GOVERNOR UDOM, DAKKADA - by Enenim Ubon

Since the return of democracy to Nigeria in 1999, Akwa Ibom state has been among the very few states lucky enough to have governors that can be said to have performed to an above average level. From Architect(Obong) Victor Bassey Attah(1999 - 2007) to Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, these men had visible projects across the state as early as one year in office. Those who lived in Akwa-Ibom before 1999 will acknowledge the effort of Obong Attah in ensuring Uyo was upgraded to the status of a state capital. The major problem of the Attah administration, was his inability to communicate his vision to his subordinates and ensure they all fall in-line - this was responsible for his inability to complete several landmark projects like the Ibom Science Park.  Senator Akpabio, with the many issues and baggages his tenure came with/amassed, was able to define the focus of his administration(infrastructural ‎development) within his first 100 days in office. Not only did his administration come up with the “Akwa Ibom Ado Ok” slogan, he worked towards ensuring Akwa Ibom became 'Ok'. Was the entire Akwa Ibom 'Ok' before he left office? NO. Did he complete all his projects? NO (- the most annoying being the Ibom Tropicana); but at least it was clear for all to see that he had a direction. The major problem Senator Akpabio left for Akwa-Ibomites is introducing them to someone who wasn't really sure he was ready to roll up his sleeves and work for the Akwa Ibom people(agreed that the choices at the elections were limited but at least at the primaries other options were available). 

Deacon Udom Gabriel Emmanuel has been governor of Akwa Ibom state for about sixteen months, his achievements in office in this period are infinitesimal. Aside bringing in his Lagos crew to shoot videos for his 'Dakkada' pledge and endless ground breaking ceremonies, there is absolutely nothing on ground to show the government of Akwa Ibom is ready to achieve anything by 2019. The Udom led administration is gradually taking away the enviable place of Akwa Ibom among states which are always lucky to have 'performing' governors since 1999. So embarassing is the state of things in Akwa Ibom that one is tempted to believe the governor has absolutely no idea of what to do. 

‎One of the 'achievements' of the Udom administration in 100 days in office is the commissioning of the secretariat annex, that was at 90% completion level even before Obong Attah left office, a project a civil servant(with how rich many in the state have become) can conveniently complete; the story of the hatchery is better left for another day. In line with his tradition of ground breaking ceremonies, he organized a street party at ikot-ekan Etinan LGA telling the whole world that peacock paint has been revitalized. Over six months after, the paint has not been sighted in any market anywhere in the world. Over seven months after performing a ground breaking ceremony for shoprite at the Tropicana, not a single block has been laid(why a government's priority should be giving free space to a private entreprise to come to a state and put other entrepreneurs out of business, only the government can explain). All the industries for which ground breaking ceremonies have been done by Udom, work is yet to begin. Even the erosion control site in ITU LGA has been abandoned since after the governors visit. Almost a year after the government sent youths to learn mechanized farming in Isreal, nothing again has been heard of the scheme - was it a flash in the pan? Only the governor and his numerous idle, incompetent and confused media aides can answer that. 

The Akwa Ibom Enterprise and Employment Scheme(AKEES) has been a huge disappointment, suffice to say, it has been of no use to those we were told will be it's target beneficiaries. The Udom government claims to have trained over 300 youths in film production, it will help the credibility of the government to release the identities of those so trained. The upsurge of criminal activities in the state is appalling. Uyo has moved from a city where one could confidently walk around by 1am, to one where people are kidnapped when they board keke, taken to unknown destinations and robbed. So bad is the situation that some victims are even taken from these hideouts to ATMs within the city to make withdrawals. In the midst of all these, whoever advised the governor to sack over 3000 teachers recruited while he was SSG under the flimsy excuse that unqualified people got the job, is his enemy; maybe the governor and his team have never ‎of the terms verification nor revalidation.

As the governor makes plans to reconstitute his cabinet, he should make sure he brings on board people who are ready to work and motivate him to deliver on his campaign promises. He should urge his 'powerful' commissioner of works(who is still working in same capacity from home) to not only flaunt his closeness to the governor by trying to intimidate other cabinent members ‎and government functionaries but also sit up and deliver the goods. 

In 2019, being a 'technocrat' will not be enough to win an election. With what INEC under the change government has become, it is only an individual whose work will speak for him, that the Akwa Ibom people can vote for and defend their mandate. ‎Neither Lagos, Abuja nor London fronts will be enough to save anybody. With 2 years and 6 months left, it is not too late for Governor Udom Emmanuel to Dakkada and do the needful. 

