Opinion
Akpabio: Builder of Men @61 – By OLA AWONIYI
American business executive and one time Chairman and CEO of General Electric, John Francis Welch Jr. popularly called Jack Welch, once said: “Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others.”
Going by those words, Godswill Obot Akpabio, the President of the Nigerian Senate, is a leader. Having attained personal success early in life, he has long devoted himself to growing others.
The Akwa Ibom-born lawyer and politician has every reason to thank God as he marks his first birthday in office as Nigeria’s number three citizen.
Godswill Akpabio, in his public and private life, has touched many lives and led many, by personal example, to become leaders themselves. He has been a builder of men and a destiny helper.
Akpabio has turned boys into men. He has built an army of well-wishers through indiscriminate philanthropic activities that have put smile on countless faces
Children at Explicit Home of Favour Initiative, a charity organisation, are examples of the beneficiaries of Akpabio’s compassionate heart and philanthropy. These orphans and indigent children were brought under the same roof and put through formal education by the founders of the Home, Mr David Abraham and his wife.
They sustain themselves through exhibition of choreographic dances. Their dexterity in the art has brought them fame within and outside Nigeria. Videos of the group, popularly called Xplicit Dancers, have been trending for years.
As Governor of Akwa Ibom State (2007-2015), Akpabio first met the group at an event at Eko Hotel in Lagos and was impressed by its brilliant performance. Listening later to the personal stories of the members, Akpabio, himself a man of humble beginning who lost his father at a tender age, was literally moved to tears. He immediately invited the group to visit Akwa Ibom.
According to the founder of the charity outfit, Mr Abraham, that uncommon encounter was a game changer for the charity Home because “he blessed us so mightily.”
Akpabio, who the group now relates to as a father, has since sustained that benevolent relationship with Xplicit Dancers.
The group was in Abuja on 1st October this year and had another opportunity to thrill Akpabio, their father, with its excellent repertoire of choreographic dances.
For Mr Abraham, knowing Akpabio has been a life changing experience for his ministry, which has turned out more than a hundred university graduates, many of whom now have their own families.
That is to mention just one instance of how Akpabio’s large heart has touched lives.
At a recent gathering, Akpabio acknowledged the uncommon show of love he receives everywhere he goes, which drew him to the spiritual conclusion that “when God has a covenant with you, nobody can break it.”
Akpabio, however remarked, that the widespread goodwill he enjoys does not spare him of attack when he makes a mistake, particularly in the social media.
He cited a recent occasion when the Senate intervened to halt a plan by the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to hike eletricity tariffs by 44 percent. An additional prayer in the substantive motion considered by the Senate in plenary – Let the Poor Breathe – was taken out of context.
This led to the whole intention of the intervention being twisted and misinterpreted in the media. Akpabio, as the Presiding Officer, bore the brunt of the attacks. He was accused of mocking the poor!
“I said why me? Why are they doing this to me? And I remember that the same people who show me love, they are the ones bashing me. Based on that, I said, I must forgive them. They are all forgiven,” he told his audience.
Akpabio shares the exhortation by African-American educator and author, Booker T. Washington, that “if you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else.”
Akpabio’s journey to becoming Nigeria’s number three citizen is fascinating and reflects the Will of God in his life.
He has grown himself all his life. His teachers at the Federal Government College, Port Harcourt identified something unique in the young Godswill when they made him Senior Prefect in his final year in the school. In the same vein, the students of University of Calabar, Cross River State also spotted his potentials when they elected him Speaker of their Parliament.
At the start of his public service life in 2002, Akpabio was appointed commissioner by his mentor, Governor Obong Victor Attah. Within four years, he was moved around three key ministries. That experience later became important in his grooming for the governorship of the state.
When he entered the race for the ticket of his party, his campaign slogan was “Let God’s will be done.” This slogan was like an invocation. God established His will as Akpabio defeated 57 other aspirants to emerge as the candidate of his party then, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He won the general election in 2007 to become Governor. His performance in the office brought him into stardom. His tenure became a reference point for its “uncommon transformation” of Akwa Ibom State. His footprints dot the state through the massive development of the state’s infrastructure by his administration.
In 2015, after his second term as Akwa Ibom Governor, Akpabio, a first timer in the Senate, was elected minority leader. He later became a minister and is now back in the National Assembly as Senate President.
Akpabio’s bid for the Senate Presidency ecountered a formidable opposition. But, as usual in his life, the Will of God came to pass.
The Will of God for Renewed Hope and prosperity in Nigeria shall also come to pass.
This is wishing Uko Akwa Ibom, Godswill Obot Akpabio, President of the 10th Senate and Chairman of the National Assembly, who turns 61 on 9th December, 2023, more manifestations of the good will of God in his life.
