Onofiok Luke 2023: Building together, growing together through the power of conviction
First, I give Glory to God for an awesome day like this and for his many mercies. It is indeed by His Amazing Grace that we have not been consumed. To Him alone be all the Glory in Jesus Name, Amen.
The Ibom Hall grounds where we stand today is a symbol of the growth and continued unity of our dear state and the fierce determination of its people.
It is an edifice that holds many memories having witnessed our moments of gains and losses, our growth and development, challenging and peaceful moments, our growth in leaps and bounds, our dedication as a state to God, the
celebration of our beautiful culture, the laying of wreathes to our fallen heroes, our carol celebrations and today is witnessing the people’s movement aimed at enthroning a visionary, purposeful and competent leadership to build our future.
Fellow Akwa Ibomites, Residents, Friends and Well-Wishers, I invited you to this sacred ground to formally and officially inform you that I will be participating in the 2023 general election vying for the position of the Governor of our beloved State, and I hope to win with your support through the Amazing Grace of God.
I am Onofiok Akpan Luke, a native of Ikot etobo in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. As a Child born in Ikot etobo, then, you are born with little dreams and few local challenges and circumstances.
Your chances shrink further when you grow with a slender frame like mine; already thought a weakling, faced with this situation, you only have the love and confidence of your parents and family who believe in your strengths, understand your weaknesses and hold your hands with the belief that you are more than you are assumed to be, and working hard enough to ensure they strengthen you with the tools to enhance your chances at competing globally even from the backwaters. Your father becomes your hero teaching you courage, culture, determination, diligence and the dignity of labour. Your mother becomes a dependable anchor teaching you compassion, the fear of God, humility, charity, temperance, patience and temperance.
When at 13, you lose your hero to the cold pangs of death, your walls come crumbling and you choose to either, stand or fall, walk or crawl, limp or soar. This is my story and for me, I chose to stand, walk and soar. Then your mother with the help of God defies all the odds to provide you with all you need to grow and make it in life. This is my story and for me, I choose to stand,walk and soar.
Today, I am still standing, with an aspiration. For this and many more I return all the Glory to the Almighty God.
When I chose to stand after that unfortunate incident, it was so I could be there for my four siblings and my mother. I knew this would make my late father proud but as time went by, I realized that My father would have wanted much more; more people finding a voice; more people having a representative, more young person’s born in the seemingly obscure places given platforms to compete globally with anyone in their age grade, many more families being able to afford the basic necessities, more people living in good-health to their old ages due to effective and affordable health-care, many more small businesses becoming big, many more barrier breaking technological advances and innovations.
This realization of a call for greater duty stirred my passion for Public Service and this started right in my university days when in 2002, I rode on the popular will of the people-student to emerge as President of the Students’ union of the University of Uyo, I could only understand the yearnings and aspirations of the people. I developed the strength of character, goodwill, outspokenness and the power of conviction. The foundation for my involvement in the Management of public lives of people was laid first from school.
WHAT DO I REPRESENT?
I identify as a local boy with the understanding of the challenges of our people, with a world view of development issues; having been born, suckled and breed in your neighborhood and having also gained international experience as a scholar and as a representative of my country at various levels.
I represent the bridge between the past, the present and FUTURE, I represent the young and the old, the analog and the digital generation, the rich and the poor, the haves and the have-nots. This gives me a unique perspective on issues that cut across the various strata of our society.
I am equally schooled and educated as a trained lawyer with a First Degree in Law from the University of Uyo, and a Master’s Degree in Law from the University of Calabar. I am an active member of the Nigerian Bar Association, and an alumnus of the Harvard Business School Executive Education Program in partnership with Nigerian Institute of Management, Alliance Manchester Business School, London Business School Executive Education, and Yale University, in partnership with the Nigerian Leadership Initiative.