Enenim Ubon tweets from @EnenimUbon

366 DAYS OF NOTHINGNESS. - Enenim Ubon

“The party in power, like Jonah's gourd, grew up quickly, and will quickly fall”. - Davy Crockett

When Udoka married his fourth wife(Essien-awan), he felt he had arrived at heavens gate. So happy was he that unlike others before her, he never bothered to ask nor find out about the necessary things, not even those glaring flaws mattered to him. The wedding IV had 'better option' boldly written on it, to announce to the world that Udoka had found love. Just six months into the marriage, Udoka realised why other men had hitherto avoided marrying Essien-awan like as plaque but it was too late....

Like Udoka, Nigerians have in one year realised the sweet promises made by president Buhari during the presidential campaigns were nothing but outright deceit. So naive were those who saw president Buhari as an epitome of change, that they all found a way to believe outrageous things like “using the army to stabilize the economy” and that “one naire could equal one dollar” in four years. Things that ordinarily should elicit laughter were defended by palmwine intellectuals; alas the messiah got the job and the demystification began rightaway. In 366 days(25% of a four year tenure) the Buhari administration cannot point to ONE thing it has achieved. The funniest part is how the government effortlessly makes its online team of media volunteers look like clowns. These group of individuals spend hours/days defending things as ordered by Aso rock, only for the official spokesmen to later debunk the same news. Until recently, I never knew rice cooked in Abuja could have intoxicating effect! 

If the Buhari led administration has not only achieved NOTHING in these 366 days, it would be consoling but they have taken Nigeria backward by over 20 years. How else can one explain the fact that rice which in the last five years could easily be afforded by any class of Nigerian has become unaffordable; the days when families took rice to be a special meal for Sunday afternoons are here again. 

Data from the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics show that in only 5 months of the year 2016, over a million Nigerians have become unemployed. This on its own would have been pushed under the shelve if this government did not deceive Nigerians with the promise of creating 3 million jobs within its first year in office. Now if close to the same number of people have lost their jobs within this period, the question then is, if/when the government eventually begins it's job creation, will they start with those who've recently lost their jobs or those who were never employed? To add insult to injury, minister who's son is a house of Assembly member, paid with tax payers money suggested people should start dressing masqurades to earn a living,1000 persons per masqurade; that is the mindset of  ‎a minister in a 21 century nation. As a matter of fact, it is impossible for one to believe most of the ministers have an idea of the millinieum they live in; how do you explain a minister saying we should import grasses from Brazil and another projecting that Nigeria will be producing pencil by 2018. Pathetic indeed. 

As for the economy, there's no denying the fact that it's been on a steady decline all year. For the first time since 2004 GDP fell to -0.34%. Defenders of the president are quick to say the economy was only being 'patched' by the last administration, as silly as this sounds, the government of the day should ask the previous government what kind of abbressive ‎it used to keep the economy in place. An administration where the finance minister, CBN governor and vice president push different economic policy stands, just does not have a direction. While the divisive CBN governor held sway at Nigeria's apex bank, inspite of his antagonism towards his boss, at least on economic matters he and the finance minister were always in sync; not the 'madhouse' we see today. I suppose, the army can do a better job towards stabilizing the economy, why the president isn't using them as promised I know not! 

During the campaigns stories were told of how prudent the president is, that he cannot wait to start slashing government expenditure. A look at the presidency's ‎budget shows an 18 billion Naira increase from that of 2015. The president has not missed any opportunity to go abroad, no matter how irrelevant the reason - how these uncountable trips result in cutting expenses, I know not. President Buhari still maintains 11 private jets, the very same ones his handlers said he would sell off on his first day at work. The president has budgeted 3.9 billion to renovate the same Aso rock that was renovated before he moved in; who knows maybe a part had collapsed without Nigerians knowing. The president we were told is so poor that declaring his assests publicly will not be an issue, the macabre dance that has accompanied his public assest declaration is a story for another day. The president now so enjoys affluence that implementing the Oransanye report is a no go area. 

General Buhari both as a candidate and president has made comments that leave one in awe. Starting with his claim that subsidy does not exist, only for him to now claim he cannot pay subsidy anymore, to referring to some Nigerians as 5% and has tried in all his actions to undermine that section of the country, to his declaration that oil exploration in Nigeria started after the civil war, to his declaration the muderers known as fulani herdsmen are not Nigerians[one wonders if the president is Awre that he openly admitted his failure to protect his territory from intruders.]‎, to his silence over the killings perpertreted by these foreigners “who will have nowhere to go if chased from the south”. Each time the president speaks, one wonders which new ridiclue the nation will face. 

