Governor Udom Is Pregnant – Aide brags

Mrs. Etimfon Kenneth is the special assistant to the Governor on project supervision. She is also the State facilitator of PDP E-women network. She runs an empowerment/ training programmes for the women, less privilege and widows in different sphere of the economy. She is a symbol of rectitude with passion for excellence. In this no bound interview with Edet Edet, she speaks on Governor Udom’s administration and its benefits to Akwa Ibom.  

Excerpt: 

Barely Eight Months ago, you were appointed SA to Governor Udom Emmanuel on project supervision, what have you been able to contribute to the present administration? 

 The ideology of this present administration is to help men and women rise to the faith of greatness. It is an initiative that acts as a guide to students, workers, business men and women, contractors etc. everyone bestowed with the mandate as SA, PA, Commissioner etc. is being driven by this initiative “Dakkada”. My contributions in this administration are in this regards; educating women and girl child on the need to be morally independent, aiding them to use their hands to build a future that will be appreciable by posterity. Apart from following this initiative, as an SA on project supervision, I am undeterred in making sure that every project supervised by me conforms to the standard as proposed by the state government or report to the appropriate quarters. 

On the course of projects supervision in the state, have you found any substandard project that needs to be reviewed by the government? 

No, Not at all. One thing I have noticed since the inception of this administration is that contractors see themselves to be part of the government. They realized that when there is a strict principal, you won’t dare deviate from the set rules and laws. Just as the Governor is, so are the contractors. None have been found wanting or subjected to question in regards substandard jobs. 

Having worked with Governor Udom Emmanuel as an aide, how will you assess his performance one year into his administration? 

I would have spoken volume if you were an outsider. But I will make this answer so succinct because you are not blind, deaf or an outsider. Governor Udom’s developmental strides are fast becoming a mantra on the lips of all Akwa Ibom people even amid the dwindling oil price. Akwa Ibom is so lucky to have His Excellency, Mr. Udom Emmanuel as their governor. Governor Udom’s performance has proven critics wrong. From building of infrastructure to the agricultural sector which is seen as the replacement for crude oil speaks volume of his proactive measures to build a new facet for Akwa Ibom State. Go through Akwa Ibom right now, you will see that Governor Emmanuel is working and Akwa Ibom is moving forward without hitch. 

You mean Governor Udom is really working, why do people complain that Akwa Ibom was better when Akpabio was Governor? 

You know human beings are always very funny. If you want to weigh on the crucible the volume of criticisms against Akpabio’s administration from his inauguration to his exit and ones brought against Udom Emmanuel today, it means that people will never stop talking. While thousands emulate the legendary of Sir Akpabio courtesy of his procreations that cuts across every sphere of the economy, mediocre in the guise of critics with an aim to create relevancy where they are unnoticed are bent on ridiculing and questioning the goodwill of the harbinger of uncommon transformation. Though they didn’t love Akpabio, they can’t and will never love Akpabio’s successor, Mr. UDOM EMMANUEL. The same thing they said about Akpabio is what they are trying to replicate on Governor Udom Emmanuel. You can’t judge a man from birth. When Governor Udom is through with his job in Akwa Ibom, people will have no other option but to emulate him for a job well done. 

What hope is there for Akwa Ibom people as oil price keeps dwindling? 

The entire Akwa Ibom people gave Governor Udom their mandate to govern. It was because they knew that Udom Emmanuel is the man with the required intellect to drive Akwa Ibom in this economic trying time. Let me tell you something, Governor Udom Emmanuel is pregnant; and his pregnancy is issue based. As Udom slouch in the labour room with mixed expectations of what is beneath his protruding abdomen, it is unethical with no historical precedent supporting the permutations of an unprofessional, unskilled person in regards what the outcome of his pregnancy could be. Pregnancy tests can only be performed by renowned gynecologist or reliable laboratory scientist; their expertise can foretell what to expect, even when it fails in some situations. Those who engage in wild guess, assumptions and conclusions about an unborn child, end up buying cloths for a male child when the wife delivers a female child. Performing a scan using my perception and seeable strides as an instrument on Udom Emmanuel’s pregnancy, it could be ascertain that he is a carrier of divine purpose; where lies infrastructure and other necessities of Akwa Ibom people. It will be delivered in phases for the consolidation and continuity of his predecessor’s good works. All I say is patience and prayers are what we need right now and not blames and criticisms. It is too early for critics. 

You sound so confident with this administration, what convinces you? 

It is obvious that Udom’s administration was the plan of God for Akwa Ibom that is why his beginning buttresses it all. Can’t you see the infrastructural plans? Can’t you see the agricultural plan? His plans across every sphere of the economy prove beyond reasonable doubt that he will never disappoint Akwa Ibom People. Many people want fish but Governor Udom wants to teach you fishing. He is ready to sacrifice his all to buy you the fishing technicality so you can earn from it, and not eat a while and beg later. That brings about my conviction. 

What are your plans for your people? 

My people are my priority. To me leadership is an attitude. It is a way of life to so many people; it is reflected in a man’s thought, actions, convictions and desires. From the intuition of a true leader, his desires and convictions are parallel and traverse the length and breadth of the outmost depth of his people’s pangs. His conceived thoughts are selfless, humanly and beget unimaginable and unpredictable developments that are laudable. From this ideology, I place my people first above all my wants. Plans for my people began since I was called to service. It is “Dakkada” from the state to villages and that is what I am practicing. I started with empowerment and training for women mostly widows and the less privilege. My empowerment and training programme cuts across the agriculture sector, where people are being trained to raise poultry birds, fishery and piggery. Also inclusive is the fashion designing, hair dressing, entrepreneurship etc.