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BUILDING TOGETHER, GROWING TOGETHER THROUGH THE POWER OF CONVICTION– BEING AN OFFICIAL DECLARATION SPEECH OF HON ONOFIOK LUKE ON 16TH MARCH, 2022 AT THE IBOM HALL GROUNDS

Protocol

First, I give Glory to God for an awesome day like this and for his many mercies. It is indeed by His Amazing Grace that we have not been consumed.

Today presents us with a chance to meet with destiny and in the long history of our great state, only a few generations have been foisted with the responsibility of standing true to the power of conviction to defend our democracy and freedom in times of great danger. The baton has been passed on to me and you and we welcome this responsibility. We will not shy away from it.

The Ibom Hall grounds where we stand today is a symbol of the growth and continued unity of our dear state and the fierce determination of its people. It is an edifice that holds many memories having witnessed our moments of gains and losses, our growth and development, wars and peaceful moments, our growth in leaps and bounds, our dedication as a state to God, the celebration of our beautiful culture, the laying of wreathes to our fallen heroes, our carol celebrations and today is witnessing the people’s movement towards enthroning a visionary, purposeful and competent leadership to build our future.

Fellow Akwa Ibomites, Residents, Friends and Well-Wishers, I am honoured that having been schooled through the formal education system, groomed and incubated in the leadership womb of our dear state for 15 years and after wide consultations with critical stakeholders and the people of Akwa Ibom State, I am pleased to officially inform you that I will be participating in the 2023 general elections for the position of the Governor of our beloved State.

I am Onofiok Akpan Luke, a native of Ikot etobo in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. As a Child born in Ikot etobo, you are not given a chance. You are born into a tiny precinct quarantined from global events with no dreams, hopes and aspirations.

Your chances shrink further when you grow with a slender frame like mine; already thought a weakling, incompetent, inexperienced and generally assumed small. Faced with this situation, you only have the love and confidence of your parents and family who believe in your strengths, understand your weaknesses and hold your hands with the belief that you are more than you are assumed to be, and working hard enough to ensure they strengthen you with the tools to enhance your chances at competing globally even from the backwaters. Your father becomes your hero teaching you courage, culture, determination, diligence and the dignity of labour. Your mother becomes a dependable anchor teaching you compassion, the fear of God, humility, charity, temperance, patience and temperance.

When at 13, you lose your hero to the cold pangs of death, your walls come crumbling and you choose to either, stand or fall, walk or crawl, limp or soar. This is my story and for me, I chose to stand, walk and soar.

Today, many years later, I am still standing with an aspiration to lead this great state and her wonderful people as Governor.

When I chose to stand after that unfortunate incident, it was so I could be there for my four siblings and my mother. I knew this would make my late father proud but as time went by, I realized that My father would have wanted much more; more people finding a voice; more people having a representative, more young persons born in the seemingly obscure places given platforms to compete globally with anyone in their age grade, many more families being able to afford the basic necessities, more people living in good-health to their old ages due to effective and affordable health-care, many more small businesses becoming big, many more barrier breaking technological advances and innovations.

This realization of a call for greater duty stirred my passion for Public Service and when in 2002, I rode on the popular will of the people to emerge as President of the Students’ union of the University of Uyo, I could only understand the yearnings and aspirations of the people. I developed the strength of character, goodwill, outspokenness and the power of conviction. This helped us dethrone the high-handedness of the authorities at the risk of the seemingly irreversible private inconveniences.

This role and the years after it afforded me the needed opportunity to understudy the history and workings of our dear state and her people while maintaining national relevance. The practical vision and the development template of our first democratically elected Governor, Obong (Arc.) Victor Attah is an eloquent testimony of our unmatched aspirations as a people and a reminder of the unfinished work at hand. His legacy lifted up our state and inspired the leaders who succeeded him. One is the man who gave me the opportunity to work closer in the corridors of power as personal assistant, Senator God’swill Akpabio and the other, Deacon Udom Emmanuel in whose first tenure, I led the state legislature.

These great leaders have massively improved the aerial, waterline and road transportation gateways in our state with consequent industrialization legacies and for the depths we were as a state and the heights we are now, one can only appreciate the impressive work done but we are a state of champions and we reckon that there is even greater work at hand. As champions, we know that whenever we win, we raise the bar and aim higher.

I believe that the experiences garnered over these fifteen years in the leadership incubation hub has increased my awareness on our state, the strengths and weaknesses of the successive governments and I have learnt valuable lessons on governance, people management and resources management. These experiences place me in a vantage position to lead us to our collectively desired Eldorado by consolidating on our gains, avoiding the pitfalls and delivering results. We know the facts, we have the solution!

