A REFLECTION OF ITORO COLUMBA'S DARING LEADERSHIP STRIDES

A REFLECTION OF ITORO COLUMBA'S DARING LEADERSHIP STRIDES

By Mberekkeobong Essien

Once in every generation, God provides a visibly elated promise keeper and lavishes him with the administrative knack to sail the ship of leadership and tint his chosen people with waves of earthshaking developments. 

The blissful land of Ikono, also known as the cradle of Ibibio Nation has never had it this good in the scheme of things. Amidst staggering complaints which have greeted our trending windows by contemporaries, one begins to wonder where the hidden miracle comes from -the life-saving strategy Ikono chairman has introduced to better the lives of his people. This is evident in the number of achievements brought to the limelight by the Itoro Columba-led administration in the area.  
  

Amidst the socio-economic imbalance that has plagued this country, Nigeria, God in His infinite wisdom, grace and affection for Ikono people, raised a rising star in the person of Mr Columba to serve as forefront manager; and equally save God's chosen land and His people from stagnation and retrogression. He came at the specific time that the delectable people of Ikono were thirsty and hungry for a game changer, just like the arrival of the Biblical Moses.
  

Columba's administration is notable for a number of initiatives which have attracted accolades from the good people of Ikono and outsiders. These initiatives are in the areas of Human Capital Development, Healthcare Delivery and a good number of medical outreaches. 

In addition to the Renovation of the Councillors Chambers, they have also experienced the Clean Borehole, Hand Pump Water Supply, timely provision of Electricity in the donation of 5 Transformers and numerous Youth Empowerment Programmes. These are the  impactful projects sternly visible in the land. The performance list is endless.
  

It is on record that some of these golden footprints had won the heart of Akwa Ibom First Lady, Dr (Mrs) Martha Udom Emmanuel, whose esteemed presence during the kitting ceremony of over 400 natives, who were trained by the Columba administration on various entrepreneurship skills, added colour to the epochal event. 
Boasts can also be made of the good recommendations from the council boss that earned natives of the area good placements in various Boards and Commissions in the State.
  

These stellar milestones with the touch of exceptional brilliantine are spread across the nooks and crannies of the Local Government Area. Meanwhile, prior to his coming, the land's fair share was swindled, its cake recklessly squandered, they were deprived of Commissionership seat and various appointments overtime, several efforts to address these inapt deprivations had badly hit the rocks and were thwarted. 

It was a manoeuvre by political heavyweights who had before now sold the area's birthright for peanuts, especially during the previous State's administration. And that's why we thank God for Gov Udom Emmanuel.
  

An average native of Ikono dauntingly sauntered to celebrate his rightful place of birth or culture owing to the 'unarguable fact', that his pride had dampened. It was as if the collective yearnings and aspirations of Ikono people were held hostage on the page of underdevelopment and political enslavement. 

The people were not openly given that unassuming sailable lifeline to fly, neither was there a committed and passionate pilot (leader) who could place Ikono on the pedestal map and growth, one to become the voice of truth that would activate constant progress. 

Yes, before now, it was as though the people voyage to nowhere; the picture was dimmed and determination to succeed totally simmered; even with the enormous veritable gifts God has bestowed for their destiny's fulfilment. It was terribly a sail without an experienced sailor who could steer safely to the desired destination. Ikono people could no more rank themselves in the place of greatness.
 

Prior to Columba's coming, it was indeed an eyesore. We were held spellbound on the media. "Who knew Ikono in online and on print?" It took the clout and pragmatic commitment of Columba, to explore the space and tap into the minds of our inestimable audience. This idea is another sign to rebrand and reposition the land to be seen.
  

In what has been described by many as stellar performance, Akparawa Columba has been nicknamed with different appellations. Some admirers call him 'Mr Performer', 'the light' 'the Moses', as a leader who has retired mediocrity and restored our pride of place to State's recognition. With him on the saddle, the land is fully recovered and is on the speedy ride to unhindered admiration.
  

Indeed, the record-breaking performance of this action-soaked Ikono council boss, has birthed hope since December 2017. At assumption of office, the fair-skinned, tall and heavily built gentleman was admittedly admired by the stakeholders of the 149 communities, alongside neighbouring villages, who had thrown personal interests to the wind, but have chosen to work with him, love him and remain totally supportive of this divinely enthroned administration.
  

The Ikono Chief Executive possesses some sorts of administrative acumen to deliver; and as a technocrat, his personage is rare. He's got these top-notch qualities which cannot be placed side-by-side with his rivals. With a Godly blessed combination he has the full course to permeate the political landscape with bliss of change which he has already used to emancipate the Ntippe Ibibio people.
  

Like the Israelites who patiently waited for four complete decades to breakforth from captivity and maltreatment, the natives of Itak community had endured a 40-year wait for a council chairman from Itak enclave.
  

As a thorough-bred broadcast journalist, accomplished media entrepreneur and stylish radio talk-show host, Akparawa Itoro Columba's 'footprints' as chairman of Ikono Local Government Council, has elicited milky rave reviews within communities in the area, the State and across Nigeria. This is practically demonstrated in the last international recognition conferred on him by the Akwa Ibom State Association of Nigeria (AKISAN), USA Inc.
  

Columba, with his demonstrable passion, leadership savvy and smashing belief in transforming the hinterland, has undoubtedly proven that it is not how long one holds sway the office, but how well a leader's unbeatable and unmarred achievements outweigh the average.
  

Tinted in wonderment, if the chairman could deliver massively within this period and in the midst of dire financial lack and lean resources, one can then imagine the full-faced grassroots revolution he will bring to Ikono, given a longer tenure of service and improved financial inflow. 
  

The council chairman has not only acquitted himself on the saddle, he has vindicated his boss, who is the Akwa Ibom governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, who has invested so much of trust and confidence in him. 
  

As the desire for more dividends continues to re-echo in the collective mindsets of the locals, it is with much assurances, that all the villages so far touched, in addition to those longing to feel more of such resounding impact, will continue to pray God to bless Ikono chair in his next political crave.
  

Again, for these two years and running with excitement and aptly served grassroots fulfilment, the benefitting communities in Ikono have the Governor Udom Emmanuel's administration to thank for discovering this progressive, forward-looking, fully determined, focused-centered, silk-screened, gold-minded and ebullient-soaked young leader, who has broken the age-long jinx of severely starked under-development in the area.
  

Indeed, Akparawa Itoro Columba is to Ikono Local Government indigenes what a good child is to his parents; a devout is to his Divine Maker. Yes! we can say, "here comes a sigh of relief within". And for me, I am proud "we" have not failed our people who wholeheartedly handed us this mandate.
  

As I write this piece, the cradle city is tinted in new looks. Waves of fresh air permeate the space completely, while the locals remain awestruck -basking and waxing in the euphoria of this epic accomplishment. 

As history never faints, graphics and landmarks remain indelible in the hearts o all natives. Indeed, the chairman of Ikono Local Government Council, Mr Itoro Columba has made us proud with 100% delivery.

This is the finest brand and echo of positive grassroots administration at its top-most best. Sail on and keep on keeping on, the people-centric Chair!

Mberekkeobong Essien, an advocate of Good Governance, writes from Osuk Ediene in Ikono.