Sins of a people

It gives me great pleasure in not only identifying with my native
inclinations but also exchanging view points on sensitive issues that bother
us as a people. I also find it significant in conscientising our people on
the need to get involved as it concerns our dear "Land of Promise" which has
constantly failed to live up to its expectations. A state created by the
generous Babangida regime in 1987 that has consistently remained in
perpetual oblivion of social and economic prosperity for very obvious
reasons. I intend to highlight the facts that I feel are responsible for the
stagnation of a people whom I know could do better. I hope that even with
the names mentioned, it shall not taken personally as the truth has to be
said...

The first thing that comes to my mind is leadership. There is a saying that
goes like this " A people get the kind of leader they deserve". Those few
words made a lot of sense to me due to our collective attitude and the
retributive laws that influence daily events. We have not be blessed with
good leadership except for that of Idongesit Nkanga which was almost marred
with tribal and parochial sentiments. From Tunde Ogbeha to Yakubu Bako to
Akpan Isemin, the story remains the same in the terms of governance and
infrastructure. They were all short sighted people who were more concerned
about what could be amassed or recovered within a short period of time to
the detriment of development.

Incumbent Obong Victor Attah is yet another culprit of this cankerworm as
his current tenure is currently bedridden with strife's and unnecessary ethnic
hatred. During his last visit to the UK in August, he held us spell bound
with his senseless delusions of planning since he assumed office fifteen
months ago. I became excessively worried with that illogical, insensitive
and blind excuse with thoughts like - Didn't he have any plans before coming
in office? How can you be planning for fifteen months when you have less
than forty-eight months in office? Do Architects plan for that long before a
house is finally erected?

The purported rift that seems to exist or is already existing between Victor
Attah and his deputy Chris Ekpenyong is not only an embarrassment to us but a
calamity. This is the total reverse in the case of Cross River where Donald
Duke and Ebony Okpa are doing brilliantly well. I do not have the facts and
figures concerning the squabble as I am not gullible or pleasantly audible to
gossips but I would like to stress that political god-fatherism is arrant
nonsense in the political destiny of a progressive people and should never
be embraced or encouraged. These same political god-fathers have had
successful business enterprises and ministerial positions which have been of
no common benefit to the state. I do not see the reason why a business
mogul and baby politician of that sort should be of any political reference
in that state in the first place after all, what have you done for your
people business and government wise? Unfortunately, I am referring to Don
Etiebet.

The same can be said of the likes of Akpan Isemin, Nsikak Eduok, Etukudo
Ekpo and Udo Mbosoh most of whom are spent forces. Under Akpan Isemin's
regime we witnessed the most vindictive and unproductive governance so far.
Here was a man who declared war with his political opponent(Ekong
Etuk)without the latter's knowledge even after winning the elections in a
very dubious manner. He never forgave all those who opposed his candidature
before the polls and his leadership arrogance and ignorance took him as far
as U. J Esuene's burial in Eket were he was booed and jeered. His policies
were brash and lacked depth while he was more bothered with fraternizing
with his political and gubernatorial friends in neighboring states like
Evan Enwerem and Rufus Ada-George instead of addressing the problems of his
people. Good enough, his dream was cut short by Abacha's emergence and his
second dream died due to the fact that the people saw his second coming as a
disaster.

The second and last point I want to address is the acrimony, disharmony and
dichotonomy amongst us that is getting us nowhere. What quickly comes to
this mind of mine is those words of former Vice-Chancellor of UniCal(Prof.
Emmanuel Ayandele) as it concerns his impression of the former Cross River
State of which we were a dominant majority and I quote "This is an atomistic
society that is perpertually at war with itself". I find this statement true
to type as it concerns Akwa Ibom state. The Orons, Ibibios and Annangs never
seem to agree or love each other and this was very evident during the
reception party held for Victor Attah here in the UK two months ago. An
invited guest and acclaimed friend of the Governor - Orji Kalu clamored for
unity to reign supreme as the Orons and Annangs were conspicuously absent.

What I felt has been ignored is the fact that every society copes with the
majority and minority saga but, what I don't expect is the domineering and
over-bearing attitude by the majority in the scheme of things. Every body
has the right to vote and be voted for and thus a thorough participation in
the state cake or whatever. When the impression that a certain people are
born to rule is created, problems are bound to arise. Also, the lack of love
and wishful thinking has been our bane over the years. We bluntly refuse to
help each other both at home and abroad and yet expect to progress with this
dogmatic and negative exhibits. Another man's progress becomes another man's
worries and headache. We hardly support the progress of others and have
persistently inculcated this "strange" spirit into our siblings while
forgetting that the Yorubas are where they are today because the late Awo
had a vision and shared it with his people in order to bring them into
political, financial and social pertinence in Nigeria.

So far I would love to say that the older generation have failed us as a
blessed people and I emphasize that it's high time the younger ones take
center stage and leave a befitting legacy behind. Moving that state ahead is
our collective responsibility and the onus is on us or else our education
and exposure shall be a waste. So far it's be so bad...