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, the Great political icon of our generation in his immortal words said:

“What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.”

These words in a nutshell have been my political philosophy, as a Patriot of this great state, Akwa Ibom.

Let me repeat that quote but this time personalise it to the man standing before you today.

What counts to Onofiok Akpan Luke is not the mere fact that he has lived on the shores of the West African coast as a citizen of Nigeria and as an indigene of the oil rich State of Akwa Ibom. But what counts is the difference he will make. The difference I will make, first – to the ancestral land of my birth, my beautiful and precious State Akwa Ibom and secondly by extension to this great nation, called Nigeria as that will determine the significance of my legacy and the generational stones I am determined to sow and to leave behind for the present and for the future generations yet unborn.

There is a great Ancient Greek saying that goes thus, “A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they shall never sit.”

I am that tree. I am the tree of a good man. My late father Mr Akpan Luke. I am the tree he planted 44 years ago and whose shade he would never sit under. But that same tree today has grown with the help of God and with the support of the people and today is embarking on a journey to provide shade, security, jobs, health, effective educational system, leadership with empathy and compassion.

I give Glory to God. And to Jesus our Lord. And to my Great Comforter the Holy Spirit. For mine is a story of tragedy to triumph therefore if you are watching and listening to me right now and life has become – impossible, intolerable and meaningless. I am speaking to you today.

I have been there. And I know what it feels like. And sometimes you think maybe you should end it all. But that is why God has raised me. It is for your sake that I am standing here today.

People have often asked me – why have I chosen the scriptural verse “Amazing Grace” for my campaign.

And my answer. When you know where I have been and where I am coming from and where I am going and what I am about to become – it indeed will have to be God’s Amazing Grace.

The first first lesson I learnt from my mother was this – to make a man you must build the man. To make a man, you must invest in the man. We can dream. We can hope. We can have faith of what we want to become. But Faith without Works, the Good Book says is Dead!

My mother did not just stop at dreaming of what I will become today. She invested her meagre resources as a primary school teacher in the man you see standing before you.

But until the leadership of Nigeria and Akwa Ibom State becomes clinical, methodical, committed and patriotic in building the capacity of her citizens – the unending cycle of generational poverty might not abate and may continue to plague and devour generations unborn.

And that is why HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT shall be the boat, the mast and the flag of my administration and my government.

The thrust, the arrow head and the battle axe of my mission will be to build you, build your capacity, build your skills, build your talents, build your employment opportunities, build your jobs, build your aspirations and build your dreams.

And it will all be captured in one phrase ‘HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT’.

This will be the thrust of my visionary team. Our mission will be to build Akwa Ibomites into entrepreneurial giants. A haven of jobs and employment with a buffet of opportunities.

We will not just train you, we will give you the capital, the resources and the professionals who will grow you into the entrepreneurial giants of Nigeria and by extension West Africa.

Some people might think I am promising too much and that these lofty ideas sound wonderful but are impossible to implement.

I ask those ones to go back into history because this is exactly what some said when the Ibibio Union established a scholarship scheme to train our gifted and talented progenitors abroad in 1938. The first ever in Nigeria by an indigenous group.

Governor Obong Victor Attah’s father, Obong Bassey Udo Adiaha Attah, the great agriculturalist was one of the ‘Merchants of Light’.

Governor and Senator Godswill Akpabio’s Uncle, Dr Ibanga Akpabio, the great educationist who founded Ibibio State College was also one of the merchants of light.

And in the current government Her Excellency Martha Udom Emmanuel’s great Grandfather Obong Samson Udo Idiong was the founding member of Ibibio Union in 1928 which sent out our merchants of light.

Our Nigerian brothers from neighbouring tribes and the British colonialists threw doubts at the enterprise, they said it was impossible and unnecessary, a waste of resources. But our forefathers achieved the impossible, when they gave scholarships to six of our sons to study abroad. The first time ever indigenous scholarship scheme in Nigeria.

And they were –

Bassey U.A Attah – Agriculture – Uyo District

Obot Antia Obong – Medicine – Itu District

Ibanga U. Akpabio – Education – Ikot Ekpene

Asuquo U. Idiong – Medicine – Abak District

Egbert Udo Udoma – Law – Ikot Abasi District

James L. Nsima – Education – Eket District

It was after the success of the above scholarships that all other tribes in Nigeria began to emulate us. We have always led Nigeria and we will never settle for second place.

