By Augustine Ehikioya
As one of his key strategies in governance, the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel has revealed why he gave his all to enthroning security and peace in the State.
Before he came on board, insecurity in the State in the form of kidnapping, cultism and armed robbery were the order of the day.
But with calmness and relative peace now in the State, the Governor said he accorded security in the State top priority because nothing could be done in the State or anywhere else without peace and security.
He spoke exclusively with Security Watch Africa (SWA) when the crew presented his letter of nomination for award and lead speaker at the Government House in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Recognizing his support for security in his State, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba, nominated Governor Emmanuel for the award.
Apart from the award to be given in Dubai, United Arab Emirates in November 2022, the Governor is also selected to be the Lead Speaker at the Africa Security Watch Conference.
Gov. Emmanuel said “I am one person that believe in development. And you can’t develop if there is no peace. What is peace? Peace is the absent of war, violence.
“Peace is where things can work, where development thrives easily, without which we cannot be talking about development.
“It is something that I really want to encourage and that’s why I’m here. Once you talk about security, you get me immediately. When you talk about peace, you find me immediately,” he added.
The Governor went on “It’s good you are watching what we are doing. We are in the public glare. We signed this social contract to protect lives and property.
“Security is something I don’t like to talk much on camera but I want to say here that for the IGP to nominate me to be considered for this, is something that really encourages me.
“It is very exciting, it is quite encouraging and it shows that whatever we contribute, no matter how little, people still take note of it.
“Everyone around me will let you know I don’t go for awards, I don’t receive awards. But for this one, we will respond officially. Be rest assured that my lecture note will be ready,” he stated.
While expressing his readiness to showcase the Akwa Ibom example to the rest of the world, the Governor said everything should be done to ensure peace and security in Africa.
Africa, according to him, should no longer be the whipping boy of the developed countries.
He said “It is something I will like to attend because it should be encouraging, peace should not elude Africa. Once we don’t have peace, what else should we stand for.
“Once anything happens in the whole world, we are always the whipping boys. So we should do everything possible in Africa to have peace and to live with one another in peace,” Gov. Emmanuel said.
He commended the IGP for recognizing his support for security and nominating him for the award.
“Extend my regards to the IGP, he is a fantastic guy. He came with a sense of purpose and I pray that God should help him achieve his goals and purposes,” he said.