I have had a brief private practice with F.N Ekwere, Co–Shepherd and Fortress Chambers. I have served as a Legislative aide to the Late Enobong Ernest Ukochio, Member representing Esit Eket/Ibeno State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Personal Assistant to Governor Godswill Akpabio served as the Pioneer Speaker of the Nigerian Youth Parliament, I was elected in 2011 to serve Nsit Ubium State Constituency in the House of Assembly and re-elected in 2015, unanimously elected as the 11th Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly,under Governor Udom Emmauel. I have sponsored many private member bill some of which have been passed into law –all end at creating an enabling environment for the development of the state
Today by the Amazing Grace of God I am serving my people as the representative have representative of the Etinan/Nsit Ibom/Nsit Ubium Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and I served as Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Judiciary through the magnanimity of the Rt. Hon. Speaker of the House of Representative, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbabiagamila and the entire house leadership.
Being the firstborn of my family, raised by my beloved mother, Deaconess Lawrencia Luke, I am well aware of the enormity of bearing the burden of leadership. I am married to Uduak Onofiok Luke, Ph.D., a Lecturer in the University of Uyo. I am a father to four children; Etiusung, Enoabasi, Uduakobong, and Uwakmfonabasi. I am unashamedly a passionate follower and believer of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
REPOSITIONING AKWA IBOM AS AN ECONOMIC POWERHOUSE
I intend to use my wealth of experience as a public sector administrator, a lawyer, and an advocate of good governance to serve this state by bringing government closer to the people for socio-economic development, and to reposition Akwa Ibom State for greater prosperity under the theme of Building Together, Growing Together.
My objective is to rally the abundant human resources towards building a vibrant and diverse economy in Akwa Ibom State, while leveraging our infrastructural development and active youthful population to create jobs and provide visionary and selfless leadership to consolidate on the gains of past and present administrations.
We have been blessed with good leaders who have contributed in great measure towards the development of the State, with transformative projects and progressive policies in areas such as Agriculture, Education, and Infrastructure etc.
One example of such transformative policies is the area of education, free and compulsory education program, which was initiated by the administration of his Excellency Governor Godswill Obot Akpabio and sustained by the administration of Governor Udom Gabriel Emmanuel with the aim of improving access to the education for young people.
Our state’s Aviation development is another example in this regard. The Victor Attah International was initiated by Governor Victor Attah. The airport was built by Governor Godswill Akpabio whose administration landed the first plane and commence commercial activities. Governor Udom has since continue with this vison leading to the bedding of an airline-Ibom Air and the implementation of various improvement at the airport and today effort is being made towards the completion of the MRO.
Today, Ibom Air is the envy of other airline operators, and a symbol of the innovation and willpower that Akwa Ibom State possesses. This is evidence of the synergy and continuity in policy implementation that has existed in our state, and that is why, We intend to also continue building upon the achievements of previous and present administrations, add our own initiatives, all aimed at positioning us for a broad-based prosperity. These policies continuity, adaption and improvement can also be seen in the deep sea port development and in the agricultural sector etc.
Dear Akwa Ibom people, we have built roads and the infrastructure built has opened up our dear state and brought opportunities. It is now time to build our people.
The clarion call of my campaign is Building Together and Growing Together. If we are going to build together then we must grow together. That was an important lesson that our mother taught us. She never left any of my siblings behind. And what does it mean? It means NO NOBODY WILL BE LEFT BEHIND!
Today I unveil my social contract with you title building together growing together. I want to assure you that I am fully prepared for the task of serving you and building the Akwa Ibom of our dreams, and I intend to hit the ground running when given the opportunity.
These document contains a summary of my thoughts, the issues that I have identified as the most critical in our State, and my plans to address them. It outlines the main pillars upon which our administration will run, and I am honoured to be able to share it with you. I do not lay claim to monopoly of knowledge on these issues, I will therefore be ready to welcome your feedback and inputs, all aimed at building our State together and growing together thereof. This brief document is a summary collection of select policy prescriptions that will be revealed to the Akwa Ibom People. In the coming months, these policies will be explained and discussed widely as the basis for reorganizing the governance of our state.