The Buhari administration in just one year has shown utter disregard for the rule of law. From something as simple as appointing an MD of NDDC in line with sections 3 and 12 of the NDDC act, to gross abuse of rights of individuals. People being held in contempt of courts, individuals who in most cases willingly honoured the invitations of government agencies. The president has become a law to himself. He decides who he will set free and when, yet still expects people to honour invitations from security agencies. (One wonders how brutal the president will get in an election year). ‎To the president judges know nothing and should do as he wants but he went to court to stop the NLC from embarking on strike. Hypocrisy at the highest level of a nation's government. 

Since May 29 2015, the Buhari led government has done nothing to improve the security situation in the country. From 'Libyan' fulani herdsmen, to kidnapping, pipeline vandalism and armed robbery has increased all over the country. The president boast that as a military man, 'all criminals will bow to him' has come to nought. 

Meanwhile, it is evident the president's comment on 97% and 5% was not mere rhetoric. From appointments and possibly contracts award, the president has not hidden how tribalism. His recent appointments of heads of paramilitary agencies, leaves no one in doubt that the 'north has taken over'. 

Six months after the 'wedding of the town', Udoka found out why Essien-awan had three previously broken engagements. His life became a nightmare, the heir he hoped she would bring was nowhere to be found. Despite all he was going through, he never ceased to defend his wife(even when she starved him of the needful). Why wouldn't he, when she had placed him safely in a clear bottle inside Inyang-ekpri-ndito‎. 

Sadly Udoka like Nigerians thought h‎e had found a better option. 

Happy Democracy Day Nigeria. 

Enenim Ubon tweets from @EnenimUbon

One country, One law, Different applications – Enenim Ubon

As Nigerians continue to mourn over the never ending fuel scarcity made worse by ‎the seeming insensitivity of the president/minister of petroleum and the endless empty reassurances of his minister of state, we may tend to lose sight of the other happenings that will in no small measure further disintegrate an already divided nation.


A coupl‎e of weeks ago, the governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai,  came up with a religious bill, obviously targeting Christians in his state. The thing about the man now known as ‘Herod of Kaduna’ is his arrogance which prevents him from seeing the obvious flaws in his arguments.
The man has come to believe he alone has the monopoly of understanding issues, (I believe his condition is worsened by the legion of blind mice all around him – whose god is their rice filled bellies. If common sense has left the ‘Herod of Kaduna’, is he not aware that the Nigerian constitution in section 38(sub section 1) guarantees freedom to ‘‘manifest and propagate religion or belief in worship, teaching, practice and observance?’’
That the president, whom governor El-rufai claims forced him to contest has not been able to call his ‘boy’ to order, one is tempted to believe there’s a deliberate attempt to ensure the constitution is only operational in certain parts of the country, while other parts operate their own laws.


A couple of days ago, stories of how Hisbah Police in Kano went about destroying properties of tax-paying ‎Nigerians from other parts of the country, in the name of religious policing were reported.
At a time when Fulani herdsmen are going round, destroying farmlands and killing the owners in other parts of the country, one wonders why the Kano State government cannot protect the lives and properties of law abiding citizens carrying out their legitimate businesses and contributing to the internally generated revenue of the state.
I am yet to hear that the Kano State governor or any of his officials has apologized to the victims of religious fanaticism. Section 41 of the Nigerian constitution in the understanding of the Kano State governor, probably means nothing. I am trying to imagine what would have happened if a southern state had carried out such level of destruction on the properties of northern visitors!
In essence, section 41 of the Nigerian constitution applies only to those in the south, while the north under the guise of religion can act as they like, contravening the same constitution.


In an article ‎I wrote in 2014 ‘Regional Autonomy and Resource Control, The Way Forward For Nigeria’, I stated my believe in ownership and control of resources by various states while paying taxes to the centre as should be obtained in a federalism; but section 44(sub section 3) prevents states from harnessing their natural resources.
As a matter of fact, the emphasis on ‘mineral oils and natural gas’ in this section,  gives the impression that the writers of the constitution clearly had the Niger-Delta region in mind. Any activity regarding oil in the Niger-Delta is seen as criminal, so far the federal government is not involved; but we have heard a state governor defend the illegal mining in his state, attributing it to hunger and poverty.


Governor El-Rufai recently proclaimed that Kaduna State has more gold deposit than South-Africa(a news which gladdens my heart, at last Kaduna will be able to bring something to the sharing table). The confusing aspect of his statement was that Kaduna has gone ahead to invite an international mining firms that will be responsible for mining its gold deposits and is already assembling people that will be trained in that field. This will be done in ‘conjunction’ with the federal government!

NB: The federal government OWNS the oil in the Niger-Delta and only gives the states a paltry 13% oil derivation revenue, but Kaduna’s gold will be OWNED and controlled by the state government ‘in conjunction’ with the federal government.


