident
that with good will governing, right representatives handling positions, a new order
benefiting all Akwa-Ibomites can be constructed and built is wake up call to
AkwaIbomite in the state and Diaspora especially as the governor prepares for second
term and a sure sign that more are in the offing. Governor Akpabio seems as driven
as ever and has been extremely outspoken in his desire to fulfill his promise on
bettering the lives of the masses       

 
.....Udom is a policy analyst,social activist andVice President Inspired youth 4 Akpabio  Advancement,08076158749,greatmindlegacy@yahoo.com