WHEN A LEADER MERITS SOLIDARITY AND SUPPORT...By Cyprian Umoren Until the advent of the third republic,especially during the first n second republics, demonstration of support and solidarity to preferred candidates by political support groups were almost restricted to party lines.In other words,such supports were more or less to the party.Then,Parties like NEPU, NCNC, AG and PRP amongst others,were outstanding in the national political cycle not only because of their manifestoes but because of the caliber of personalities they paraded and sponsored during the elections.Then there were not many support groups as is the case in recent times.This was mostly so because any group that supported the ideals and philosophies of the main political parties was almost a structure of the centre and could not freely carry out its mobilization campaign otherwise it was seen as a splinter group. Today, things have changed you may consider what prevails today in political cycles as digital invention or otherwise. People and groups openly support candidates that they are convinced have performed well irrespective of party affliction. And these they do in very many ways.Some have composed songs to celebrate outstanding leaders;others have published books,composed tributes and erect memorials to demonstrate support for outstanding performance and great achievements.At other times ,people go the extra mile to appreciate effective and efficient leadership by pushing for continuity and sustainability.It is obvious that the advent of the flex printing technology and the flex bill board has afforded the people to openly register they appreciation and support to performing leaders by reproducing documented evidences of their achievements and displaying same for many others to see.This medium has also been used to register support for exemplary performance and achievements.One place that this method of appreciation and solidarity is greatly utilized is in Ibiono Ibom local government area. Driving through Itak Use Abat-Okoita-Use Ikot Amama road in Ibiono Ibom,reveals that there are at least two bill boards erected by various Political Support groups in almost all the major communities along that stretch of road demonstrating appreciation for the effective representation by the Member Representing, Ibiono Ibom State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Hon Barr. Ime Okon on the one hand ,and demonstrating support and solidarity for his return to the House of Assembly for a second term on account of his effective representation and unparalleled distribution of democratic dividends. Record attest to the fact that though Ibiono Ibom has, since 1999, produced three State Assemblymen and some serviced more than one term, achievements of Hon. Barr. Ime Okon, so far, in terms of project execution and human empowerment is unparalleled. This, perhaps account for why he is been seriously pressurized by the people to go for a second term. As noted by the leader, Western Ibiaku Solidarity Group, Nde U. Nde, the performance of Barr. Ime Okon both in the chambers and his lofty programmes have endeared him to the heart of Ibiono Ibom people hence this great support for his second term. Nde noted that the various bill boards are surprise packages erected without the consent of Barr. Okon to openly show appreciation to him for his outstanding performance. From Use Abat to Okoita, the local government headquarters, there are well over thirty solidarity bill boards all supporting Obong Ime Okon for a second term. Commenting recently on the unprecedented show of solidarity and support, the chairman of consolidation 2015 campaign organisation Pastor Nkereuwem Udoette explained that one pragmatic way to let people especially those coming to Ibiono Ibom know that Ibiono Ibom have an achiever and a down to earth Representative is through these bill boards which are erected on nearly all the villages in Ibiono Ibom by the various support groups as mark of appreciation to the Hon. Ime Okon and also to rally for more support for him come 2015. From Use Abat, for instances, is the Western Ibiono Solidarity Group,THE GOLD SERVICE sponsored by the Future Is Now Initiative, other are Ibiaku Future Groups, Renewal Movement, Ibiono Ibom Patriotic Front(IIPF), Ikpa Ikot Ubo Concern Youth Solidarity, Support Organisation of Nigeria. And at Okoita and beyond are bill boards belonging to groups like Idoro Democratic Forum, Bakassi Returnees Group, Ibiaku Ette Ita Youth Congress and Ibiaku Ikot Udom Progressive Youths.Pastor Nkereuwem also noted that Barr. Ime Okon earned the support and solidarity he enjoys today in Ibiono Ibom because of his first tenure. He said his character and personality endeared him his people as he has remained focused, humble and accessible irrespective of their social standing. Obong Barr. Ime Okon has indeed done a lot in his first term and among other things records show that Barr. Ime Okon has sponsored one motion passed into laws, facilitated the restoration of electricity in many communities along Itak-Use Abat-Okoita axis of Itak-Okoita-Use Ikot Amama Road, Facilitated the linking of Ekimbok to the National Grid, Facilitated the provision of electricity transformers to Into Ukana and Into Use villages among others, Facilitated the renovation of classroom blocks in Community Secondary School, Ibiaku, Community Secondary School, Idoro, Community Secondary School, Itukho and Primary School, Ikot Efum, Facilitated the renovation of two No 6 classroom blocks with office and conveniences at Community Secondary School, Ikot Usen Ibiono Ibom L.G.A. He also facilitated the following: Construction of a six classroom block Primary School Into Esen, Ibiono Ibom L.G.A, Construction of a civic centre at Urua Abasi/Ikot Okopko Community; Provision of Solar Mini Water Project at Ikot Inyang, Provision of Solar Mini Water Project at Itu Udo; Provision of Solar Mini Water Project at Mbiakpan Ikot Edim village; Renovation of Civic Centre at Ikot Use, Construction of Assembly Hall, Community Secondary School, Ikot Usen, Renovation of a six classroom block at primary School, Afaha Itiat. He has also donated the following: a 40KVA sound proof generator to one of the constituents in aid of his hospitality business; Ten vehicles (two SUV and eight saloon cars) to top ten constituents in aid of their mobility; Disbursed Five Million Naira as capital for small business financing to various groups of persons, another Five Million has been spent as monthly grants to 20 selectee youths across the eleven wards to enable them improve their business and welfare. Barr. Okon has given educational assistance to over twenty six (26) students of Ibiono Ibom origin; Sponsored the yearly Quiz Competition for Nursery, Primary and Secondary Schools ( public and private ) in Ibiono Ibom; Donated English Language textbooks and exercise books to all Public Secondary School in Ibiono Ibom including Union Secondary School, Ibiaku, Sponsored over fifty (50) indigenes of Ibiono Ibom in vocational training in various skills; Employed ten(10) Constituents in Assembly/Constituency Office, Recommended ten(10) Constituents who have benefited from Integrated Farmers Scheme of the State Government, Recommended fifteen (15) women for empowerment under the Women Agro Entrepreneurship Development Programme (WAEDEP); Assisted many to gain employment in both public and private establishments and enrollment in various SURE-P PROGRAMMES; Make payment of N100,000 monthly to Ibiono Ibom Welfare Development Union (IWADU) and also N50,000 monthly to Ibiono Ibom Staff Association in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly with over N4m spent; over 100 indigenes have benefited in areas of health care, projects/school fees, community development,purchase of motorcycles/replacement of old ones and social welfare, including payment of hospital bill for an indigene of Ibiaku Ntuk Okpo in Ikono LGA at VVF Mbitibit Itam, Itu LGA and settlement of hospital bills to two patients in Palmer Memorial Hospital, Ikot Usen who were detained in then hospital for failure to pay their bills. In all, Barr. Ime Okon has surpassed old records and set new records that many will have to him work harder to surpass. The consensus is that when a leader merits solidarity and support by his glorious antecedents, he deserves a second term. After all, one good term deserves another. CULLED FROM MEDIA POST INTERNATIONAL
Posted on: Sat, 20 Sep 2014 07:52:58 +0000
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