Oro course: Respect is a Reciprocal
By Victor Onomo
Growing up in a society where age is everything can be very challenging. You are compelled to a regimental relationship. It therefore means that the way you laugh, talk, joke, play, sit and even walk is subject to evaluation. This sometimes can be annoying but sometimes fun depending on your level of emotions or time you have spent in such society.
In African society like ours younger people are expected to respect their elders and inability to meet up with the set standard depending on your cultural divide portrays you as an ill trained, disrespectful, arrogant, egoistic etc. But as in human relationship respect can be abused by those given and when this happens the giver on the order hand feels irritated that after meeting all societal demands and standard he/she is not reciprocated. This is where the clause, “RESPECT IS A RECIPROCAL” comes in in social engineering
During the Oron youths protest I paid a courtesy visit to the President of Oron Union youths wing Ulap Uweh Akan a.k.a man don come to ascertain the extend of negotiations to ensure that Oro is recognized as an oil producing community by the Akwa Ibom State government after a call to halt the protest by notable Oron leaders and other Akwa Ibomites.
It’s no doubt that politics have divided us so much especially grossly marginalized tribe like Oro, so it wasn’t out of place to think that with an Ibibio man, Rt. Hon. Ekong Sampson as a commissioner for Environment and Petroleum, Oron might not have a fair hearing. After my visit to the Youth leader my thoughts were disabused and fears allayed. According to the youths leader, Mr. Ekong Sampson played a greater role to ensure that Oro was heard and was in sympathy and solidarity with the Oro course. He went further to show me a memo to that effect. This gesture is rare in a tribalised society like us.
I commended the then Hon commissioner and my tension doused by the charismatic Uwe Akan. As you know the Oro struggle continues and we must continue to build bridges and partner with the likes of Rt. Hon. Ekong Sampson in our quest for a united Akwa Ibom State and equal society for all
This piece is triggered by my personal encounter with the former chairman Mkpat Enin local government area, former member representing Mkpat Enin state constituency, former Commissioner for Petroleum and Environment, Mr. Ekong Sampson. It’s one experience I will continue to relish for a very longtime.
First it was during the birthday celebration of Mr Chris Ante the former president of Oron Union youths wing and chairmanship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party in the recently concluded local government elections. In Akwa Ibom State elites rarely mingle with the commoners but you can’t say this about Ekong Sampson who despite his status in the society annihilated protocols to celebrate with the all Oro crowd while also contributing to the success of the occasion. I couldn’t help but admire his simplicity, humility, comeliness, compassion and admiration of the Oron youths.
Not done with what transpired during the birthday, I booked an appointment which he didn’t hesitate to oblige.
On Tuesday 16th March 2021 the appointment was kept. My intentions and questions were straight to the point. It goes;
Me: Sir how do you feel about the non recognition of Oron as an oil community?
Ekong Sampson: Victor, you can’t talk about Akwa Ibom as an oil producing state without mentioning Oro. It’s not only unfair but unjust. As a journalist, lawyer and a politician I will always take advantage of every opportunity at my disposal to ensure that Oron is given its due right and respect. You can’t continue to neglect a people whose resources are used for the good of the everyone. Let me tell you even as an Ibibio man I have always told those who care to listen that Oron people are intelligent, sophisticated, bold and huge human capital yet untapped. To marginalise people with such depth is to do injustice to the entire state. Given another chance I will drive the Oro dream like a personal dream
Sir do you believe in the tripod?
Ekong Sampson: sure I do. Oron needs to build bridges across the state and disabuse their mind from the political stereotype that the Ibibios hate Oron. Those are negative political propaganda aimed at lining the pockets of the elite. Oron alone cannot make herself a governor. We must begin now to build bridges. As for me, I am in serious sympathy with the Oro course.
Me: finally sir, you have a beautiful place here, how many Oronians are in your employment.
Ekong Sampson :(smiles) Victor my hospitality section is headed by an Oron person. Like I said earlier, Oron have very intelligent and huge human capital. I have over one hundred and twenty (120) employees here and Oron people enjoy over 20% of the workforce
It was a nice encounter with amiable Ekong Sampson. It was a great honour. That respect deserve to be reciprocated.
Victor Efiong Onomo,
aka De Radical Prophet is a public affairs analyst.
