IBOM DEEP SEAPORT

 AKWA IBOM YOUTHS : WELCOME TO BLUE ECONOMY... THE FUTURE IS HERE.!

By Linus Effiong

The joy of approval granted Akwa Ibom State for the commencement of Ibom Deep Seaport is a welcome development liken to the frenzy we had the day of our State creation on the 23rd September, 1987 that defined our consciousness, political identity and cultural heritage as a people with one great destiny.

Suffice to say that Ibom Seaport is a marine facility that jumpstart emerging blue economy where the services of professionals and various businessmen form the interplay of forces and dominate the space.

According to World Bank, "Blue economy is a macro economic concept that involves every aspect of national and global governance", which Akwa Ibom is now a major destination in the international map. "It is a sustainable use of ocean resources to drive economic growth, improve livelihoods, and provision of jobs while preserving the health of the ocean ecosystem".

This great feat by Governor of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency, Mr. Udom Emmanuel is an ambitious leap of Akwa Ibom into economic prosperity, exponential growth and rapid development of our people, but the big question is, how are the youths prepared with their potentials to key into this emerging economy to avoid strangers occupying strategic positions ?

This applaudable breakthrough is a product of resilience, mettlesome and gritty performance of Gov. Udom Emmanuel, which calls for the youths to be trained in various related areas like safety and other  technical aspects to take good advantage of the economic window.

With this, the various enterprise development initiatives instituted by the Governor when he assumed office in 2015 till date is the bedrock of engagement.

On this note, It's worthy to salute the leader who has done what Napoleon the great couldn't do,  Gov. Udom Emmanuel. He saw today some years ago and developed a template of self relevance through Dakkada philosophy.

As a batch of encouragement, it's ethical to commend a dutiful lieutenant, Mr. Akan Okon whose Ministry is saddled with the herculean task of interpreting the vision of Gov. Udom Emmanuel in this direction.

However, a significant impact made by this development is that the youths have a golden chance to rise beyond self pity and joblessness to self redemption, self repositioning and possibly migrating from the traditional political engagement to a new ( blue ) economy.

Though this commendable feat isn't a hundred meters race, it is a moment lthat must be dedicated to visionary leadership where the past and present must be commended. To this view, the foresight of Obong Victor Attah must be acknowledged nay Chief Godswil Akpabio whose administration kept the dream alive for the leader of ( Gov. Udom Emmanuel ) imbued with doggedness and goal getting spirit to do the miracle that pessimists and critics thought it was extremely impossible considering many years on the table of concentric political intrigues.

To this view, the Federal Government of Nigeria under the leadership President Buhari must be appreciated regardless of partisan differences.