TheHILL | POLITICS | DECEMBER 20
The people of Edemaya, Ikot Abasi Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State last Saturday, declared their support for Dr. Idongesit Wilson’s federal house of representatives ambition.
Dr Wilson, an indigene of the area, formally informed the people of his intention to aspire for the Ikot Abasi/Mkpat Enin/Eastern Obolo Federal Constituency seat in 2023, at the Edemaya Civic Centre.
The renowned epidemiologist noted that Edemaya has been at the forefront of the politics of the federal constituency by massively supporting others to victory, noting that the area also has what it takes to produce a national assembly member.
Dr Wilson disclosed that, as one who started working and contributing to the development and growth of Edemaya since his days in the university, he has enjoyed the support of the area.
“When we started changing things in this Edemaya, I was a school boy. People are now talking about changing the narrative but we had started changing the narrative of Edemaya many years ago,” he said.
He said that as a mark of his honour to the people of Edemaya, he decided to commence his formal consultation in the area, soliciting the support of the people.
“I came here today to show and now that you have seen, I am soliciting your support for this project. This is our project. This is for Edemaya. This is for Ikot Abasi. This is for Mkpat Enin. This is for Eastern Obolo.
“What we are going to do in the federal constituency, are things nobody thought will ever be possible. We have the exposure and the will.
“For the people of this federal constituency, whether you are educated or not, you will be captured in our programmes,” he said.
Earlier, various stakeholders across the Clan and also political leaders and faithful of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP from the three local government areas of the federal constituency, declared their support to Dr Wilson’s aspiration.
Ifiok Bernard, the PDP ward chairman, Edemaya Ward II, disclosed that from his personal assessment, Dr Wilson was the best among those who have so far indicated interest for the seat.
He assured the people that they can count on Dr Wilson to deliver on the job because he has the exposure, soliciting their support.
Hon Ubong Markson, the councillor representing Edemaya Ward I, urged the people to see Dr Wilson’s ambition as their personal project and be determined to give their best to ensure that the area produces the next house of representatives member.
“My candid advice is that we should see this as our project. I will be the last person who will support a project outside when there is a project in Edemaya,” he pledged.
Hon Ediomo Udoekpo, the councillor representing Edemaya Ward II, while declaring his support for Dr Wilson’s ambition, said that Edemaya has a product that the people of the area and the federal constituency should be proud of.
Elder Ben Ukpe, a stakeholder from Edemaya Ward I, urged the people of the area to see Dr Wilson’s ambition as an ambition for the development of the Edemaya, adding that Dr Wilson posses all the needed qualities for the office.
Elder Ukpe noted that the area has laboured over the years for others and it was only right for others to support it now that an indigene Edemaya is joining the race.
“Since it has rolled to us now, I strongly believe that we should stand up and stay together like we used to do in the past in Edemaya,” he appealed.
Another stakeholder, Pastor Sylvester Etuk lamented that Edemaya has lost so much in politics and government the area has never produced serious contenders for political positions, urging the people of area to support Dr Wilson’s ambition wholeheartedly.
He noted that with 2023 already by the corner, it was necessary for the people to g full swing in pushing Dr Wilson’s ambition.
“Because 2023 is close and politics has started, I am glad that some someone from Edemaya is out to contest. It is ou duty to support him. Today is a remarkable day in Edemaya, which will result in a positive outcome in 2023,” he added.
Some PDP ward chairmen drawn from the three local government areas of the federal constituency, in their separate remarks, declared their support to Dr Wilson’s ambition. Others who spoke at the event were PDP officers, students, women and support groups from Ikot Abasi, Mkpat Enin and Eastern Obolo Local Government Areas.
Dr Wilson, accompanied by youths and representatives from the 23 villages in the clan, had earlier visited the palace of the Clan Head, Etebom Aniema Essiet, where he received the royal blessings. The royal father, who commended Dr Wilson for the honour, prayed and gave his blessings to the aspiration.
Dr. Idongesit Wilson is a community builder with a track record of community involvement from his days as a student in the University of Calabar. He had served at different times as the President of the National Association of Ikot Abasi Students (NAIKAS) and the President of the National Association of Akwa Ibom Medical Students (NAAKIMS)
As a pioneer EXCO member of NAAKIMS, from where he rose to become president, he played a critical role in the team that got the Akwa Ibom State Government to institute and pay a yearly grant to medical students from Akwa Ibom State across the country.
He founded the National Association of Edemaya Students (NAES) some twenty years ago. Over the years NAES has continued to promote unity and togetherness among young adults from Edemaya. It has also served as a forum for peer-to-peer engagement and a driver of positive change in the community.
Dr Wilson works as an Epidemiologist and Field Coordinator for the African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET) and has served the African Epidemiology space with his vast knowledge for the last 5 years.
He has supported the training of epidemiologists in the country, serving as a Resident Mentor/Supervisor for the Nigeria Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program (NFELTP).
He is a senior Health Systems Strengthening Specialist with experience in Strategic Planning/Implementation, Change Management, Project Management, Health Consultancy, Management of Disease Surveillance and Outbreak Response, Strategic Negotiations and Risk Management.
He currently works as an Epidemiologist/Project Lead on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) funded DHIS Routine Immunization (RI) Module in Nigeria.
Buoyed by his dream of contributing to the improvement of the health and economic indices of Nigerians, Dr Wilson is the Chairman, Board of Trustees, Supportive Health and Redemptive Organization (SHERO), Nigeria. (SHERO Nigeria is a not-for-profit organization that supports HIV/AIDS, Orphaned & Vulnerable children, promote Agricultural livelihood interventions, and other pro-poor programs).
Dr Nta Wilson is also the Chairman Board of Trustees, Edemaya Progressive Association (EPA). EPA is involved in community development, award of scholarships, incubation of leaders and social reengineering for the people of Edemaya. He has remained an active participant in the political process of his constituency in the last 20 years.
