The Founder of Uyo Book Club, who is regarded as the Father of the Book Club initiative in Akwa Ibom State, Dr Udeme Nana, has formally announced the program for the 87th birthday celebration of a former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Arc. Obong Victor Attah.

In an interactive session on Sunday with some of his friends in the media industry to appreciate the role of the media in State building, the well-known Media Scholar started by explaining some of the steps taken by the present Governor and likened their potential impact to some of the projects embarked on by Obong Attah.

Dr Nana, a Chief Lecturer in Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua, commended His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno for projects and programmes in his ARISE Agenda that would boost the economy of the State when completed and put into use.

He said: “Some of the projects which would serve as economic boosters and enablers include the ARISE Park. All the facilities in the park would create jobs in addition to providing recreation.

“Another is the move to complete the International Conference Center and the five star hotel at the Udo Udoma Tropicana Area. Akwa Ibom would become a destination for big local, national and International Conferences. That would create jobs and boost the economy of the State. Our youths would be gainfully employed and would build capacity in the management of those world class hospitality facilities.

“In Agriculture, the decision to encourage the cultivation of oil Palm trees through distribution of seedlings to people in all the villages, wards and local Government Areas in the State is a huge and positive step. Oil Palm is a very viable economic tree. I have a small oil Palm plantation in my village and it has helped me a lot. In fact, I have told my mother that I want to plant more seedlings in the coming year. There are various uses to which Palm fruits could be put and no part of it is useless. Most people only know about the basic products from it like Palm oil and Palm kernel but there are uses for Palm fronds, Palm trunks, Palm kernel cake and several by – products. I really commend the Governor for this focus on Agriculture and trying to motivate our people to take advantage of the policy and improve their standards of living. It’s a big leap which we shouldn’t stand and watch.”

According to Dr Nana, “Most of the projects embarked on by Governor Attah, second Civilian Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State were economy enablers. The Independent Power Plant was to supply 24 hours electricity to the people of our State. The Power plant has transformed the economic profile of the State.

“The Ibaka Deep Seaport envisioned by Governor Attah was to change the industrial profile of our State. Had it been completed, it would have driven the economy of our State and transformed the lives of our people.

“The Airport which has been named after him was to have a Maintenance Repair and Overhaul MRO facilities for Airlines to carry out C checks on their planes. It wasn’t designed for flights only. When completed and operational, it’s our people who would acquire skills needed to run it. The Science and Technology Park which he envisioned would have been another gigantic stimulant for Akwa Ibom State but regrettably, it was abandoned and we missed the bus there.

“Le’ Meridien Hotel was not just a hospitality outlet but had a recreational and leisure component, The 18 hole Golf Course as a complement. You need to see the number of high worth business executives who fly into UYO to relax at the Resort Hotel and play Golf and other games there.

“It was his government that attracted the Shelter Afrique Housing Estate to Akwa Ibom State. Today it has become a prime residential estate.

“His Administration built 1550 housing units in the State, built the Governor’s Lodge in Abuja and the Akwa Ibom State Liaison office Complex in Abuja. He built general hospitals in Abak, Okobo, Oruk Anam and INI LGA. He built the road now popularly called 4 lanes with traffic light, he dualized Abak road, Ikot Ekpene road, Oron road, remodeled the IBOM Plaza, and built world class motor parks in Uyo to mention just very few. One shouldn’t be talking about those basic things because he used to describe them as ‘bread and butter’ contributions.

“Above all, he fought boldly for the payment of 13% derivation funds to Akwa Ibom State and other Mineral bearing States in Nigeria. He has continued to lead the advocacy for the practice of the true tenets of Federalism which would devolve more powers to the Federating units. He remains a resolute advocate of fiscal Federalism and the rule of law in Nigeria.”

Dr Nana, who is the Secretary of the Central Planning Committee for the launch of Obong Attah’s Biography titled “Attah: Architect of a New Democratic Dawn”, disclosed the names of officials at the Book launch, saying: “The Chairman of the occasion is His Excellency, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, former President of Nigeria, the Special Guest of Honour is his former colleague in the class of 1999, the sitting President of Nigeria, His Excellency, Bola Tinubu. The Book Reviewer is Professor Effiong Johnson of the University of Uyo while the Publisher of Vanguard Newspaper, Mr Sam Amuka is expected to unveil the Book.

“The Chief Host is the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, PhD.”

He said that the Chairman of the Central Planning Committee is a former Federal Permanent Secretary and Ambassador, Dr Godknows Igali, while a former Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State and former Minister for Information, Mr Labaran Maku, CON is the Chairman of the Publicity Sub Committee.

Other Members of the Committee are Otunba Supo Shonibare, Dr Stella Dorgu, Dr Jerry Nwohu, Eka Rob, Dr Jalal Tafawa Balewa and Professor Tunde Esan.