As the State prepares to elect a new administration, the Amazing Grace Project is pleased to offer this outline of policies that will distinguish it as a credible alternative to the others vying for the position.
While our vision provides a short-to-long term perspective on the progressive development of our state, all our policies have elements that we can begin to implement immediately upon taking the reins of government.
Depending on the conditions and characteristics of the various sectors of government that will become clearer to us when we have an insider view as the newly elected administration, the pace of implementation of our policy prescriptions will be pursued with greater precision. One certainty, however, is that we have the political will, the skills and the commitment to implement all our stated policies rapidly.
Dear Akwa Ibomites, this is the time to reinvent our economy and society to ensure a rapid progression on economic development and shared prosperity trajectory; to hearken to the yearnings and aspirations of our people; to restore hope and earn the trust of our people in governance; to provide the critical infrastructure that has so easily eluded us; to end the neglect of rural communities; to empower the women and youth; to support our micro, small and medium scale enterprises; to reduce the incidence and severity of poverty in our land.
The most important part of my value proposition is increasing our productivity level to ensure that Akwa Ibom State can compete with other emerging economies. We can do this easily if we engender a greater sense of inclusiveness by ensuring that as we build together, we will also partake in the benefits, and grow together. Akwa Ibom is one of the most peaceful and resource-rich states in Nigeria, blessed with brilliant minds. It is therefore important for us to invest in human capacity development to improve skills and empower our people to build and grow, while improving infrastructure and attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into the state.
We see immense potential in partnering the private sector, our diaspora community, Developmental Financial Institutions (DFIs) and International Donor Agencies to accelerate economic growth, improve quality of life, and create sustainable jobs for Akwa Ibom indigenes.
Our policy direction will be rest on nine pillars:
1. Food Sufficiency & Agricultural Development
2. Education
3. Healthcare
4. Technology Development
5. Entrepreneurial & Industrial development
6. Tourism, Sports & Entertainment
7. Youth, Women & Social Inclusion
8. Security, Environment & Infrastructure
9. Good Governance & Administration
While I will make a view highlights on a few of these pillars of development I plead to refer us to the hard copies of these documents shared here today and the soft copy which can be found on our website- https://www.amazinggraceproject.ng
The most important part of my value proposition is increasing our productivity level to ensure that Akwa Ibom State can compete with other emerging economies. We can do this easily if we engender a greater sense of inclusiveness by ensuring that as we build together, we will also partake in the benefits, and grow together. Akwa Ibom is one of the most peaceful and resource-rich states in Nigeria, blessed with brilliant minds and natural resources. It is therefore important for us to invest in human capacity development to improve skills and empower our people to build and grow, while improving infrastructure and attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into the state.
We see immense potential in partnering the private sector, our diaspora community, Developmental Financial Institutions (DFIs) and International Donor Agencies to accelerate economic growth, improve quality of life, and create sustainable jobs for Akwa Ibom indigenes.
Agriculture has been the mainstay of our economy but the involvement and development of our people in this sector shrink daily and as a consequence of this, we would need to increase and build the capacity of our own people towards growing what we eat, expanding scientific research and training opportunities, technical assistance and training to farm groups and agribusinesses. When these capacity enhancement efforts for our people are made, Sizable investments will be made to boost our agricultural sector, and we will provide the much-needed infrastructure, funds for agricultural loans and access to knowledge of best-practices to boost production and provide jobs for our teeming youthful population while improving food security.
Health is another area in which we intend to make giant strides, by improving access to primary health in our rural communities and ensuring that health insurance is available. Our first motivation as a people to get involved and benefit from the promised growth is good health and this is a core pillar of our policy. It is the understanding of this need that led me to sponsor the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency Bill, and the State Health Insurance Scheme Bill, both of which were passed into law. As a matter of urgency, we will ensure the reskilling and training of our Healthcare workers to ensure their capacity is maximized. It is a fact that Health care workers (HCWs) often work in a challenging and a stressful environment. Many of the complaints against HCWs relate to poor communication, and much of the stress and anxiety felt by health professionals is reportedly due to difficulties in dealing with patients. To address this, we will develop a regular Capacity Building Programme aimed at ensuring healthcare professionals have better communication skills to deal with complex situation, are better able to share health information with patients and are better supported to prevent or alleviate their own stress and anxiety.
