By Uwem Umanah
The concept of statesmanship is one of the most frequently used but flagrantly abused in Africa’s political lexicon. While some people see every politician as a statesman, a few others particularly the political revisionists conclude that every demagogue is a statesman. For our purpose which is purely historical, I would attempt to simplistically define the terminology.
“A statesman is one who as a result of learned experience is versed in the principles or art of government, especially, one actively engaged in conducting the business of a government or in shaping its policies.”
A possible extrapolation of the above shows that for one to be qualified as a statesman, he must possess certain qualities such as: truthfulness, calm, honesty, humility, dynamism, competence, and above all, loyalty.
Emmanuel Moses Enoidem( aka udo nko), a master political strategist and the Akwa Ibom state commissioner for Housing and Urban Renewal is a personification of the above qualities whose impeccable track record in political leadership set him on the pedestal of a 21st century political gem.
Born on July 27, 1964 into the family of late Chief Moses Enoidem, little Emmanuel grew up with irresistible passion for success in every endeavour he found himself. Little surprising therefore that his tender age, and stereotypical traditions which typified african societies could not impair his desire to succeed in life. Emmanuel Moses Enoidem had his secondary education at the Northern Annang Secondary School, Utu Etim Ekpo where he left indelible academic and social footprints. Udeme Umoh, a clergy who has known Emmanuel Enoidem at NASCO, having been his senior had this to say of the personage:
“He has always been a very determined person who would go all out to get what he believes in… At NASCO, though I was very far his senior, I remember he hated oppression and stratification…”
Could this attribute have contributed to Enoidem’s choice of career in the university? It is history that Emmanuel Enoidem graduated with an LLB in Law from the Rivers State University of Science and Technology. His ideological belief in the equality of all men and his pragmatic approach to life prism on the “protestant work ethic” had futuristically shaped his personality. This idiosyncratic integral has made Enoidem an enigma, perhaps one of the most misunderstood political leader of this generation. Those, particularly the older generation who were determined to perpetuate the status quo and deepen the process of primitive accumulation conceive of Emmanuel Enoidem as ” a rebel, and impertinent young man who has no respect for elders”. But history has debased that line of indoctrination: Enoidem is an embodiment of a paradigm shift, of a generational revival, and an epitome of statesmanship.
Barr Emmanuel Enoidem cut his political teeth when he became the chairman of Etim Ekpo Local Government Area and proceeded to the state level as State Treasurer of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party. Needless to reiterate the indelible footprints of his stewardship, but it is apposite to adumbrate that Barr Enoidem used these offices for the common good of the society particularly the youth who see him as “a symbol of their liberation”. In this regard, it begs to mention in the passing, that Barr Emmanuel Enoidem has empowered more youths than any other political leader, living or dead in the former Abak division of Akwa Ibom State in line with the development agenda of the state governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio.
Enoidem, intrinsically, believes that the interest of the state and nation are paramount, superseding every personal consideration. That, perhaps accounts for his zeal, penchant and passion for success in public life. Needless to reiterate the obvious that Barr Enoidem had brought this personality trait to bear during the politics that led to the emergence of Dr Godswill Obot Akpabio as Governor in 2007. Instead of supporting his boss and former Governor, Obong Victor Attah, he made a paradigm shift in favour of the collective interest of the state as against personal aggrandizement which typifies the character, context and texture of political behaviourism in Africa. Enoidem also demonstrated statesmanship during his senatorial bid when he voluntarily succumbed to the voice of reasoning in the interest of equity and fair play.
Statesmanship also entails the capacity to invest in political will for the purpose of engendering positive change in the society. That definition finds better expression in the politics and process of the relocation of Uyo main market which was considered an urban blight to Akpan Andem Entrepreneurial Village, a more conducive and aesthetic- compliant infrastructure.
The relocation was also aimed at halting the menace of dysfunctional social dislocation. Put differently, in a modern society that is heading towards becoming a destination and economic super power within the urban renewal strategy should be geared towards the provision of top of the line infrastructure, which the old Uyo market could not provide, hence the need for its relocation.
It is historic that Enoidem, during the relocation of Uyo market surmounted challenges ranging from those of traditional myth to the threat of juju /charms which some of the traders concocted in order to sway him from the relocation exercise, but with enormous political will, it was a mission accomplished. The whole state stood agog as the seemingly impossible was made possible. When asked by journalists the methodology he adopted to achieve the relocation, Barr Enoidem enthused: “I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me…” Statesmanship encompasses the capacity to be humble in the discharge of the affairs of the state. This quality has typified Enoidem’s public life.
