The epsitles of Nsima Ekere

The epsitles of Nsima Ekere

EPISTLES are the apostolic letters of The Bible. The New Testament has twenty-one epistles with Saint Paul credited as the author of 14 of them, making him the single most important influence and exponent of the Christian faith after Jesus Christ.

The Pauline epistles involves the ministry of Paul, following his turning-point experience on the Road to Damascus, to his First, Second and Third Missionary Journeys. Paul who is unarguably one of the greatest Christians that has ever lived, had profound messages for the Church, which have today become the firm foundations of Christianity.

For Akwa Ibom, and especially as we march steadily towards the defining moments of the 2014 Governorship Primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, one leading aspirant stands out from the pack, as a man with a message for Akwa Ibom people.
Patrick Ekpotu, Umana O. Umana, Nsima Ekere and Governor Akpabio

Patrick Ekpotu, Umana O. Umana, Nsima Ekere and Governor Akpabio

Obong Nsima Ekere, a one-time Deputy Governor of the State, who has stepped forward, in what will be his ‘third Missionary Journey’ to help salvage Akwa Ibom, at the top level of governorship of the State, has yet again offered to serve in leading the people to their eldorado.

The first time, he ran for office of governor in December 2006 and came fourth in the primaries hotly contested by 58 aspirants. In 2011,  he came on board as the deputy governor to Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio, CON. This third time out, he seeks to consolidate and build upon the successful template put in place by Governor Akpabio through the Uncommon Transformation Agenda.

Obong Ekere is not doing this in a vacuum. While other contenders are employing proxies and fronts to smear fellow aspirants and mount vicious campaigns of blackmail against other opponents, Ekere has focused on running an issue- based campaign and as a result, is connecting with the people by highlighting the vision, mission and work plan he has for the Akwa Ibom of our dream.

Nsima Ekere’s brand and its populist orientation quickly received the crucial backing of the Akwa Progressive Commercial Tricyclists, Taxi and  Motorcyclists Association, (APCOTMA), the umbrella union of tricycle and motorcycle operators in the state.

The endorsement came, when Ekere, became the first governorship hopeful to consider this usually neglected and trampled section of the society, worthy of being consulted and their input sought for the continued good governance of the State. Ekere made it a priority to reach out to   the state executive council members and chapter chairmen of the association as well as their wives at their secretariat in Uyo.

Addressing them, the former deputy governor, who was visibly overwhelmed by their show of support, promised to institute a N2 billion revolving loan for members of the association within six months of his assumption of office as governor.

He explained that the loan would assist those tricycle operators that intend to graduate to taxi operators and those willing to go into other businesses, adding that the whole idea was to  sustainably empower them in line with his people’s development agenda.

Ekere disclosed that his government would flood Uyo, the state capital, with taxi cabs but assured that all registered tricycle operators  would benefit from his taxi scheme gradually.

He said he decided to consult and partner with APCOTMA given the strategic role of tricycle operators in the economy of the state, particularly the fact that they controlled the   transportation system.

Ekere recalled the ban placed on motorcycles in the state capital, three years ago, by the State Government, pointing out that it was successful because of the maturity of APCOTMA leadership. He emphasized that the major priority of his administration would be the industrialization of the state to build on the infrastructural base already put in place by Governor Akpabio.

As a believer in the grassroots, Ekere has continued to deliver what commentators, public affairs analysts, community leaders and opinion moulders as well as political stakeholders have reached consensus on as being well-thought out messages of hope to the good people of Akwa Ibom State.

The messages which are everywhere, on giant bill boards, fliers, newspapers, online platforms and social media correctly anticipate and address the collective hopes and aspirations of the people.

It covers all classes and sectors of our socio-economic life and this is the politics that our nation sorely lacks, but eagerly yearns for.
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