AKWA IBOM ADMIRAL EMERGES NAVAL WAR COLLEGE COMMANDANT

Bernard Ndiana

A two-star Navy general from Akwa Ibom, Rear Admiral Thaddeus Chris Udofia has assumed duties as the Commandant of the newly established Naval War College (NWC), Ubima in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.

  

This is yet another major military appointment that has come to the State since President Muhammadu Buhari assumed office two years ago.

The college, commissioned on May 31, 2017, is the highest Naval training institution in Nigeria, similar to the Air War College (AWC), Makurdi, inaugurated on November 18, 2016, and the Army War College Nigeria (AWCN), Abuja, inaugurated on Thursday, June 15, 2017.

The National Defence College (NDC), Abuja, established as the National War College in 1992, is the apex training institution for senior officers of the three services of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

  Admiral Udofia, an indigene of Ikot Onwon Ediene in Ikono Local Government Area, was named the NWC boss in a major shake-up in the Navy announced by the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, recently.

  Until his new appointment, he was the Chief Staff Officer (second-in-command) of the Western Naval Command, Apapa, Lagos, the Navy's number one operations command.

  Admiral Udofia had his professional training within and outside Nigeria.

  He holds a Master's Degree in Strategic Studies from the University of Ibadan.

  Admiral Udofia became the lone Akwa Ibom-born two-star navy general, last year, after the voluntary retirement of Rear Admiral Uduak Asuquo Essien, the erstwhile Director of Naval Operations, from Ndon Ebom in Uruan Local Government Area.

  Another two-star general from the state, Major General Enobong Okon Udoh, an indigene of Ikot Udobia in Etinan Local Government Area, is presently the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, the Rivers State Capital, a division established in November, last year.

  Both Admiral Udofia and General Udoh were promoted to their present ranks in December 2015.

  In his reaction, Major General Isidore Henry Edet, the Commander of the Nigerian Army Corps of Infantry, Jaji, Kaduna State, described the appointment of Admiral Udofia as well-deserved.

General Edet, who spoke on telephone, said he was confident that the commandant would deliver, having distinguished himself as the Director of Academic Research and Analytical Support at the NDC, Abuja.

  He explained that the Army, Naval and Air War Colleges were set up to bridge the gap between officer training at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Jaji and the NDC.

  According to him, the AFCSC gives tactical training to officers usually with the rank of Major (equivalent of Lieutenant Commander in the Navy and Squadron Leader in the Air Force) seeking promotion to Lieutenant Colonel while the war colleges give operational training to senior Lieutenant Colonels (equivalents of Commanders in the Navy and Wing Commanders in the Air Force) and some junior Colonels.

  The NDC, General Edet further explained, gives strategic training to officers with the rank of Colonel (equivalent of Captain in the Navy and Group Captain in the Air Force) seeking promotion to the rank of a one-star general, Brigadier General (equivalent of Commodore in the Navy and Air Commodore in the Air Force).Rivers State.

  Findings revealed that the NWC is temporarily located in Rivers State but would soon be moved to either Akwa Ibom State or Cross River State.

IBIBIO RECEPTION : GOV. EMMANUEL GETS ENDORSEMENT FOR CONTINUITY IN OFFICE

 The unprecedented crowd that turned out at Asan Ibibio, Ikot Oku Ikono Uyo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State to honour Governor Udom Emmanuel, his wife Martha thereby endorsing him for a second tenure has jettisoned the saying that a prophet has no respect in his hometown.

The event which was a grand reception organised by Ibibio Nation at Asan Ibibio drew personalities including governors of Abia State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, Governor of Ekiti state Ayodele Fayose, Senate Minority Leader Senator Godswill Akpabio,  former Governors of the state, top government functionaries,  Senators and Political Stalwart across party lines . 

Speaking on the occasion, Governor Emmanuel who sued for the development of the state,  told the people to eschew diversive tendencies, close ranks and work for peace and unity of the state. 

He expressed appreciation to the Ibibio Nation for the support, show of love and solidarity which he acknowledged, are evident in the unprecedented crowd that graced the reception organised for him and his wife. 

