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By Uwemedimoh Umanah
The first time most Nigerians heard of the Dream Team was during the Atlanta Olympics 1996 where Nigeria won the Soccer aspect of the event.
The team was the country’s under-23, whose brilliant resolve, spectacular performance, mastery of the game and commitment by both the players and the technical crew contributed to the successes recorded by the team in fiesta.
The team was arguably, the rarest blend, carefully selected and devoid of ethnic, geographical, religious and other primordial considerations which have defined and marred football in nigeria today.
One inference which Development Scholars would readily make of the Dream Team1, is that it pays to have the right persons in positions of public responsibility. This philosophical thought has guided successful leaders in the selection of their ministers, as they are the ones held accountable by the people that voted them into office.
Nicolo Machiaveli, an Italian Statesman and Diplomat argued in support of this thought. According to him: ” The of Ministers is a matter of no small moment to a Prince. Whether they shall be good or no depends on his prudence, so that the readiest conjecture we can form of the character and sagacity of a Prince, is from seeing what sort of men he has about him. When they are at once capable and faithful, we may always account him wise, since he has known to recognize their merit and to retain their fidelity…”
This, perhaps, influenced Governor Udom Emmanuel in the selection of his cabinet, which is adjudged one of the best in Nigeria. The reason for this is that Governor Emmanuel had not sacrificed merit and competence on the alter of emotions, ethnicity and other trivial sentiments.
What matters most to the Governor is the ability of his team to deliver on the mandate of his administration, taking into consideration the fact that he (the Governor) came at a very critical time in the history of the state- when there is an unprecedented avalanche in the demand for accountability, due process and fiscal responsibility in governance, and as the price of crude oil dropped astronomically, impacting dysfunctionally on the accruable revenue of the state.
Let us at this point take a closer look at some of the top members of Udom Emmanuel’s Dream Team 1 , in the context of their experience, depth, competence and inventiveness:
MR UFOT EBONG
Ufot Ebong, a Geologist, Sedimentologist, Asset Manager and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Technical Matters and Due Process is one of the greatest assets to the government of Akwa Ibom State.
With over 17 years of professional experience in an oil multinational , Mr Ebong’s versatility and knowledge of corporate governance and political leadership can not be exaggerated.
His appointment as Senior Special Assistant on Technical Matters and Due Process by His Excellency the Governor is well -deserving and thoughtful on the part of the Governor, in that, with Mr Ebong’s corporate experience, financial waste and ‘cutting of corners’ in contract execution would be averted.
Ufot Ebong is the founder of Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria, TAN , one of the pivotal socio- political groups that worked for the emergence of Governor Emmanuel. His belief in Governor Emmanuel as the most credible material for the Hilltop mansion job emanates from his background which sees quality service -delivery as a product of hard work, diligence, humility and love, all of which Governor Udom Emmanuel epitomizes.
With Mr Ebong’s humble and people- oriented disposition, top-of -the-line professional pedigree and knowledge of corporate governance and contemporary leadership, one cannot but infer that the Obot Akara -born ‘industrial tactician’ has earned a place in Governor Emmanuel’s Dream Team 1
ANIEKAN UMANAH
Aniekan Umanah, the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Information and Communication is another strategic member of Governor Emmanuel’s Dream Team 1. An historian, diplomatist, Advertising and public relations caliph, brand administrator and perception manager of no mean repute, the 7 year commissioner is one man whose wealth of experience in strategic information management and political communication, goodwill among media practitioners and political strength at home-constituency are core assets to the administration of Governor Emmanuel.
Under Mr Umanah’s stewardship of the MOI, the state has witnessed a revolution in information and communication, leading to an upsurge in private involvement in the media, and the digitalization government -owned media establishments.
Mr Umanah, a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Management has been variously described as the “communication buffer” of the administration . Itam Obasijeih calls Aniekan Umanah the “Rock of Gibraltar” for his defining roles 2015 governorship elections, during which he contained the propaganda of the opposition APC, which saw the PDP maintaining a comfortable lead in terms goodwill.
As the tempo of development in the state shifts to industrialization and job creation, it is apposite to say that the pattern of information dissemination would, naturally, be re-defined, hence the need for Mr Umanah’s expertise and doggedness at the ‘central defence’ of the Governor Emmanuel’s Dream Team 1 . That is all the more so, because, no meaningful developmental aspiration can thrive without information and communication, concludes Professor Akhaine.
MR AKAN OKON
The Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Finance, Mr Akan Okon is one public servant whose expertise, competence, zeal and experience situates him in the first eleven of Governor Emmanuel’s Dream Team 1. A seasoned financial expert with stints in the banking sector, Mr Akan Okon has both the intellectual and political capacity to drive the state finance establishment to optimality.
The recent restructuring of the Internal Revenue Service exemplified by its new leadership and the appointment of a revenue consultant to strengthen the revenue sector attest to Mr Okon sagacity, administrative mien and ability to drive the state’s financial sector.
With the dwindling fortune of the petrodollar and oil revenue, viable leadership is required in the financial sector of the state, and this compelling demand makes Akan Okon, a midfielder in the Governor’s Dream Team 1.
BARR. EMMANUEL ENOIDEM
Emmanuel Enoidem, a lawyer, statesman, political tactician and Commissioner for Investment, Commerce and Industry, is one person whose membership of the Governor’s Dream Team is an instrumentalist- good to the administration and the state in general.