Clearly in Kaduna and other northern states, where illegal minning activities are currently going on, section 44 of the constitution does not apply. What a country!
The new version of the PIB seeks to deprive host communities from getting any share from the resources their lands generate and for the devastation their communities face, while people in ‘agbadas’ and ‘babanrigas’ own the oil wells. The earlier the Niger-Delta legislators and governors wake up to the fact that they have a people to protect, the better it will be for the region and its future generations.


In Nigeria, it is a survival of the fittest and ONLY the strong and smart will survive! There is no equality here and not even the travelling president of this travailing nation can change that.



Connect with Enenim Ubon on twitter @EnenimUbon

THE UNCERTAINTY OF LOVE. - Enenim Ubon

I woke up yesterday morning to Wayne Wonder's 'No Letting Go'(having dozed off with my earpiece on. Adele's 'Don't You Remember' being the last song I remember listening to); the lyrics of the song began to make more meaning when I received an SMS from a business owner about valentine sales . I wondered how many guys who have bought gifts for 'their' ladies ‎can really sing the chorus of the song(No Letting Go) to their partners(or to themselves) knowing they mean it in their heart of hearts. In this season of “your boos having a boo”, I am almost certain that not up to 60% of guys who will profess love to ladies today can. Giving gifts these days and spending money on women has become a matter of “i can afford to spoil you, do not think you mean anything to me. Enjoy my money till you are phased out” - after all according to Harrysong and Duncan Mighty “Akagum is a sin”. 

The next song on my play- list was‎ Wyclef Jean and Mary J Blige's 911. I wondered how many ladies who after receiving a treat today can really sing the lyrics of the song(Mary J's verse) to 'their' boo and mean it in their heart of hearts; that is if the boo of the day/night is truly the boo and not just one of the ones being deceived for whatever reason. 

I once was told that “Love is a symbol of Eternity”‎, then I believed 100%, now I believe 40%. I sometimes wonder if it is ever possible to truly love anyone at all, let alone our love lasting till eternity. If we can, why then would we love someone today with 'all' our heart - as if our lives depend on them and tomorrow just can't bear the thought of waking up next to them. 

“It[Love] is not rude, it is no SELF-SEEKING, it is not easily angered, it keeps NO RECORD of wrongs...” - 1 Corinthians 13:15. If the above is the embodiment of love, why then do we see couple recording wrongs done by/to one another? ‎Why do we hear so many unecessary stories from a once roburst relationship - as if both parties were writting down each others wrongs on note books while the relationship lasted? Or is it a case of “we cannot love, if we cannot hate”? 

If it were possible to love someone till eternity, why would I hear the girl next door talking to her friend about being in love with two men and . How can we love two people, if we ever did love one? Is it not a case of trying to gain everything available and give little or nothing in return? 

If it were ever possible to love one person till eternity, why would you cheat on someone(repeatedly with various people) and (when caught) yet still claim to be in love with the one you are cheating on? How can we reconcile this with the love we are told “does not delight in evil..., and NEVER fails...”. Or is the 'book of love' as Peter Gabriel puts it “too long and boring” that one can't remain at a spot for too long? 

Maybe what we have come to know as love - all around us is nothing but mere infatuation. I am almost reaching the conclusion that one can be infatuated for as long as ten years and wake up one morning to say “we are no longer compatible” ‎ - leaving his/her partner hanging in the clouds. Is it that we all have 'poisons' that prevent us from being loved for too long? 

Proverbs 5:19 aptly captures the Modus Operandi of a love that would last till eternity, “a lovely deer, a graceful doe. Let her breast fill you at all time with delight; be intoxicated always in her love”. - while the man ought to be intoxicated with just one persons breasts, the woman is meant to satisfy just one person(for a lifetime). That is the template, a love that will last for eternity should follow. 

As we witness another Valentine day that will be filled with empty promises and insincerity, try to be the grace on someone's life but if you are going to let anyone down today, follow Adele's suggestion (in 'under the bridge'), let down gently - especially if you brought them to their knees! 

If love(that can last till eternity) does exist,I hope you find it out there in measures that will gladden your heart(and not shoot it down with your 'poison') ‎and not throw you under the bridge of eternal despair. 

Happy Valentines Day. 

Enenim Ubon tweets from @EnenimUbon

IN NIGERIA, IT IS AN OLD NEW YEAR! - Enenim Ubon

“‎May your road be rough! I am not cursing you;‎.‎..”.