**Awoniyi writes from Abuja: ola.awoniyi2010@gmail.com
There is something common in politics and with Politicians in this clime, it stems from the arrogance of power, it stinks to high heavens, it is shit in its worst form; that a few men and women play God, they assume that their egocentric predilections represent the collective will, and they undermine the Law as well as the mindset of the electorate. They move to Party B with the mandate given to Party A by the People. And they Cross-carpet or decamp to another Party without deference to the provisions of the Law.
Just yesterday the entire Political Structure in my home State of Delta was led by the State Governor Mr. Sheriff Oborevwori from the Peoples Democratic Party PDP to the All Progressive Congress APC, that tsunami of sorts happened without firm reasons but the usual refrain that ‘they want to align with the centre for more democratic dividends to come to the State’. I wouldn’t have opted to do this piece had the All Progressive Congress APC made great feats of the States under its watch, alas President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (PBAT) and his followers are masters of deceit, subterfuge and perfidy. They spew soulless propaganda, having no soul they lack moral margins, they lie about everything and they destroy the moral fabrics of our nation. They are shameless, spineless and have no scruples.
Where is the Soul of the men of power who dumped the PDP just yesterday for the APC in Delta State? They have chosen to stand on a Blood Stained Mandate. They have elected a Hunger ridden mandate. They have chosen a corruption riddled mandate. They laud an insecurity enabling mandate. They salute a nepotistic mandate. And they dance to a frustration festering mandate. Had the PBAT led APC at the Centre made Nigeria better than it met her, I would applaud Governor Sheriff and his fellow travelers, but the truth is what consistently the APC, including Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and his men have chosen to trample upon, nay the Truth is that under the PBAT led APC Government, Nigeria is today worse than it was yesterday.
What logic situates the movement of the Delta State Political Structures from the PDP to the APC at a time when Nigerians feel the most unsafe in their homeland? When the States of Plateau, Benue and Bornu have become theatres of human barbecues. Is it not stupidity to elect a blood stained and a blood soaked mandate over being in a Party in the opposition?
Is it not a show of shame to elect a mandate that has left the masses of the people in poverty, despondency and want over fueling the fervour of an opposition seeking a new deal and a new Republic of hope for the people? Which sincere and people oriented leader would dump the opposition for a Party that is absolutely rudderless and progressively multiplying poverty? Only the soulless and the shameless, surely.
The fulminating shenanigans that undermine the monstrous corruption of the APC Government, the unending Infrastructural decay, the unhinged failure of the energy and the power sector, the pervasive hunger, disease and pain in the land, and the murderous gangs killing and maiming citizens with reckless abandon defines the Olympic soullessness of the Delta State Political Merchants who have elected a Blood Stained Mandate over matching for the redemption of Nigeria.
I believe that it is manifest stupidity to desert the opposition at a time that our nation is in dire straits and badly craving vibrant opposition. I believe that it is a show of shame to decamp to a Party and a Government that has failed to protect lives and property.
And I hereby lampoon with unbridled vehemence all those who have chosen to stand on the blood stained and blood soaked mandate that PBAT epitomizes.
Hmmm, so suddenly my home State is now APC, interesting. A class of less than 300 people nay ‘leaders’ met at the Government House in Asaba, and in one fell swoop changed the political colour, temperature and identity of the State, interesting. My People, this One-Party State wey APC and PBAT dey push and pursue na to what end? PBAT and his Party the APC through this manifest antics of State capture have tied democracy to the stake, and are daily through acts of impunity, lawlessness, and braggadocio shooting violently at democracy, I pray they do not shoot this jingleover democracy to death. I pray that they understand that One Party State is the precursor to Authoritarian Rule and Dictatorship. And I pray that they are not oblivious of the politico-social tendencies of the Nigerian State, a State that cannot and has never been captured by any one tendency. In any case, before they completely murder democracy, it must be on record that someone warned against the Stupidity, against the Show of Shame and against the Shenanigans of our Political Operators.
Call me names, but let it be on record that when the elders and the hoard of egotistic political merchants that predominate our political kaleidoscope fiddled with the poisoned chalice of sycophancy and hypocrisy, I wasn’t quiet. Let it be on record that when they ate poisoned bread baked with blood stained and blood soaked mandate, and when they chose to dance on the tombs of the dead across our space who were unlived because government failed to protect them, that someone called out the discerning, and warned against the omnious times that they make certain.
The sequel to this patriotic effort shall most certainly tell more, reveal more and foretell the pitfalls that a most arrogant and self-seeking political class weave in the path of our ‘democracy’. We have got some difficult days and difficult times ahead.
Call me the Wailer, that’s ok, for I Wail that Nigeria may become Great.
Prof Chris Mustapha Nwaokobia Jnr
Convener COUNTRYFIRST MOVT. A Good Governance Advocacy Group.
It was the famous American former President, Abraham Lincoln who noted that the people when rightly and fully trusted will return the trust.