Education is a major pillar of development in our effort towards building our people and their capacity. We intend to invest in building the capacity of the faculty reviewing the curriculum to meet with the current reality and providing infrastructure to ensure safer schools initiative. Our administration will also upgrade infrastructure in schools and improve the welfare of teachers and students across the State through the provision of educational support via merit-based scholarships and bursaries, and upskilling opportunities for teachers. This will in no small measure prepare our students and afford them the needed boost to compete with their peers anywhere in the world
Developing human capital requires creating and cultivating environments in which people can rapidly learn and apply new and innovative ideas, while building the required competencies to enable them to compete globally. The Nigerian Information Technology (IT) scene has morphed from a handful of technology enthusiasts with limited access to resources in the early 2000s, to an exciting and innovative arena today where young Nigerians are making a difference by building useful software applications, attaining vital positions in global technology firms, and solving Nigeria’s and Africa’s problems through technology.
Akwa Ibom State is an emerging technology hub, and we will make it a priority to provide access to IT education, mentorship programs and technology incubation facilities for our youth. We will ensure that Information Technology becomes a fundamental part of our educational system in Akwa Ibom. This is the only way that we can produce a globally competitive next generation of leaders from Akwa Ibom.
We will ensure that salaries, gratuities, and pensions are paid on time, and that our civil service is well-equipped and repositioned for increased productivity and efficiency.
We have hope in enormous potential of our people and we will ensure we BUILD our people to be managers of our sectors. Our Aviation sector would be enhanced when we prepare adequately to cut capital flight which is the effect of the unavailability of our own people manning the sectors. To this end, we will strategically train aerospace engineers, air traffic controllers, aircraft mechanics and technicians, quality control personnel, pilots and even members of our cabin crew. It is our belief that in no time, the professionals we build will man our sectors.
Thankfully, we have obtained the approval of the Full Business Case of the Ibom Deep seaport project and we can only imagine to what extent the completion of this project would lift our state and attract investors. The fundamental concern is on how to ensure our people our better prepared and their capacities enhanced to be part of this massive sector. In our efforts at Human Capacity Development, we will train our citizens in offshore pipe laying, marine and vessel engineering, port and ship management as well as maritime law.
Our administration will ensure gender equity social inclusiveness by investing in the creation of programs that provide opportunities for women to increase their incomes, gain relevant skills, participate in governance, and continue to contribute in even more impactful ways to our society.
We will also ensure a more inclusive society for persons living with disabilities and the Vulnerable in the state by promoting social inclusion programs in schools and communities, and investing in structures that make living easier and safer.
Youth, Sports and Talent Development are other areas where we intend to develop the capacity of our people in. We will provide our youths with the right platforms to help them gain marketable skills with which they can build livelihoods and excel in our nation. We will be celebrating our wins no matter how small- be it intellectual, scholarly, and creative wins.
We will promote the development of sports in our State by encouraging participation in sports at all levels through tournament sponsorships, athlete sponsorships, and sports scholarships. Our traditional sports will be celebrated and promoted.
We will develop Akwa Ibom’s Tourism and Entertainment industry and promote the State as the ideal tourist destination and as a fast-growing entertainment hub. We intend to take full advantage of the beautiful landscapes, historical landmarks, creative talent and beautiful culture that we have been blessed with.