He commended the legendary vision of the founding fathers who fought for the development of Ibibio race being the fourth largest ethnic group in the country and assured the people of his determination to serve them better using his position as Governor of the State. 

The Governor noted that people clamour for positions of authority by fanning the embers of ethnicity, bitterness as well as party partisanship and particularly called on politicians to have a clear vision of rendering services to the people as they aspire to public offices. 

Governor Emmanuel expressed appreciation to the Chairman on the occasion Air Marshall Nsikak Eduok, Chairman Central Planning Committee Otuekong Idongesit Nkanga, for putting up a colourful reception saying that the occasion has confirmed his acceptability by the people across the state and  pledged his administration’s determination to take  development projects to every part of the state . 

Addressing the mammoth crowd,  Chairman on the occasion, Retired Air Marshall Nsikak Eduok,  said that  the people of Ibibio extraction have deemed it necessary to honour Governor Udom Emmanuel in view of  his impeccable track record of providing quality leadership which has translated  into provision of excellent amenities and prudent management of resources. 

Air Marshall Eduok,  unbehalf of the entire Ibibio people, congratulated  Governor Emmanuel  on his achievements and appealed to him to continue to provide quality leadership to the people of the state stressing that God has blessed  the Ibibios with rare gems and that they have contributed immensely to the development of the country.

The Elderstateman therefore used the occasion to advise the people to shun destructive tendencies but rise to the occasion of fostering oneness and contribute to the development of the state.

In their goodwill messages, Governors of Abia, Ekiti and Imo states expressed appreciation to the people for their decision to endorse Governor Udom Emmanuel for continuity in office saying that Akwa Ibom people have made a wise decision. 

The Chairman PDP Governor's Forum Mr Ayodele Fayose said that the party is big enough to acommodate every interest having establish it  root in the south south and south East region of the country.

Also, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly Hon Onofiok Luke stated the readiness of the Legislators to support Governor Emmanuel to deliver on his mandate maintaining that the second term agenda of the Governor is a done deal as far as the Legislature is concerned. 

The Senate Minority Leader,  Senator Godswill Akpabio,  described Governor Emmanuel as a bridge builder saying that Akwa Ibom people did not make mistake in 2015 when they elected Mr Udom Emmanuel as Governor of the state. 

He commended the Governor's dexterity in managing the state economy during the economic recession emphasizing that Governor Emmanuel had showed working by taking development to every part of the state  despite the recession and described him as a blessing to the State. 

At the colourful event which featured renditions by a renowned highlife musical artiste Sir Wilker Jackson and traditional display by Cultural groups, traditional rulers in Ibibio land presented gift items to the Governor .

UDOM AND MARTHA: REWARD FOR DILIGENT SERVICE

By Joe Iniodu

All set and done, the Ibibio nation, the fourth largest ethnic group in Nigeria has rolled out drums to celebrate its own in the persons of His Excellency Mr. Udom Emmanuel, executive governor of Akwa Ibom State, his dear wife and First Lady, Her Excellency, Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel.

  The reason for bestowing honour on this pair is instructive. While a scriptural precept avers that a Prophet is hardly accorded honour at home, these duo have through this honour altered that long held perception. They are being honoured because of their deeds. The Chairman of the Planning Committee of the reception, Otuekong Idongesit Nkanga; a well-heeled and experienced administrator noted that the grand reception is Ibibio Nation's support to an illustrious son who has discharged his duties meritoriously. Nkanga observed that despite challenging economic times, the governor has remained resolute in the pursuit of people-oriented governance and sustainable development of Akwa Ibom State in his 24 months in office.

  The quantum of achievements also recorded by the First Lady, Her Excellency, Mrs. Martha Emmanuel is also sufficient to gladden the heart and attract honour and plaudits. The prodigious sense of compassion that she has brought to governance has served as the vista for the myriad of succor her pet project, FEYReP has graciously delivered to many. Her disarming humility and total immersion in the alleviation of the burdens of the poorest of the poor are measurements of her humanity. Little wonder that she is not only a dependable pillar of support to the husband, she is also a good mother and an oasis of hope to Akwa Ibom people. As a jewel and pride of the people, Ibibio Nation has found her deserving of honour. 

