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A-Ibom 2023: Governorship Aspirant Blames Underdevelopment On Poor Leadership

By Harris Emanuel
Uyo- A governorship aspirant in Akwa Ibom state, Aniekan Etim, has blamed the lack of development and progress in the state on poor leadership, notwithstanding the bountiful natural and human resources in the state.

The governorship hopeful stated this while interacting with newsmen in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, regretting that the leaders have created an ever-widening gulf between themselves and the led and pledged to bridge the gap.

He said, “Akwa Ibom is our state. It’s a geo-political entity South-East corner of Nigeria. Without doubt, it has scored many firsts in Nigeria and globally,and is naturally blessed with human and natural resources whose potentials are unquantifiable, but beg for proper harnessing.

“Nigeria, Africa and indeed the world need Akwa Ibom and depend on us to the stable, to grow and sustain the development. The sad story is that presently in spite of our potentials, we are yet to realize our enviable capacities owing to questionable and misplaced leadership.

“All known civilizations have had quality synergy between a visionary leadership and an enthusiastically cooperating followership. Very regrettably, our have been cases of ‘we-against- them’ because leadership have created an ever-widening gulf between themselves and the led. The challenge of narrowing the gulf for the common good only declares expediency for the right fulfilment.”

He decried lack of foresight and commitment in serving the people, a development he noted has taken a negative toll on the people and their development.

In his words: “Emerging trends point to the fact that the global economy is increasingly becoming knowledge-based. In no distant time knowledge will be the fulcrum. The question then arise: what has become our schools in qualitative and quantitative terms?

“The way to ensure that it is about the people is to involve the people and the key to involving the people is to invest resources on the people to together evolve a generally shared dream.”

The Governorship aspirant, however, listed his areas of interest to include life and healthcare, vocational training and education, services and infrastructure and food and agriculture. Other include shelter and Housing, Safety and Security, transportation and information and orientation.

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