Right from the inception of Governor Udom led-administration, agriculture has received varying degrees of attention. In line with his industrialisation agenda and the results so far recorded within two years in office as the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, no one will be wrong to say that Governor Udom Emmanuel is a futuristics leader who is not just concerned about today but the future generation. In Akwa Ibom, a breeze of fresh air seems to be blowing from a state deep down south.
Before the Federal Government of Nigeria declared agriculture as 'purely business,' this state had dubbed it 'top priority.'
It is a thing of joy that Akwa Ibom State is now a reference point in terms of Agriculture courtesy of the current administration. His (AKEES) initiative has within a short period of time provided massive employment for our teeming youths and food sufficiency.
As part of the assessment speech, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Technical Matters and Due Process, Elder Ufot Ebong said "His Excellency, Governor Udom Emmanuel has come to reawaken the spirit of enterprise; bringing out the entrepreneurship spirit of an Akwa Ibom person through the Dakkada Creed. He clearly told us that we are born great and must be great.
Through his policies on agriculture, skill acquisition and job creation, we have a story spotted without being told. He has shocked critiques with his performance just two years in office"
Without any atom of psycophancy, It is visible to the eyes and audible to the ears that Mr. Udom Emmanuel has inaugurated a Technical Committee on Agriculture and Food Sufficiency; provided free fertilizers, oil palm and cocoa seedlings and the 450 hectares of cassava plantation in 15 Local Government Areas.
The Establishment of 22 hectares of improved cocoa plantation in six Local Government Areas - Ini, Essien Udim, Mkpat Enin, Ikono, Abak and Ukanafun are practical steps taken in ensuring food sufficiency.
Also, after exhaustive deliberations on the potentials and invaluable merits of agriculture to an economy, he established 35 hectares of improved oil palm plantation in 15 Local Government areas - Ikono, Itu, Ibiono Ibom, Okobo, Ini, Abak, Ikot Ekpene, Uyo, Obot Akara, Uruan, Eket, Essien Udim and Ibesikpo Asutan.
Governor Udom is a man that doesn't believe in throwing money around.
He believes in showing the people the way to sustainable wealth which is agriculture. He knows that Agriculture and food sufficiency are very critical to the well-being and socioeconomic transformation of the people.
In his administration, agriculture engages over 70 percent of the State's population with the capacity of catapulting the Star from consumption oriented economy to a market driven economy.
Few months as Executive Governor, approval for the establishment of Akwa Ibom State Enterprise and Employment Scheme - AKEES was given with the mandate of creating 150,000 jobs. After that decision, there were flurry of reactions. While some people say it is another platform for stealing money, others argue that it's timely and commendable.
But today, individuals are becoming independent and self-reliant economically. This is Udom's path towards elimination of stagnation and poverty.
However, the Governor has so far trained over 450 youths in mechanized farming/vegetable cultivation; 2,000,000 (two million) coconut seedlings at Ikot Abasi, Mkpat Enin, Eastern Obolo axis and has registered over 4,920 in rice farming.
Without doubt, it is noted that, common basic products like toothpicks are imported from China and Nigeria spent over 10billions annually to import this basic products but today, we have the first operational toothpick industry which is currently supplying to over 36 States of the federation.
The bottomline of troubles arising from food insecurity lies in the neglect of agriculture in favour of crude oil exploration and political engagement in the country.
In the era of oil boom, we lost palm fruits and its produce as the major source of revenue in the South East mangrove forest to Malaysia.
From the South West, cocoa farms exterminate leaving employees to park bag and baggage. Up North, the groundnut pyramids lowered gradually to the ground.
Oil brought initial blessings. The thinking, focus and attention of all Nigerians were diverted head long in the scramble for oil proceeds. Unfortunately, oil brought paltry blessings but long lasting uncertainties.
That is why Governor Udom Emmanuel is building a post oil Akwa Ibom and off course deserves our commendation and support. He is, indeed, one to be studied.
Here is one sane governor with a strong conviction that investing in agriculture can reposition Nigeria economically, while feeding it's populace.
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