Thus, when the trust level gets high enough, people exceed apparent limits, discovering new and awesome abilities of which they were formerly unaware.
When trust is placed on those who occupy public office, they need to work had to continue to justify the trust in the people they preside over.Appointment into office is premised on the facts that the appointee is capable and will be of immense values to the realization of the aspirations of the government in power.
Thus, with the coming of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu into office, series of strategic appointment of respected and credible niger9ians were made thereafter.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had the qualities of appointing the right people in the right position, having judged their qualification and capabilities. This is a unique ability which good leaders to possess in abundance.
It was this sense of judgement that made him to appoint Chief Adegboyega Isiaka Oyetola CON as the current minister of Marine and Blue Economy.He was the former chief of Staff to the former Governor of Osun State and later became the governor of the state.
Whereby he displayed integrity, self-awareness, courage, respect, compassion, and resilience. This role allowed him to exhibit his administrative shrewdness and dedication to the advancement of the state.
During this time, he played a critical role in implementing policies and initiatives aimed at improving education, healthcare, and infrastructure.He was later appointed minister of transportation by President Bola Tinubu on 16 August 2023, but redeployed four days later to the newly created Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
Despite the newness of the ministry, his leadership abilities and acumen as well as his professional qualification eminently qualifies him for the arduous job, for he pursued his education with diligence, earning a degree in Applied Accounting from the prestigious University of Lagos.
With a passion for learning and a keen eye for effective management, he embarked on a career that would see him excel in various sectors.
According to the World Bank, the blue economy is the “sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs while preserving the health of ocean ecosystem.”
European Commission defines it as “All economic activities related to oceans, seas and coasts, the realization that Nigeria has vast ocean ecosystem justifies the creation of the ministry.
The ministry’s four action pillars for its first four years (2023–2027) are: promoting sustainable blue economy investments; transforming port operations; enhancing port infrastructure; and strengthening blue governance.
Under Oyetola’s leadership, the ministry targets attracting $2 billion in investments in offshore renewable energy by 2025; establishing at least five new fish processing plants by 2025 and at least two new coastal tourism sites by 2026; and creating three million marine and blue economy-related jobs by 2027.
The importance of this ministry lies in the fact that the life of the planet and correct functioning of ecosystem services are sustained by marine ecosystems.
The blue economy thus has the potential to achieve a sustainable development which does not compromise life on Earth tomorrow.
Thus, his appointment eminently justifies and in line with the aspiration s to make Nigeria a great nation.His achievements in office are attributed to maritime security and safety, port operational efficiency, infrastructure rehabilitation, connectivity and blue economy development.
The Minister, who unfolds the strategic plans of the Ministry and the Agencies which would focus on maritime security, safety, ship building & maintenance, maritime governance, port infrastructure rehabilitation, capacity building, among others.
Under his leadership, the Nigeria’s territorial waters became safer especially in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG) in the past one year, with the maritime sector recorded zero incidence of piracy and maritime terrorism for more than one year.
Ports were upgraded and his ministry worked assiduously to actualize the implementation of the National Single Window at the nation’s ports to facilitate trade and competitiveness of country’s port system.
The value his outstanding leadership will also impact on the acceptability and reelection of the present administration in 2027.
We Commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the confidence reposed in and the subsequent Appointment of Chief Gboyega Oyetola as the Minister of the Marine and Blue Economy.
He is honest and transparent in his stronger determination to reposition the sector as the leading source of revenue to the country and will surely do more based on his past robust antecedents. We thus call on all Nigerians to support his vision and pragmatic leadership in the office, so as to enable impact the lives of many more citizens of the country.
Dr K.M.Tugga is an Abuja resident and public affairs commentator
By Rinret Jennifer Mwarap
The unrelenting massacre of citizens in Plateau State has reached an alarming level. While the government claims to be taking steps to restore order, the reality on the ground tells a different story one that feels like nothing meaningful is being done.
It is heartbreaking to see our loved ones butchered without cause. The questions torment us: What have we done wrong? Who have we offended? Where did we go astray? Must we continue to endure this suffering for no justifiable reason?
The killing of innocent people in Plateau must come to an end. The government and security forces cannot afford to look away. Their responsibility is clear they must act swiftly and decisively to bring the perpetrators to justice, for the sake of the innocent victims and the children left behind.
I call on the Governor of Plateau State to rise to this challenge. Take bold and immediate action against those who seek to destroy our land and shed innocent blood. Let them face the full weight of the law.
This feels like a nightmare—how did we get to the point where the same Plateau where I once slept peacefully with both eyes closed is now a place where even sleeping with one eye open feels unsafe?
Where is the peace in our “Home of Peace and Tourism”?
When will our tears dry? When will justice prevail?
If we truly seek peace, then justice must be non-negotiable.