…Recounts The Akwa Ibom Experience
Priority on the welfare of the citizenry, political inclusion and equitable distribution of resources, have been identified as major sources of sustainable peace in any society.
Foremost economist and immediate past Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Udom Emmanuel, stated this over the weekend while delivering a keynote address at the 8th London Political Summit and Awards at the House of Parliament Westminster Palace.
Delivering the address as Guest Speaker on the theme, “How people, politics and power can sustain peace”, Mr Emmanuel said. “peace flourishes when the people are empowered.
“The welfare and participation or inclusion of all citizens, whatever tribe, gender or religious affiliation, as in the Akwa Ibom State story, are crucial in sustaining peace.”
Narrating the Akwa Ibom Story under his watch between May 29, 2015 and May 29, 2023, Udom Emmanuel recounted that, “in May, 2015, I was sworn in as the Governor of Akwa Ibom State in Nigeria. At the time, insecurity was the order of the day.
“Militants were the underground leaders. People moved in fear. Night life was non-existent. It was tough but just like President Obama stated, I believed that though hard, peace was possible.
“We started with dialogues, face to face dialogues with the militants, with the students and youth, with the women and professionals, from the grassroots to the top, to the Akwa Ibomites in diaspora all over the world.
“It took some time, but everyone was included – everyone felt included as well.
The ex governor told the forum that he also went into dialogue with indigenes in the diaspora, and went on to appoint one of their past presidents as a member of his executive council, thereby ending the perpetual distrust they had about their home state government.
“We all took ownership of the state and the resources of the state. Resources were now being equitably distributed. Education and good affordable healthcare became a priority.
“Peace won! From then until now, Akwa Ibom State is considered one of the safest in Nigeria. The Akwa Ibom State story is one of success. Politics of a state with the power conferred on it and the inclusion of the people, fostered and achieved sustainable peace.”
He recounted that on April 27, 2016, “the United Nations General Assembly and the Security Council substantively adopted some resolutions aimed at achieving sustainable peace as enumerated in their schedules (A/RES/70/262 and S/RES/2282, respectively) which underpinned the 2015 review of the UN Peacebuilding Architecture.”
He regretted that despite the far -reaching, comprehensive resolutions, crises presently rock over 34 countries, the latest being the Russia, Ukraine, Israel and Hamas.
The former Governor maintained that, “while the severity and duration of these conflicts differ, they significantly impact populations (even beyond the immediate theatre) with devastating physical and humanitarian consequences.”
Mr Emmanuel explained that, “power must be exercised with utmost responsibility, transparency, and accountability”, disclosing further that, “power and politics are expected to create the conditions that provide people with an acceptable standard of living, which is a precondition for peace and fulfilment.”
He reasoned that whatever the form or shape of power, it must be legitimate to the effect that its roots are with the people if it must survive, and this legitimacy confers the belief by citizens that a government has the right to rule and guarantees safety of lives and property and ultimately, ensures sustainable peace.
“People will always feel they have a stake in the society when they are able to see, feel and measure government’s commitment to them.
It also means that governments must be seen to be fair without which the people will be unsatisfied and dissatisfied with power and politics, then peace will be threatened’, he added.
Among dignitaries at the event was the current Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, who used the occasion to speak on his Arise Agenda blueprint and the enormous potentials that abound for investors in the State.
The 2023 edition of the London Political Summit and Awards, the second attended by Mr Emmanuel was organized by Cater and Merger Consult UK in collaboration with Hughes and Stratton Consulting.