Barr Enoidem’s unruffled track-record vis-a-vis timely delivery of projects attests strongly to his character, beliefs, values and ideology founded on social-democracy.
As commissioner for Housing and Urban Renewal and later Commissioner for Special Duties, in the immediate past administration of Chief Godswill Akpabio, Emmanuel Enoidem superintended over the construction and timely delivery of some milestone projects in the state such as the Governor’s Lodge, Ibom E-library, Banquet Hall, Ikot Ekpene Prisons, Ikot Ekpene Plaza, among others. The relocation of Uyo Market from Etuk Street to Akpan Andem in 2009 by a Barr Enoidem after failed attempt by successive administrations also portrayed Emmanuel Enoidem as an invaluable asset to the state.
It has been argued by political Analysts that in view of Barr Enoidem as a “political -leadership capital” and and his technocratic sagacity, the eight- year commissioner is an unshakable ‘winger’ in Governor Emmanuel’s Dream Team 1.
MR EPHRAIM INYANG-EYEN
Mr Ephraim Inyang, a retired Nigerian Customs top notch, Head of the Tranformation Initiative and Hon Commissioner for Works, Akwa Ibom State, is another political potentate and member of Governor Emmanuel’s Dream Team 1.
Mr Inyang’s commitment, sacrifices and tenacity to the Udom Emmanuel project and political cause are not at all contentious. What have carved a niche for inyang-eyen are the zeal and idiosyncratic attributes which stood him out before the Governor and contributed in no little measure to the present challenging and onerous task assigned to him as commissioner for Works.
There is indeed, the need to deepen the road infrastructural coverage in the state, which the purveyors of Globalization say is a prerequisite to Foreign Direct Investments (FDI).
Thus, with Mr Inyang at the helm of the Works Ministry, it’s not in doubt that the necessary synergy between infrastructure and industrialization would be created, harnessed and strengthened. That of course makes his membership of the Governor’s Dream Team 1 inevitable.
DR GLORY EDET
Glory Edet, a doctor of philosophy degree holder, university lecturer and Commissioner for Women Affairs is one person whose membership of Governor Emmanuel’s Dream Team 1 is compelling.
Glory Edet’s dexterity in politics and depth in social mobilization underscore the charismatism of Boudicca, one of the world’s most famous women who led an army of 100,000. An indisputable asset to the administration of Governor Emmanuel, Dr Edet aptly exemplified this description during the 2015 governorship campaigns through her glamorous showings and emotionally electrifying songs.
From the decades of the 90s, gender had become an important global issue as eloquently demonstrated at the. Beijing Conference on Women of 1995 and the MDGs. Thus, the interface of the upsurge in demand for greater women involvement in politics and development processes the world over and Dr Glory Edet’s experience and depth in gender administration makes her a member of Governor Emmanuel’s Dream Team 1.
ENOBONG UWAH
Enobong Uwah, the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Housing and Urban Renewal is another another strong and viable player in Governor Emmanuel’s Dream Team 1.
A politician and youth mobilizer par excellence, Mr Uwah’s competence in political leadership and youth matters make the political tactician an asset to the Governor Emmanuel administration.
Mr Uwah’s deployment to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Renewal has been considered by Analysts as “putting a square peg in a square hole”. A Political Scientist, Dr Eno Uyoe posits that “the vigor which Enobong Uwah invested as commissioner for Environment, especially by ensuring that the City of Uyo was always clean shows he will do well in his new posting…”
Enobong Uwah is the purveyor of Green Brigade, an ad hoc team of workers who are saddled with the role of keeping the streets of uyo neat. The record of Green Brigade was impressive and that was occasioned by the commitment and honesty invested in the project.
Housing is an integral component of infrastructure, which is a cardinal aspect of Governor Emmanuel’s 5 -Agenda. This intellectual conjecture, Mr Uwah is also a key player in Governor Emmanuel’s Dream Team 1.
ENGR ETIDO INYANG
Etido Inyang, a civil Engineer, technocrat and commissioner for Special Duties is one man whose experience and grasp in the evolution, management and delivery of projects cannot be hyperbolized.
Etido Inyang’s appointment into government by former Governor Akpabio is believed to have been a result of his pathbreaking feats in the corporate world, specifically, an oil multinational. As Special Adviser on Technical Matters, Engr Inyang invested his wealth of ideas and knowledge of engineering to ensuring that projects were executed based on specifications.
The saying that a “gold fish has no hiding place” found aptness in Engineer Etido Inyang who was recently appointed by Governor Emmanuel into the Technical Committee for Ibaka Sea Port and ultimately, into the state executive council as Commissioner for Special Duties.
With Governor Emmanuel’s resolve to continue with the policy of providing strategic infrastructure boldly shown, Etido Inyang’s expertise would remain a condiment in the Governor’s Dream Team 1 is sure.
Like the Atlanta 96 Dream Team which won gold in soccer, Governor Emmanuel’s Dream Team 1 promises to deliver Akwa Ibom into Eldorado. The reason for this cannot be divorced from the team captain’s (Governor Emmanuel) background, experience, competence and garnered goodwill in a competitive space.
An added dimension to the above is the governor’s pattern of distributive leadership which is the substratum of the private sector. This system will accord some members of the team the requisite space, opportunity and incentives to deliver optimally.
Uwemedimoh Umanah, a Diplomatic Scholar, Peace & Conflict/Development/Public Affairs Expert, writes in this piece from Uyo
