Akwa Ibom as a Model of the Niger Delta of our dreams!

The federal Government must be commended for their efforts towards the alleviation of the plight of the Niger Delta people, especially with the establishment of Niger Delta Development Commission in 2000 and Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs in 2008. Today, both government arms are still vibrant, Dr Steve Oru from Delta state is the current Minister of Niger Delta Affairs while the Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission is Barrister Dan Abia from Akwa Ibom, both of them charged with the responsibility of sustainable development of the region and people.

It is no more news that families living in the Niger Delta region are breathing in methane gas and coping with frequent oil leaks causing environmental pollution, which has an adverse effect on Agriculture due to soil damage, and death of fishes due to marine pollution. All of these are probably reasons that led to militancy and oil theft by restive youths in the region, also owing some blame to politicians and business moguls who influence the bunkering.

Beyond the negative side of the region publicized in recent time and the success of the Federal Government’s Amnesty Program for militants, the organizers of Face of Niger Delta Cultural Pageant hopes to rebrand the world’s perception of the region, acknowledging though that it will not be an all rosy story, in the midst of many, the story of Niger Delta will always vary based on the view of the person, personal objectives and plans for the region. In this piece, Akwa Ibom is spotted and as a model worth emulating by other states, and by the region as a whole.

Admired because of the infrastructural development of his state and people, Akwa Ibom state’s Governor Akpabio is now popular for working wonders in Niger Delta; contrary to the restiveness the Niger Delta people are popular for, Governor Akpabio converted his annoyance of the state/region’s travail to his motivation for rapid development and uncommon transformation.

Asides the region being popular for restiveness and being relegated, the story of Akwa Ibom is similar to Niger Delta, being the highest oil producing state in Nigeria, which is why the state receives the highest allocation from the Federal Government purse. Also asides the highest earnings, the level of developments in the state is another reason for the choice of Akwa Ibom as a model to be emulated by other states, and as the state to host Face of Niger Delta Cultural Pageant in 2014.

Today, the name Akpabio has thus grown to become a brand synonymous with colossal development and zest for improvement of the basic fundamentals for human existence. While not forgetting the efforts of Obong Attah in the fight for the payment of the oil derivation to oil producing states, If Niger Delta must achieve as a people, the region needs the personality in Godswill Akpabio to attack development vigorously.

Face of Niger Delta Cultural Pageant-Uyo 2014 draws strength from Akpabio and Akwa Ibom, as a case study for other Niger Delta states. The event’s major aim is to foster Peace & Unity of the region, also in line with the development goals of NDDC to ensure a society where everyone will not have any anxiety about the basic means of life and work, where poverty and illiteracy no longer exist, where diseases are brought under control, where facilities are provided for education & skill acquisition, offering best possible opportunities for the maximization of human potentials. 

Face of Niger Delta Cultural Pageant-Uyo 2014 will affect the Akwa Ibom economy and people in more than one way;

Tourism

Imagine the harvest that will accrue to the state from the visit of all participants and guests for Face of Niger Delta Cultural Pageant 2014. Contestants & Guests are offered first class reception to discover the new Akwa Ibom, to experience uncommon transformation and savour the rich cultural heritage of Akwa Ibom people.

Some of the tourist sites to be explored include Ibeno Beach, Mary Slessor’s Tomb in Itu, Oron National Museum and Usaka Beach in Obot Akara where Gulder Ultimate Search contestants camp.

NDDC Youth Empowerment

Niger Delta Development Commission sees the Face of Niger Delta Cultural Pageant not just as a talent development platform, but also for sake of youth empowerment.

It is important to state/note that all contestants representing the states of the Niger Delta will return home a changed and impacted person after the training sessions in camp.

Business

From service providers, to partners, to sponsors and business owners in the host state, Face of Niger Delta Cultural Pageant will create a platform from business sales and networking

Politics

Under the ambience of the event, political parties and differences will be shelved; politicians and stake holders from the nine states will make peace, and unite for one cause- towards a new Nigeria.

Indeed, Akwa Ibom is a model of the Niger Delta of our dreams; hence after a tour of the nine (9) Niger Delta states, it is imperative on the government and all indigenes to make Akwa Ibom state the new capital of the Niger Delta region. 

Nelson NseAbasi is a journalist & public affairs commentator, he writes from Uyo, Akwa Ibom state