  The decision of Ibibio Nation to honour its own is a tradition we once dearly cherished as a people. But the introduction of fratricidal and divisive politics came with the erosion of these values. Everything began to be viewed from the prism of petty politics. We have become incurably cynical and cast darts even at good things that come from the divide that we don't belong. Such disposition can only undermine the interest of the State and subject it to arrested development. We must no longer surrender to this instinctive politics as they do not only weaken our bond of unity; it also impedes our development efforts.

  Not long ago, Annang under the aegis of Ati Annang held a rousing grand reception for Governor Udom Emmanuel and his dear wife, Her Excellency, Martha Emmanuel. The colorful event which was a huge success drew the who is who in Annang and nay the entire State to celebrate a man whose special endowment, free spirit and good breeding are coalescing to take the State to enviable heights. The Annangs in that reception tended to agree that anybody who loves the State must love Udom Emmanuel.

  Ibibio Nation's grand reception also seems to key into that matrix. It is for a truth that one of the ways we can ensure the growth of our State is for us to have unbridled love for her. When we do so, its interest would always be uppermost in our mind and we will irrespective of political affiliations support what is good for the State and the people.

  It is regrettable that modernity seems to be in severe battle with our values. Our forebears conceived of an egalitarian and harmonious society that attached scant regards to tribe and tongue. The oneness that they cultivated gave us a pride of place. We were seen as the fourth largest ethnic group in the Country. We were also seen as the second largest producers of cocoa in Nigeria. We were regarded, respected and always given our due amongst the ethnic nationalities. Yet our forebears who made all these possible did not acquire much education but they cultivated much love. 

  We recall with nostalgic agony the first scholarship scheme East of the Niger and perhaps the entire Nation. It was called the Ibibio Union Scholarship scheme. Ibibio State College was sited at what was then Ikot Ekpene soil. That vision for education which witnessed the enunciation of the scholarship programme and founding of the school gave us a pride of place. The scholarship which was spread across what is today Akwa Ibom gave us the privilege of producing the first Nigerian to have a degree in agricultural science in the person of Bassey U. Attah from Ibesikpo, the father of the former governor, His Excellency, Arc. (Obong) Victor Attah. Of course we also had Effiong U. Ekpo from Abak who studied Medicine. There was James Nsima from Eket who did education; Egbert U. Udoma from Ikot Abasi who studied  law; Ibanga Udo Akpabio from Essien Udim, an uncle to the former governor, Senator Godswill Akpabio who studied education and Obot Anitaobong from Itu who also did medicine. These milestones were achieved because a cord of brotherhood quilted us together in one accord. Today all that is history because of politics.

  It is heartwarming to note that Udom and Martha are not being honoured because they are governor and First Lady respectively. They are being bestowed with honour solely on merit. The personages behind the event like Otuekong Idongesit Nkanga and Air Marshal Nsikak Eduok (rtd.) are reputable men who have held revered public offices and so would not lend themselves or names to shenanigans. They understand issues of development and they know that the governor is doing his utmost in all facets of governance. As Nkanga himself stated: “Governor Emmanuel has brought to bear his wealth of experience to keep the State's economy afloat, with bold footprints in the industrial, agricultural and other sectors. Recall that the Nation Bureau of Statistics in its 2017 reports listed Akwa Ibom as the State that has attracted the highest Foreign Direct Investment in Nigeria in 2016 after Lagos, the commercial capital of Nigeria”. This is indeed a record breaking feat for a State that was hitherto civil service driven.

  As we file out to give honour to whom honour is due, let us renew our vow to love one another in truth and in faith. Let us remind ourselves of the need to live in harmony in acknowledgment that God who put us together in the same geographical space with intelligible language did not make any mistake. Let us have faith in our leaders and offer them our sincere prayers with the understanding that if they fail, we fail and the State ultimately fails. Above all, let us strive to live in peace with one another as this remains the only guarantee to our collective prosperity.

  To the recipients of the honour, Akwa Ibom people join their voices to say congratulations, Your Excellences.

Joe Iniodu is a public affairs analyst