It is almost one year now since Udom Gabriel Emmanuel assumed office as Secretary to the Akwa Ibom Government (SSG) and his approval rating is soaring. His impressive credentials as an accomplished banker stand him head and shoulder above his opponents. Udom who, until his resumption as SSG, was hardly known outside the banking sector where he had distinguished himself and had risen to the position of director at Zenith bank Plc has today become a house-hold name in Akwa Ibom State.
In the last twelve months, Udom has emerged as an undisputed technocrat and administrator who displays uncommon zeal to contribute further to the development of the state even at the highest position of responsibility.
To Udom, the ‘call to service’ was embraced with open arms as it was an opportunity for him to bring his wealth of experience to bear in the development of the state. However that decision did not go down well with some people especially some ambitious politicians in the state. To the latter who perhaps knew Udom’s pedigree, and sensing that he could pose a serious threat to their ambition, it has been one long drawn battle and campaign of mudslinging against him for daring to accept to come down to serve the state.
Sadly, the criticisms that he has faced have not centred on his ability or competence to discharge the onerous responsibilities of his office, but on mundane issues that are neither here nor there.
For instance, many of those who have used various platforms including the media to attack him appear to be angered by the fact that Udom is coming from the banking sector which is reputed for its conservative disposition; fearing that Udom might be too prudent in the management of the state’s resources; a trend that would not be in their best interest.
Some of the criticisms have also been woven around insinuations that Udom was being brought into the state to reap what others had laboured for, over the years (whatever that means). Yet others have grumbled that Udom has never been a politician and, as such, may not understand the ‘ways’ of the politicians.
Many initially appeared to have bought into the lies, but one year after, Udom’s true identity has become known to all, and the SSG is the better for it. Interestingly, in all these, Udom has remained undeterred by the rush of criticisms and attacks. He has kept his level-headedness, hitting the ground running in the discharge of his responsibilities.
No doubt, he has added his quota to boosting the already rising profile of the state which has continued to draw people from home and abroad to see the wonders of an uncommon transformation of the Godswill Akpabio administration.
It is not in doubt that the present administration in Akwa Ibom under the leadership of Governor Akpabio has been widely acclaimed as having performed quite creditably.
In terms of quality infrastructure to drive economic activities, the administration has scored very high. The administration, for instance, has been the first in the country to introduce free and compulsory education for all Nigerians of school age resident in the state.
In other sectors, the state government has acquitted itself in delivering on its promises of providing quality leadership and good governance and there would be no other way to ensuring continuity than for somebody who shares the same vision as the Governor to step into his shoes in 2015.
So far, everything appears to work in Udom’s favour. Arising from the support he is enjoying from all the three senatorial districts of the state, there is all likelihood that should Udom decide to throw his hat into the ring, it would be a wise decision that would be in the best interest of the state.
Already, his posters are adorning strategic locations in the state capital urging him to go for higher responsibilities in 2015. This is coming on the heels of two prominent umbrella groups in the state emerging to champion his call to run in 2015.
One of the groups, Akwa Ibom Consolidation Alliance (ACA) is widely spread across the 31 local government areas of the state and compromises those whose views would likely be sought when the issue of who should step forward in 2015 is thrown up.
According to one observer, it would be difficult for ACA not to present Udom as its most preferred candidate when the time comes given the support he has enjoyed from the group. There are several other groups including Transformation Initiative, all preparing grounds for him whenever he decides to join the fray.
Yet a third group emerged lately calling itself, ‘Udom4Real 2015 Organisation’ with a mandate to ensure they install a technocrat of Udom’s propensities in the state come 2015. Promoters of the group, led by Barr. Okon Ikott said the scale had fallen from their eyes and that they will mobilise every resource within their power to put a credible person in the state and stop desperate politicians who have no other hobby than to milk the state, from taking over the state governorship in 2015.
Expectedly opposition politicians are up in arms; accusing the governor of attempting to impose his candidate on the state. But the governor has explained at every forum that the next governor will be elected by the people and has, so far, not indicated his endorsement for any of the candidates gunning for the state governorship. He has however made it clear that in the interest of fairness and equity, the next governor should come from Eket Senatorial District since the two other districts had already produced governors for the state.
So far, the word is mum! The SSG is yet to indicate his position on 2015 as he appears to be preoccupied with giving his principal the support that would guarantee the timely completion of all on-going projects before May 29 next year.
In all, Udom has remained his humble self; a dependable ally to the governor with the willingness to assume higher responsibilities, if called upon.
Whenever that is done, if it will be, no doubt, he will have a groundswell of supporters who would want to see such a high flyer run the affairs of the state in the coming dispensation; away from the regular do-or-die politicians.
Emmanuel graduated from the University of Lagos with a second class upper in Accounting and followed it with an Msc in Corporate Governance from the London Metropolitan University, UK.
As a top player in the financial world, he has attended various executive management courses including; the Advanced Management Programme (AMP) Insead, France; Advanced Leadership Management Programme, London Business School; Changing the game: Negotiation and Competitive Decision-making, Harvard Business School; Enterprise Risk Management & Basel 11, Dun & Bradstreet; Executive Leadership Programme, Colombia Business School, USA; Strategic Thinking & Management for Competitive Advantage, The Wharton Business School, USA.
He is a fellow of Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA), Fellow of Institute of Financial Management as well as Associate of Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (ACIT).
He has been executive director at Zenith Bank since 2006 and has had direct supervision for Corporate Strategy and Planning, Corporate Financial Advisory Services and Control, Business Development, International Investors’ Relations, Oil & Gas Sector, Infrastructure and Power Sector, Multilaterals, Conglomerates and Private Banking (MCP) as well as Telecommunications Sector; amongst others.
His wealth of experience has also been called to service as Non Executive Director, Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), where he had served since 2010 and as Director, Nigerian Inter-banks Settlement System (NIBBS) from 2009 to 2011.
Aniefiok Udonquak