Our ancestors dreamt the impossible and achieved what was possible. If they could do it then, when they had no resources, no oil, no federal allocation, why can’t we repeat the same feat in the 21st century. This time in the economic sector. Why can’t we lead Nigeria again?

You and I must ask the question, how long will our people depend on our dwindling oil reserves. How long will our youths feast on crumbs and are recycled on the wheels of the treacherous triangle of poverty, unemployment and perpetual economic slavery?

I tell you today, get ready because this is your time, this is your hour; we are determined to build you into the new Akwa Ibom citizen, the Entrepreneurial colossus. This will be the battle axe of my administration and I am calling on you to join me.

The clarion call of my campaign is Building Together and Growing Together. If we are going to build together then we must grow together. That was an important lesson that our mother taught us. She never left any of my siblings behind. And what does it mean? It means NO NOBODY WILL BE LEFT BEHIND!

In Akwa Ibom State we have left a vast majority of our people behind. We have abandoned them. Only a privileged few of us have enjoyed the dividends of this democracy. They build the best houses. Their children are in the best schools. Perhaps it is not deliberate. But our political system today is programmed to leave people out. It cannot go on like this.

Obong Victor Attah was the great visionary planner – he drew up the Masterplan of our great State. From Obong Attah I learnt visionary leadership. However when it was time to divide the dividends of our democracy under his tenure it was handed over to a privileged few.

Under Governor Akpabio the master builder. His administration firmly planted Akwa Ibom State in the Infrastructural map of Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea. I was Akpabio’s aide and under his administration I learnt “the audacity of ambition”. Gov. Akpabio made great efforts to reach out to the masses but his efforts were hijacked by political middlemen. Again only a privileged few benefited.

Under Governor Udom Emmanuel, industries ceased to become dusty proposals on government shelves. His government has been bold to dare where many feared to tread. Industries have been built but top and middle management positions, from the CEO to the lowest runged managers are managed by non indigenes. And again only a privileged few have been fortunate.

And sometimes I ask myself – who are those that will man and manage Ibom Deep Sea Port?

The great 21 storey skyscraper who are those that will fill up the floors?

Are we going to have foreigners and non indigenes take over the fruits and sweat of our labour – while the sons and daughters of the land are the cleaners and the gatemen of these facilities. God forbid this to happen to us!

This is why we can no longer afford to abandon our own. Nobody is to blame. It is an inbuilt systemic failure and one we will address in our government.

And I repeat nobody will be left behind this time around.

The same way Obong Attah drew up the Masterplan for Akwa Ibom State, is the same way the Amazing Grace Project is designing the Masterplan which will methodically build up our people.

We must challenge the injustice that has haunted our land. The Social Injustice that has kept us poor.

I still remember how Obong Victor Attah singlehandedly fought and won the battle for resource control. He sacrificed his political ambition. He lost favour at the centre but he didn’t lose his people.

Akwa Ibom State has ranked consistently from 2006 as the highest producer of crude oil in Nigeria. Our oil was building massive roads in Abuja. Our oil was paying workers salaries at the centre. Our oil was creating jobs and employment opportunities for other Nigerians yet our people were living in abject 19th century poverty.

We won the battle for resource control. We won 13% derivation but today our poverty is worst than pre 2006. Why are our people still miserably poor?

The answer is simply that we are not growing together. Our society has become divided. We are no longer patriotic to the people’s cause. Only the 1% are growing. We are committed to addressing this imbalance and we must break the shackles and relics of slavery and truly set our people totally free!

Onofiok Akpan Luke will not accept this injustice and I urge you not to accept it. You were made for better aspirational dreams. You are a share holder and it is your right to harness the full benefits and potential of the resources of this land. My mission is to build us on the resources and to break our dependence on oil and rely on renewable energy.

We will offer our people credible leadership and real solutions! I pledge to implement a zero tolerance for corruption and a one-strike-out policy that will ensure that natural justice procedures are followed.

Our policy direction will rest on nine pillars:

• Food Sufficiency & Agricultural Development

-Education

-Healthcare

-Technology Development

-Entrepreneurial & Industrial development

-Tourism, Sports & Entertainment

-Youth, Women & Social Inclusion

-Security, Environment & Infrastructure

-Good Governance & Administration

While I will make a view highlights on a few of these pillars of development, I plead to refer us to the hard copies of these documents shared here today and the soft copy which can be found on our website – https://www.amazinggraceproject.ng

In the past seven years, the cost of living has continued to rise steeply thereby diminishing significantly the purchasing power of the average person and the standard of living for families continues to deteriorate. We will reduce significantly the cost of food by creating the enabling environment designed to ensure massive increase in local food production which, over time, will eliminate our over reliance on imported food.