Little wonder therefore, that the Akwa. Ibom State Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio having realised the pertinence sound human resource required to bring maximum effect upon the states’ urban renewal process, went for the best brains to provide the needed leverage for the state to actualise its goal, hence the appointment of Emmanuel Enoidem, a seasoned lawyer, technocrat, and statesman with an impeccable track record as Commissioner for the newly created Ministry of Housing and Urban Renewal.
Enoidem has justified the basis of his stewardship in the ministry through the realisation of certain epochal landmarks in the Housing and Urban Renewal sector of the state, in line with the philosophy of Governor Akpabio.
The first litmus test for the great statesman was the construction of a state-of-the art Governor’s lodge with all the modern facilities. Apart from being a major leap in urban renewal, the new lodge which was completed in less than 18 months has added to the ambience and beauty of the state capital. Also, the new and most imposing banquet hall in Nigeria has given the city centre the ambience that it truly deserves.
In line with the State Housing Policy whose implementation Enoidem holds the ace, the Akwa Ibom State Government envision the construction of at least 10,000 housing units through direct intervention and PPP. Presently, about 2000 units of low and medium income houses have been built across the 3 senatorial districts of the state. This has reinforced the Millennium Development Goals of shelter for all by 2015.
Barr Enoidem has made remodeling and beautification a hallmark of the Akwa Ibom State urban renewal programme as amply demonstrated in projects handled by his Ministry. Remodeling in Akwa Ibom State has resulted in the building and replacement of old roundabouts in major city like the Itam Junction, Ikot Ekpene Road by University of Uyo Town Campus, Nwaniba Road by Edet Akpan Avenue and major flood control in the city areas such as Uruan Street and the pipe jacking drainage system around the concentric flyovers.
The ancient city of Ikot Ekpene has also received an impetuous boost in respect of remodeling with the building of a new roundabout and shopping malls with superlative landscape. Interestingly, the state government is building a 3-star hotel in Ikot Ekpene in order to give the city a development character. Barrister Enoidem further captures the essence of the remodeling in the following words, “remodeling of Ikot Ekpene is also aimed at giving the historic city its pride of place, being the first experimental local government in British West Africa.”
The relocation of the Ikot Ekpene Prisons and the construction of a new one with standard rehabilitation and recreational facilities has given the city the facelift that befits its status. The prevailing raffia industry in Ikot Ekpene underscores the importance of the city to global tourism.
In the same vein, the refurbished Deputy Governor’s Lodge in Uyo, several new Guests Houses which serve as lodge for VIPs visiting the state and the newly created parking lots and gardens within these neighbourhoods by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Renewal has added to the re-branding of the government house, the seat of power.
Interestingly, government efforts at urban remodeling are geared towards changing the structural pattern of public buildings to reflect the Governor’s vision for the state. Thus, high-rise and skyscrapers are emerging at an increasing rate. The 14-storey, 250- room Tropicana Hotel on Udo Udoma Avenue would be the tallest building in the South-South/South-East geo-political zones of Nigeria and one of the 50 tallest buildings in Nigeria.
This is a sharp departure from the past, when the order of the day was erecting mushroom structures that negate the realities of our current state of development. The recently commissioned e-library complex and the Stock Exchange building are superlative edifices that tell the story of an emerging destination. This, certainly, have redirected the psyche of the private sector with individuals and private organizations now planting imposing structures in the cityscape.
The government is also proactive in the management of the current trend of urbanisation through the provision of social infrastructure such as the modern timber market, motor parks and concentric fly-overs. These infrastructures have reduced city congestion, uncoordinated traffic while restoring a tranquil social order in the urban centres.
These breathtaking moves could be summarized in the words of the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Renewal himself: “we want to leave behind a legacy that would survive beyond a thousand years”.
Today, sustainable housing urban renewal policies are no longer a charitable option, but the only sensible way forward as statesmanship remains a cutting edge ingredient for the actualisation of functional change in every society. As Barrister Emmanuel Enoidem clocks 48, it suffices to celebrate him for bringing dynamism and statesmanship to bear in discharging his functions in the Akwa Ibom.
Mr Umanah, a development Historian writes from Uyo,Akwa Ibom State