By Emma Akpabio
In our clime where Political office holders consider car gifts to Aides (not for business purposes) sponsorship of weddings and children dedication as empowerment, one gentleman that has deviated from that ‘norm’ and even humanized politics in Akwa Ibom state is the Honourable commissioner for information and strategy, Comrade Ini Ememobong.
He is one man that believes that the beauty of life does not revolve around his happiness but on how happy others could be, because of him. From distanced observation, Ememobong to me, is a Liverpool fan; He doesn’t walk (work) alone.
The legal luminary doesn’t just walk (work) with people; He ensures the people around him know all the places he knows, eat whatever he eats, drink whatever he drinks and even read the books he has read. Accompany him to anywhere, he ensures you meet whoever he goes to meet. He is known for introducing his people to other people who can make his people’s life change for good.
Ini Ememobong does not only know all the residential addresses of his “cabinet members”, he knows when more than 70% of them pay their house rents. He knows their parents (father and mother) by names, some, their birthdays. To the married ones, he knows their wedding anniversaries the same way he knows when the unmarried team members engage in serious and unserious relationships.
Despite the high demand of his office, the political leader of Ibiono Ibom LGA acknowledges and responds to all mails, memos, chats, SMS, returns missed calls and still finds time to attend social functions. Most shocking is how he pays unscheduled visits to his staffers at home and at their respective offices. He treats with equilibrium, his real friends (friends of Ini Ememobong) and friends of the commissioner – that is, those who are merely friends with him because of his political position.
It is on record that wherever he steps his feet, things change for the better. His superlative performance and unprecedented records in previous offices of responsibility remain unbeatable. Suffices then to say that the name Comrade Ini Ememobong resonates excellence.
On assumption of office as the honourable commissioner for information and strategy, the Ibiono Ibom-born philanthropist in less than 100 days in office, completely transformed the phase of the information ministry’s headquarters at Idongesit Nkanga Secretariat and placed priority in human capacity development of the staffers. These uncommon transformations have brought about improved productivity that is even visible to the blind today.
In the same government where many appointees complain and chorus “mkpò Ibaha”, Ememobong through his office, has sponsored several young men and women abroad. Regular training and retraining of information officers in Akwa Ibom state is now the new normal.
In addition to the Churches built, houses donated to widows, civic centers for several Communities, uniforms/educational materials to students and boreholes to communities amongst others, attempting to give a litany of the scholarships Ini Ememobong has doled out to Akwa Ibom children would be synonymous to naming the 5,000 people Jesus Christ fed in the Bible.
With less than two months to transition in government, where many appointees are trying to save money incase reappointment fails, the social media space was yesterday awashed with another round of incredible philanthropic gestures. Ememobong handed over another batch of business outlets to over 5 indigenes of Ibiono Ibom LGA. This to me, is meaningful empowerment. How does he do it?
Ini Ememobong in the past few years has touched several lives. In government, He has been a reliable bridge between the old and the young. He has been a reliable ladder through which several young men and women have discovered themselves. How does he do it?
Ini Ememobong’s residential gate has never been locked. Despite the multitude of people that troop into his house, no one leaves Emmanuel’s court anytime, without having something to either eat or drink. How does he do it?
Except he is out of the state for official engagement, as late as 11PM, the office block of the information ministry is always lit up, signaling his availability in the office. Visit the office at that time of the night, you will find his staff members still working and smiling. I mean, no one working with him puts up worrying facial emblems. How does Ememobong achieve this?
Ini Ememobong is one of the few top government officials of Akwa Ibom State orgin that dines and wines with the ‘king makers’ in Nigeria, and still returns back to his Use Ndon village in Ibiono Ibom LGA to relate normally with the lowly. How does he do it?
At 39 years, Ini Ememobong has been a successful Lawyer, renowned student leader, impactful Aide to successive Governors of Akwa Ibom state, State publicity secretary of PDP and now a member of the state executive council – a position people in 50s and 60s are currently lobbying for, yet is humble and respective. How does he do it?
If he has achieved all these before the age of 40, including being a loving husband to an adorable wife and father to amazing children. What will Comrade Ini Ememobong be at age 50, 60 and may be 70 and above? This question calls for sober reflection.
Above all, Ini Ememobong doesn’t fail to celebrate people’s birthdays, anniversaries and other ceremonies on all his social media handles. How on earth does he achieve all these?
Comrade Ini Ememobong is unique. His type is rare. Agreed that different people have different styles of administration and relationship pattern. One truth that cannot be swept under the carpet is that, Comr. Ememobong is a 21st century ideal and transformational leader worthy of emulation by anyone that wishes to live a life of impact.
Today is not his birthday, I celebrate him fkr all the lives he has touched and those in his heart, ready to be touched.
Take a bow, sir!