Similarly, we will revolutionize our State’s energy infrastructure by ensuring that the power generated by our resources are first enjoyed by our people. We shall explore all legal procedures to ensure that this becomes a reality in our first two years in office. Additionally, we shall work assiduously on renewable energy sources. This two-prong approach shall lead to the reduction in the cost of energy that will impact greatly on the manufacturing and business sectors that will culminate in the emergence of new entrepreneurs, expansion of existing businesses and increased employment.

Agriculture has been the mainstay of our economy but the involvement and development of our people in this sector shrink daily and as a consequence of this, we would need to increase and build the capacity of our own people towards growing what we eat, expanding scientific research and training opportunities, technical assistance and training to farm groups and agribusinesses. When these capacity enhancement efforts for our people are made, Sizable investments will be made to boost our agricultural sector, and we will provide the much-needed infrastructure, funds for agricultural loans and access to knowledge of best-practices to boost production and provide jobs for our teeming youthful population while improving food security.
This will be aimed at using agriculture as major source of revenue earnings for the State and to position the State as the next foot basket of the Federation. The most important part of my value proposition is increasing our productivity level to ensure that Akwa Ibom State can compete with other emerging economies.

We can do this easily if we engender a greater sense of inclusiveness by ensuring that as we build together, we will also partake in the benefits, and grow together. Akwa Ibom is one of the most peaceful and resource-rich states in Nigeria, blessed with brilliant minds and natural resources.

It is therefore important for us to invest in human capacity development to improve skills and empower our people to build and grow, while improving infrastructure and attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into the state.

We see immense potential in partnering the private sector, our diaspora community, Developmental Financial Institutions (DFIs) and International Donor Agencies to accelerate economic growth, improve quality of life, and create sustainable jobs for Akwa Ibom indigenes.Agriculture has been the mainstay of our economy but the involvement and development of our people in this sector shrink daily and as a consequence of this, we would need to increase and build the capacity of our own people towards growing what we eat, expanding scientific research and training opportunities, technical assistance and training to farm groups and agribusinesses.

When these capacity enhancement efforts for our people are made, Sizable investments will be made to boost our agricultural sector, and we will provide the much-needed infrastructure, funds for agricultural loans and access to knowledge of best-practices to boost production and provide jobs for our teeming youthful population while improving food security.

Health is another area in which we intend to make giant strides, by improving access to primary health in our rural communities and ensuring that health insurance is available. Our first motivation as a people to get involved and benefit from the promised growth is good health and this is a core pillar of our policy. It is the understanding of this need that led me to sponsor the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency Bill, and the State Health Insurance Scheme Bill, both of which were passed into law.

As a matter of urgency, we will ensure the reskilling and training of our Healthcare workers to ensure their capacity is maximized. It is a fact that Health care workers (HCWs) often work in a challenging and a stressful environment. Many of the complaints against HCWs relate to poor communication, and much of the stress and anxiety felt by health professionals is reportedly due to difficulties in dealing with patients.

To address this, we will develop a regular Capacity Building Programme aimed at ensuring healthcare professionals have better communication skills to deal with complex situation, are better able to share health information with patients and are better supported to prevent or alleviate their own stress and anxiety.

EDUCATION

Education is a major pillar of development in our effort towards building our people and their capacity. We intend to invest in building the capacity of the faculty reviewing the curriculum to meet with the current reality and providing infrastructure to ensure safer schools initiative. Our administration will also upgrade infrastructure in schools and improve the welfare of teachers and students across the State through the provision of educational support via merit-based scholarships and bursaries, and upskilling opportunities for teachers.

This will in no small measure prepare our students and afford them the needed boost to compete with their peers anywhere in the worldDeveloping human capital requires creating and cultivating environments in which people can rapidly learn and apply new and innovative ideas, while building the required competencies to enable them to compete globally.

The Nigerian Information Technology (IT) scene has morphed from a handful of technology enthusiasts with limited access to resources in the early 2000s, to an exciting and innovative arena today where young Nigerians are making a difference by building useful software applications, attaining vital positions in global technology firms, and solving Nigeria’s and Africa’s problems through technology.Akwa Ibom State is an emerging technology hub, and we will make it a priority to provide access to IT education, mentorship programs and technology incubation facilities for our youth. We will ensure that Information Technology becomes a fundamental part of our educational system in Akwa Ibom.