The above line from a poem written by the late Tai Solarin has become ideal for such a time as this.
With the 2015 Christmas being the worst Nigerians have experienced in the recent past and an unrealistic 2016 budget, it is pertinent for every 'realistic' person to prepare for the worst this year. 
I am certain, your pastors, bishops, imams, prophets, spiritualists will not agree with me and may have told you this year will be the best you have ever witnessed; they may be right, after-all during a period of famine Isaac sowed and reaped bountifully. Elijah had divine supplies in a time of drought, but you see those two persons were one in each generation of millions of people, how the others survived/died is a story for another day.

With a 2016 budget predicated on an oil benchmark that was even lower as at the day of the budget presentation, one waits to see how the Buhari led government intends to raise funds to service the outrageous budget(even the minister of budget and national planning does not know how that will happen). As if the situation is not bad enough a breakdown of the budget shows that President Buhari either doesn't understand the times we are in or is deliberately out to further impoverish  Nigerians in 2016. Why will the presidency in good conscience budget 1.7 billion for JUST food, in a year we are supposed to cut cost of governance? How we moved from 35 naira milo to this point, is what I am yet to understand. If the 2015 food budget for aso rock, could adequately cater for TWO administrations, why the increase at this time? 

The continuous free fall of the naira will have a multiplier effect on everybody. Even the prices of hitherto cheap clothing at the 'bend down' boutique and evening markets will skyrocket. How about Nigerians abroad who by now may have been driven out of their schools,homes due to their inability to access foreign currencies from THEIR accounts to pay bills(i am also aware that it has become impossible to open domiciliary accounts anymore) - an action by the Buhari government which has shown that it is not only out to deal with Nigerians resident in Nigeria but will also stop at nothing to also ensure those abroad feel the heat! The president in his media chat made it clear, he doesn't even know when their sufferings will end.

For a country whose major source of revenue has nosedived, one would expect the president to make serious moves towards diversifying the economy but alas we see the budget of lying lai's ministry of information surpassing that of the ministry of mines and solid minerals(which is of greater good to all the states of the federation - since non is lacking in solid minerals), the direction the government will take with regards to propaganda, outright lies and deceit is obvious. I am consoled by the fact that, eventually as the hunger and misrule progresses, no amount of propaganda nor lies will make it go away.

With a projected oil price slump to $20, one would have expected the president to sell off some of his luxury jets(as promised) to fund certain important aspects of the economy(but from the 2016 budget proposal, he intends to travel all around the world more frequently and may likely be needing new jets) like the education sector, on the contrary the budget for this important sector has even be reduced compared to that of 2015. How the government intends to meet the agitation of SSANU, ASUU and other unions who are already mobilising for a strike actions due to the government's inability to fulfil previous agreements the 2016 allocation WILL also not meet is what I wait to see. 

If in its first seven months in office(that a reasonable government should be seen to be a rallying point) ours has shown flagrant disregard for the rule of law. Courts orders are disobeyed, bails granted to persons, which the federal government controlled security agencies have refused to let go, killing of unarmed citizens who have dared to protest against injustice, killing of those who were sleeping in their houses and even the killing of those who celebrated the 'temporary' triumph of the rule of law via the courts. If all these could happen in just seven months. 2016 will usher in a more brazen attempt to stifle opposition voices and 'cut to size' those who will attempt to challenge the chosen one from Daura's authority. The president has made it clear(in his media chat) that the law is secondary to his emotions, who ever he thinks is guilty will remain guilty no matter what the law says. 

As for the subsidy issue, it was obvious from the media chat that President Buhari doesn't understand what subsidy is and therefore cannot get a grasp of how it works - wait for its special edition of drama this year, with the trade unions ready for a showdown.

In all the hardship Nigerians will face, we will have to cope with a president who does not give a damn, is detached from the pulse of the nation, one who finds it difficult to address issues pertaining to his country (while in the country) and whenever he decides to, speaks in his dialect - the new official language in Abuja, the rest of us who do not understand the dialect can go and jump from second Niger bridge which by the way has become so irrelevant that it has not been budgeted for this year. We will also be faced with a team of conscienceless presidential volunteers who will perpetually insult our sensibilities on social/traditional media on how we should be thankful to the present administration for owing federal workers december salaries and ensuring many could not enjoy the festivities with their families, for the 50kobo reduction in PMS price. These ones will tell us the war on terrorism had been won since May 29 2015 and that the gunshots,suicide bombings in the north-east are only rehearsals for a movie scene. They will fool many who will allow themselves to be fooled, but history has always shown that the triumph of evil over good is temporal.

“May your way be rough; I'm not cursing you” but praying you sail through a difficult year and triumph at the end. HAPPY NEW YEAR.



Enenim Ubon is on twitter @EnenimUbon.