The contemporary multifaceted tourism industry is a highly dynamic field of human activity that has been developing into a leading industry capable of generating sufficient revenue for our state. The growth of this sector is hinged on the capacity and depth of our tourism professionals. To underscore the importance of this sector, many professional bodies like Confederation of Tourism and Hospitality, the Institute of Hospitality, the Hospitality Guild offer membership and certification trainings to enhance one’s status within the field of tourism and hospitality. It is our Goal to build strategic partnerships to have our people trained in this sector as they are the first signpost to our accommodative nature as a state and their ability to engage investors who visit our state will be an added advantage.
Industrialization will be a major area of focus of our administration. We will strive for the completion and utilization of the Liberty Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone, and the Ibom Deep Sea Port, among other projects, through effective collaboration with relevant stakeholders. I reiterate that we will also build capacity within the State by making sure that our youths have the right skills to take up roles in these emerging industrial hubs.
The economy of our dear state would only take a downward spiral if we do not build a viable structure for Small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs). These enterprises constitute the foundation on which any economy rests and we will prioritize them through the provision of interest free loans and grants as well as a special fund set aside for this purpose. This will be followed through by periodic evaluation of impact assessment.
Infrastructures are not built in a vacuum or by aliens. They are built by people. We will certainly miss the mark if we neglect the people who will build and maximize these infrastructures. As such, it is an integral part of our policy drive to develop competencies of our people for improved manpower needs for our policy drive in transportation infrastructure, critical infrastructures (shelter, energy, education), energy infrastructure, information and communication infrastructure, sustainable urban infrastructure as well as healthcare infrastructure. You truly do not build a state. You build people who in turn build the state and we are committed to this purpose.
From the foregoing, it is palpably clear that the enthronement of the amazing grace project would be the enthronement of our people, an enhancement of their individual capacities and the promotion of their readiness for the massive investment of our economy for these investments would meet a ready people ready to be part of the growth of our dear state.
We propose an all-inclusive government, where development across the state will be simultaneous and impactful, and where resources will be distributed equally and fairly.
Our government will be for everyone – from remote communities in the marshlands of Eastern Obolo to those in the highlands of Itu, from communities like Nditia and Ikot Udota in Eket LGA, to communities such as Obot Mme in Ini LGA and Ikpanya in Ibiono-Ibom LGA, to Akpa Mfri Ukim in Uruan LGA and Okorutip in Ibeno LGA. From communities like Eyulor in Urue Offong/Oruko LGA, to Udesi Isong Inyang in Mbo LGA, from Esuk Oro in Oron LGA to Utu Ikot Ekpenyong in Ikot Ekpene LGA and Uta Ewa in Ikot Abasi LGA, among others.
Our government will be one where every ethnic group in the State will be relevant. It will be one where meritorious public service and integrity will be rewarded, and capacity will be sourced from the state and beyond.
To achieve all these, we need to generate revenue and below are highlights of my plan on revenue generation. The future and sustainability of growth in our economy is dependent on how we can continue to grow our IGR and at what pace we can grow our IGR, increasing our database of remitting agents and significantly increasing our collection, as backed by enabling laws in the state, would make all the difference. Two Immediate areas of interest would be:
1. Agriculture
2. Tourism
AGRICULTURE
We can position to become the true food basket of the nation by ensuring food sufficiency at home whilst also inclining or positioning our state for local export. There has to be land usage reforms that would ensure that there can be an aggregation of landmass that can support large scale agriculture which would yield significant output for within and without Akwa Ibom State. The potential of revenue that can be generated from large scale agriculture and agro- businesses is immense with the Government playing a key role in providing infrastructure, an enabling environment for participation from the organized private sector as well as function as a regulator via am Akwa Ibom State Agriculture Trade exchange board.
Note that we can have large scale farms that also include training and horticultural institutes as well as hospitality facilitates like Almat farms in Kuje, Abuja.
TOURISM
With amazing and long coastlines or beach lines in oue beloved State, we have no business not generating significant revenue from tourism with special mention of aqua-tourism. Our beach lines need to be converted to commercials hubs with hotels and guest house being built along the shore line. These would lead to entertainment and economic activities taking place along those coast lines. All across the world, these has proven to be sustainable means of IGR along several revenue lines for any state and even nation.