This is the only way that we can produce a globally competitive next generation of leaders from Akwa Ibom.We will ensure that salaries, gratuities, and pensions are paid on time, and that our civil service is well-equipped and repositioned for increased productivity and efficiency.

We have hope in enormous potential of our people and we will ensure we BUILD our people to be managers of our sectors. Our Aviation sector would be enhanced when we prepare adequately to cut capital flight which is the effect of the unavailability of our own people manning the sectors.

To this end, we will strategically train aerospace engineers, air traffic controllers, aircraft mechanics and technicians, quality control personnel, pilots and even members of our cabin crew. It is our belief that in no time, the professionals we build will man our sectors.

Thankfully, we have obtained the approval of the Full Business Case of the Ibom Deep seaport project and we can only imagine to what extent the completion of this project would lift our state and attract investors.

The fundamental concern is on how to ensure our people our better prepared and their capacities enhanced to be part of this massive sector.
In our efforts at Human Capacity Development, we will train our citizens in offshore pipe laying, marine and vessel engineering, port and ship management as well as maritime law.Our administration will ensure gender equity social inclusiveness by investing in the creation of programs that provide opportunities for women to increase their incomes, gain relevant skills, participate in governance, and continue to contribute in even more impactful ways to our society.We will also ensure a more inclusive society for persons living with disabilities and the Vulnerable in the state by promoting social inclusion programs in schools and communities, and investing in structures that make living easier and safer.

Youth, Sports and Talent Development are other areas where we intend to develop the capacity of our people in. We will provide our youths with the right platforms to help them gain marketable skills with which they can build livelihoods and excel in our nation. We will be celebrating our wins no matter how small- be it intellectual, scholarly, and creative wins.We will promote the development of sports in our State by encouraging participation in sports at all levels through tournament sponsorships, athlete sponsorships, and sports scholarships. Our traditional sports will be celebrated and promoted.
The world over, tourism is a major source of revenue and Akwa Ibom State has in abundance tourism sites and the greatest history on the African continent, from the Ibibio historic migration, to the transatlantic slave trade from Ikot Abasi and Uruan. Ibeno has the most beautiful beach and the longest coastline in Nigeria. Ibeno is a treasure trove in need of a Five Star Beach Hotel.

Our government will prioritize the rebuilding of ancient and historical tourist sites.

We will develop Akwa Ibom’s Tourism and Entertainment industry and promote the State as the ideal tourist destination and as a fast-growing entertainment hub. We intend to take full advantage of the beautiful landscapes, historical landmarks, creative talent and beautiful culture that we have been blessed with.

The contemporary multifaceted tourism industry is a highly dynamic field of human activity that has been developing into a leading industry capable of generating sufficient revenue for our state. The growth of this sector is hinged on the capacity and depth of our tourism professionals.

To underscore the importance of this sector, many professional bodies like Confederation of Tourism and Hospitality, the Institute of Hospitality, the Hospitality Guild offer membership and certification trainings to enhance one’s status within the field of tourism and hospitality. It is our Goal to build strategic partnerships to have our people trained in this sector as they are the first signpost to our accommodative nature as a state and their ability to engage investors who visit our state will be an added advantage. We shall formulate effective training programs designed to prepare our young people for the pending new economy.

Ours will be a holistic approach in its design and execution, affording stakeholders opportunities to participate in the development initiatives. Importantly, preserving our State’s patrimony and the unique way of life enjoyed by the Akwa Ibom people for centuries will be part of our vision for a diversified tourism product that will also include cultural renaissance.
Industrialization will be a major area of focus of our administration. We will strive for the completion and utilization of the Liberty Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone, and the Ibom Deep Sea Port, among other projects, through effective collaboration with relevant stakeholders. I reiterate that we will also build capacity within the State by making sure that our youths have the right skills to take up roles in these emerging industrial hubs.

The economy of our dear state would only take a downward spiral if we do not build a viable structure for Small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs). These enterprises constitute the foundation on which any economy rests and we will prioritize them through the provision of interest free loans and grants as well as a special fund set aside for this purpose. This will be followed through by periodic evaluation of impact assessment.

