Unveiling Ini Ekong Udonwa: The Man who wants to take Akpabio's Job

The race to Hilltop Mansion has continued to generate the expected tension, intrigue and surprises. For those close to the power play in the state, the only two known contenders to the exalted position for now remain the incumbent governor, chief Godswill Obot Akpabio and the Uyo-born former minister of the federal capital and former senator of the Nigerian senate, Senator John James Udoedehe. But in far away Singapore an Akwa Ibomite with a larger than life zeal to bring the desired change is rearing to go in his pursuit to become the next governor of Akw Ibom state. This man with the ambition to cause an upset in the next general election in the state is no other than Etinan born Engr. Ini Ekong Charles Udonwa. To many in the state, the question may be, Ini Ekong Udo-what? But has been planning for the onslaught for a long time prompting some keen political watchers to view him as the dark horse that might deliver the sucker punch in the up-coming governorship election in the state. He is a qualified world class Marine Engineer, propelled into the governorship race by his desire to “bring positive change in every aspect of life in Akwa Ibom State by creating job opportunities, providing good education to our children, healthcare and transportation services as well as developing good infrastructure”. He is said to have quietly been mobilizing support for his ambition especially among the Diaspora population of Akwa Ibom people. He has as part of his strategic campaign initiative garnered a strong support base among Akwa Ibomites living outside and according to some of his supporters within the state, who have pleaded that their name should not be mentioned until the aspirants “expected triumphant entry into the race billed for January 2nd 2010, he has made some considerable inroad into the state. He says he does not envisage an easy contest as the worst thing that happens at the point of any change remains courage in the face of stiff opposition. Hear him; “No nation attained greatness without struggles and pains, no man who sought to better the lot of his people did so from the relative comfort of an arm chair. I will put my cause firmly and plainly to you my people and believe you will finally see a way out of the stagnation and sufferings which have been our lot for many years. Determination, equity, vision and a burning desire for change and the willingness of our people will far outweigh all negatives”With his campaign mantra “Hand-in-Hand 2011” Engr. Udonwa seeks to harness all the economic and social potentialities nature has so graciously embedded in the state. He has articulated various programmes and strategies aimed at a fast-tracked development for the state. His economic blueprint for the state cuts across petroleum, aviation, health, industrial development, education, human development, housing and urban development, cultural renaissance etc. He sees a whole lot of road blocks but, he says he is not daunted by them, not even the incumbency factor. In reaction to the issue of incumbency, the aspirant in his website says; “Some have indicated that I might lose because of the power of incumbency and the ever present election rigging but a single sided opinion poll is no substitute for thought and trying. I know our youths are hungry for a better quality of life, I know they are aware that they are not getting what they deserve and I also know that, although they may be under privilege but they do think and demand change and good governance. I took courage and strength from God's love and in knowing that, it is in this moment of decision that my destiny and the destiny of Akwa Ibom State are changed forever. Ultimately it is not how much and what we get but who we become, what we contribute... that gives meaning and direction to our lives”. Udonwa, thinks the present government does not deserve to be re-elected; “The present government of Akwa Ibom State should not be given a mandate for another four-year term due to non deliverance of basic amenities, which the leaders promised the people when they campaigned for the office “ adding that ; “It is clear, even to the blind, that the economic, political, and social situations in the state need reforms. A strong, focused, caring, and engaging leadership is sorely lacking and the vacuum has created a fertile ground for the crimes of kidnapping, armed robbery, political assassination, child abuse in the name of witchcraft, and other vices to flourish in our land, which just a few years ago was regarded by other sections of our dear country Nigeria as a Canaan”Engr. Ini Ekong Ekerette Udonwa is a 1st Class Marine Engineer presently working with Thome Offshore Management Pte Ltd (the largest ship management company in the world). Ini Ekong Udonwa is also the Executive Director of Inkus Marine and Offshore, Singapore and President, Nigeria Business Association, Singapore.Ini Ekong Udonwa was born on 20 October 1968, into the family of Sir & Lady, Nicholas & Philomena Udonwa of Ikot Esen Oku, Etinan Local Government Area. He is happily married to his dear wife, Kama Udonwa and both of them are blessed with three (3) lively, loudly and lovely children, 2 boys and a girl Amedot, Iman and Shazira Zara.Ini Ekong Udonwa, an Akwa Ibom man at heart, has been proactively involved in direct job placement and recommendations for over 2000 Akwa Ibom students in Singapore and Asia at no cost to them, majority of whom he has accommodated in his home. Suffice to say Akwa Ibom origination rather than tribal affiliations have been the passport to his largesse. A large majority of Akwa Ibom State indigenes occupying important positions in major Oil industries in Nigeria (in the field of Marine and Offshore Engineering) have directly or indirectly benefitted from him via recommendations or direct assistance. Ini Ekong Udonwa enjoys the support and goodwill from high level government functionaries in Singapore, China and a number of Scandinavian countries.He will formally declare his intention to contest the 2011 governorship election in the state in a ceremony scheduled to hold at Ikot Mfon Civic Center, Etinan Local Government Area, on January 2nd 2010 at 2pm.