December 07, (THEWILL) – A chieftain of the Oron Federal Constituency in Akwa Ibom State, Architect Okon NseAbasi, has shared in the sentiment of the people of Itu Federal Constituency, to produce the next man to sit at the Hilton Mansion’s seat of Government of the state come 2023.
NseAbasi, who had an exclusive interaction with THEWILL correspondent in Uyo, said, apart from the fact that the area has been marginalized since the Advent of South Eastern States as a geopolitical entity till the metamorphosis which has evolved to the present day Akwa Ibom State, the area is the bedrock of development and technical education in the present Akwa Ibom State.
He said if well harnessed and given a chance, Akwa Ibom State will attend financial independence before the end of the tenure between 2023 and 2031.
“Itu Federal Constituency produced the bedrock of technical education. When you talk of craftsmanship; check very well, that axis produce the best Carpenters, fashion designers, Rafia and Cain furniture makers etc.
“It will only take someone from that axis to discover what is hidden in the large expanse of the swampy land in Itu Federal Constituency made up of Itu and Ibiono Ibom Local Government Areas. There is oil in commercial quantity, there may be other mineral resources that are yet to be discovered.
“It will take someone from Itu to know exactly what to do with the defunct Nigerian Newsprints Manufacturing Company (NNMC). We need to buy that facility from the Federal Government and revamp it to generate revenue for the state, it can be turned to a state polytechnic.” The chieftain reasoned.
Architect Okon NseAbasi, who is a former commissioner of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs reasons among other issues that if Itu Federal Constituency is marginalized further, it therefore shows that his Federal Constituency would not be given a chance when the time comes for Eket Senatorial District to take another slot at the top office.
Though he has zeroed his support to Mr. James Iniama, a renound Estate Surveyor and Valuer, whom he discribes as having high grade intelligence and solid ability even as he has learnt simplicity over the years as a successful business man, he is calling on the people of the Federal Constituency to carry out a thorough search and come out with their best product for the top job for the rest of the state to adopt.
“James Iniama my friend is someone with top grade practical intelligence. I knew him in the University of Nigeria, we were both in Enugu campus and I admire his simplicity. Let all educated people in Itu and Ibiono come together, scrutinize and bring out one person. Let the micro zoning begin in the Federal Constituency.
“Also, let all the aspirants from Itu Federal Constituency submit to and internal convention and decide to support one person and that would be the first Micro Zoning. They must be able to let others see that they love and have unity of purpose.
“Each of them has a home work to do, let them avail themselves and tell the people how more intelligent one is from the other. Tell us what you know and the people you will use to accomplish the job, that will show the level is preparedness.” He noted.
“We will go as far as demanding to know the team he or she has put in place to work with: imagine is President Bihari had appointed Pat Utomi as the Minister for Labor, the whole world would say; yes, come and do what you have been saying but appointing Chris Ngige… What does he know about labour? What does he know about entrepreneurship? You only knew what you have studied.” He maintained.
He described Mr. James Iniama, one of the front line Governorship hopefuls from Itu Local Government Area of the state in the 2023 election as a good product for the top job saying that he has learned simplicity over the years and can relate favourably with all classes of people according to their needs.
“His decision to contest again after 2007 shows that he is humble. He is intelligent enough and we’ll prepared to lead Akwa Ibom State.
People who are well informed in Akwa Ibom State should come together and talk about 2023. Akwa Ibom should compete favourably with countries who have equivalent of our population, our geographical linage and disposition. We should be able to survive like a country of our own. Our prosperity must be internal. We should be able to float an oil company like Mobil, we should own banks. No matter how brilliant and intelligent, you are; without access to funds, you are no where. He stressed.
He called on the people of Uyo Senatorial District of the state and Itu Federal Constituency in particular to come together and project a credible indigene like James Iniama who is by all means ready and with over 30 years experience at managing a successful business empire will no doubt deliver on the mandate.
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