Infrastructures are not built in a vacuum or by aliens. They are built by people. We will certainly miss the mark if we neglect the people who will build and maximize these infrastructures. As such, it is an integral part of our policy drive to develop competencies of our people for improved manpower needs for our policy drive in transportation infrastructure, critical infrastructures (shelter, energy, education), energy infrastructure, information and communication infrastructure, sustainable urban infrastructure as well as healthcare infrastructure. You truly do not build a state. You build people who in turn build the state and we are committed to this purpose.

From the foregoing, it is palpably clear that the enthronement of the amazing grace project would be the enthronement of our people, an enhancement of their individual capacities and the promotion of their readiness for the massive investment of our economy for these investments would meet a ready people ready to be part of the growth of our dear state.

We propose an all-inclusive government, where development across the state will be simultaneous and impactful, and where resources will be distributed equally and fairly.
In the pursuit of our aforesaid GOALs, we hope to;

-Tenaciously follow the positive ideals of our founding fathers

-Consciously raise a generation of audacious public/private sector leaders

-Vigorously pursue a self-reliant economic agenda as set and developed by previous and present administrations

-Spiritually build our trust and confidence in God

-Passionately, conscientiously and sincerely put the interest of our people first through selfless service

-Strategically open our doors to visitors and investors as hospitable people

• Ensure adequate protection of lives and property of our people

-Defend the interest and rights of our people while diligently seeking redress where such rights are violated.

Our government will be for everyone – from remote communities in the marshlands of Eastern Obolo to those in the highlands of Itu, from communities like Nditia and Ikot Udota in Eket LGA, to communities such as Obot Mme in Ini LGA and Ikpanya in Ibiono-Ibom LGA, to Akpa Mfri Ukim in Uruan LGA and Okorutip in Ibeno LGA. From communities like Eyulor in Urue Offong/Oruko LGA, to Udesi Isong Inyang in Mbo LGA, from Esuk Oro in Oron LGA to Utu Ikot Ekpenyong in Ikot Ekpene LGA and Uta Ewa in Ikot Abasi LGA, among others.

Our government will be one where every ethnic group in the State will be relevant. It will be one where meritorious public service and integrity will be rewarded, and capacity will be sourced from the state and beyond.

We will encourage our brothers and sisters in the diaspora to come home and invest, and to bring their wealth of experience in different human endeavors for the benefit of the State. We aim to build an Akwa Ibom State where everyone will be treated as one. An Akwa Ibom State for persons with disabilities, a State for the elderly, a State that empowers our youth, a State where gender equality thrives, a State of equal opportunities for all, and a State where the rule of law is upheld.

Finally, with the capacity and genuine intentions that I have, I want to offer Akwa Ibomites leadership and governance, and not politics. To achieve this I seek the wisdom of God, the partnership of every strata of the state from the Government, traditional and religious institutions, Business men and women, citizens and residents of the state, Elders, Youths, security agencies and most importantly the media so that we can build an environment for all to pursue their legitimate goals.

I seek to lead the State in the capacity of the Governor with the clear intention of providing sound, purposeful, intentional leadership. Leadership that is devoid of arrogance and shows of power. The communication of our modest achievements will not be boisterous or superfluous. We will be talking with our citizens and not talking down on them. We will magnify the strength of our people and walk with them through their weaknesses. We will amplify their virtues and encourage them to drop their vices. We will lead from the front with humility, a sense of purpose and inclusiveness, to provide solutions to the myriad challenges facing our people, using judiciously the abundant resources at our disposal, and employing the best of abundant human resources to the glory of God Almighty.

I intend to serve and leave behind legacies that will echo for many generations and a name that will be remembered positively in history.

To our youth caucus, council and other youth groups, I have shared the same challenging moments with you. I have worn t-shirts, been a bandboy and mobilized for the successes of different administrations. I know what it means to be given an opportunity at the leadership table. I am your best choice and will be a trustee of honour regarding our collective patrimony. Stand with me to build our state and future so that we can also grow together.

To those who feel I’m too young and those who feel I have spent so many years in public service, have I been found wanting in character, competence and delivery throughout my spell in the different offices I have occupied?

As every human is prone to be, I may not be perfect in the discharge of my mandates but I know the heart I have for humanity and the passion I have for service; a passion that has led me to be selfless in my years of public service.

I invite and urge you therefore to make the Amazing Grace Project your preferred choice for the Governorship of our dear State come 2023.

Dear Akwa Ibom people, we have built roads and the infrastructure built has opened up our dear state and brought opportunities. It is now time to build our people.

I want to assure you that I am fully prepared for the task of serving you and building the Akwa Ibom of our dreams, and I intend to hit the ground running when given the opportunity.

God bless Akwa Ibom state.