TheHILL | POLITICS | DECEMBER 12.
The 2023 governorship aspirant in Akwa Ibom state, Obong Ide Owodiong, has faulted the misconception people have about empowerment of the masses in the state, saying it is not about giving bags of rice, and money but about liberating their minds to become wealth creators or get them involved in activities that will create permanent wealth for their survival.
According to the aspirant when the mind is liberated the eyes can then be opened to know how one can take advantages of various opportunities that abound in our society.
Owodiong who stated this on Sunday while fielding questions from newsmen in his country home, Ibesikpo Asutan, said he would build on the legacies of previous leaders of the state to put in place a new social contract for the people of Akwa Ibom state.
He said “People think Empowernent is about giving people bags of rice, no, but to liberate the minds. When your mind is liberated your eyes can then open to know how you can be empowered for a better future. I also want to build on the legacies of our previous leaders like Obong Victor Attah, Chief Godswill Akpabio, Mr Udom Emmanuel and see how we can put a new social contract for the people”.
Owodiong who is the International Coordinator of 1001+ Voices Initiative, a non governmental organisation in Nigeria, however expressed disappointment that many African leaders do not care about laying legacies.
He said great African leaders like Nelson Mandela of South Africa, and others were firm because they stood out for what they believe in
“One problem I have seen about African leaders is that many African leaders have not been concerned about legacy. Great African leaders like Nelson Mandela was firm because he stood for what he believes. That is legacy” he added
Speaking on what he bring into the table to add value to Akwa Ibom state, the aspirant said he would work to strengthen the institution of democracy and ensure there is autonomy and separation of powers.
” I think helping to strengthen the institutions of democracy is one area that I will focused on. Area that has to do with local government autonomy, separation of powers. These are the things we need to strengthen, so that the common man can access government and receive the appropriate response from government. Building institutions, and also see how to also deploy E-governance.
He added “It is difficult to completely eliminate corruption once you have human beings involved in the process, but you can reduce it and the way to do that is to provide systematic approach. If you deploy things that are transactional and reduce the number of human interference, it helps to reduce Corruption and you as a Chief Executive can also track and see where there are wastages, and gaps. Those are the things that I will like to focus on. But also see how we can decentralize growth”.