Water transportation therefore becomes an area of interest in term of revenue generation in terms of tourism. We would have a vibrant water transportation and tourism system ranging from ordinary ferry services to even having wedding receptions and occasions on larger vessels and yatch. The possibilities are almost limitless to how we can interact and engage the abundant resources that God has blessed us with and the time to do so is now.
We will encourage our brothers and sisters in the diaspora to come home and invest, and to bring their wealth of experience in different human endeavors for the benefit of the State. We aim to build an Akwa Ibom State where everyone will be treated as one. An Akwa Ibom State for persons with disabilities, a State for the elderly, a State that empowers our youth, a State where gender equality thrives, a State of equal opportunities for all, and a State where the rule of law is upheld.
Finally, with the capacity and genuine intentions that I have, I want to offer Akwa Ibomites leadership and governance, and not politics. To achieve this I seek the wisdom of God, the partnership of every strata of the state from the Government, traditional and religious institutions, Business men and women, citizens and residents of the state, Elders, Youths, security agencies and most importantly the media so that we can build an environment for all to pursue their legitimate goals.
I seek to lead the State in the capacity of the Governor with the clear intention of providing sound, purposeful, intentional leadership. Leadership that is devoid of arrogance and shows of power. The communication of our modest achievements will not be boisterous or superfluous. We will be talking with our citizens and not talking down on them. We will magnify the strength of our people and walk with them through their weaknesses. We will amplify their virtues and encourage them to drop their vices. We will lead from the front with humility, a sense of purpose and inclusiveness, to provide solutions to the myriad challenges facing our people, using judiciously the abundant resources at our disposal, and employing the best of abundant human resources to the glory of God Almighty.
We are uncompromisingly committed to our number one Pledge, “To give God the first place in all of our endeavours” while acknowledging his Amazing Grace that is sufficient to us. Our leaders and representatives will continue to respect our citizens and residents, to lead by example and embrace responsibilities associated with being genuine role models.
We pledge that our government will consult with social, religious and economic clusters as well as non-governmental and community-based organizations as we embark on the journey to restructure our State and society, in order to create a new order that will be all- inclusive.
To our friends and investors we hoped to strategically open our doors and provide safe environment for your investment. We will through inclusiveness engage our communities to welcome, encourage and support every of the investments you bring. We hope to mobilize the communities through down to earth governance style in other to stem the tide of community resistance to investments and investors.
In pursuit of the aforestated GOAL, we hope to;
-Tenaciously follow the positive ideals of our founding fathers
-Consciously raise a generation of audacious public/private sector leaders
-Vigorously pursue a self-reliant economic agenda as set and developed by previous and present administrations
-Spiritually build our trust and confidence in God
-Passionately, conscientiously and sincerely put the interest of our people first through selfless service
-Strategically open our doors to visitors and investors as hospitable people
-Ensure adequate protection of lives and property of our people
-Defend the interest and rights of our people while diligently seeking redress where such rights are violated.
I intend to serve and leave behind legacies that will echo for many generations and a name that will be remembered positively in history.
To our youth caucus, council and other youth groups, I have shared the same challenging moments with you. I have worn t-shirts, been a bandboy and mobilized for the successes of different administrations. I know what it means to be given an opportunity at the leadership table. I am your best choice and will be a trustee of honour regarding our collective patrimony. Stand with me to build our state and future so that we can also grow together.
To those who feel I’m too young and those who feel I have spent so many years in public service, have I been found wanting in character, competence and delivery throughout my spell in the different offices I have occupied?
As every human is prone to be, I may not be perfect in the discharge of my mandates but I know the heart I have for humanity and the passion I have for service; a passion that has led me to be selfless in my years of public service.
I invite and urge you therefore to make the Amazing Grace Project your preferred choice for the Governorship of our dear State come 2023.
I present myself for this task!
God bless Akwa Ibom state.
