Newsfront Online …Telling the Public as it is
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to his purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His son, that he might be the first born among many brethren. Moreover, whom He predestined these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified: and whom He justified, these He also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:28-31). This is a perfect and precise sermon. The creator is absolutely the source of perfect gifts, attractive offices and amazing grace. It is obstinately by His unalloyed approval that one emerges the first out of legions. D.C Stormont Samuel confirmed this in his statement that “All men are born equal, but quite a few get over it.” The quite a few who get over it are those who through God’s grace, determination, courage and industry, ply the paths of thunder and hold the bull by the horns. They are those who are brave enough to earn God’s justification. They are those who consistently paddle against the storms of life until they arrive at their destinations.
In Akwa Ibom State, nay, the world over, there are families and personalities that are more famous, eminent and legendary than others. Some of them have so acquired fame, popularity and superiority as well as commanded influence and acceptability through the giant goods that they have accomplished over time. One of such people is the Rt. Hon (Barr) Onofiok Luke. This legendary personality and vibrant leader comes from Nsit Ubium Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State – Nigeria.
Every man possesses a reasonable degree of exclusivity, inimitability and exceptionality. All humans were born of women. This implies that Barr. Onofiok Luke was born of a woman. He has parents whom in purpose are efficient individualities. They have traits that are capable of distinguishing them from the crowd. They are peculiar people and a bundle of surprises like their offspring who is reputed for springing surprises which tend to paint him a superman. The extremely surprising occurrence in his life, which has also made him a rare gem and a political colossus, is his swift unimaginable and instantaneous ascension to the political stardom, a development that has defined political super stars imagination, calculation and comprehension. What a confirmation to the time honoured legend that none has the fore knowledge of the womb that bears a king. What an attestation of the truth that God alone raises people from the pit to the peak as confirmed in the scriptures (Isa. 2:8). Of the truth, God remains the creator, possessor and controller of heaven and earth. He gives approval before things happen in heaven and on earth. He approves men who wear crowns and the crowns they wear. No man crowns himself. Neither power nor principalities can give a man a lasting honour, God alone does such as he has adorned Barr. Onofiok Luke with a crown of honour. Moreover, God exceptionally equips some people for special duties. Such breeds of persons consciously and unconsciously exhibit super wit, courage, charisma and other virtues from their younger days. A few of such people include Barr. Onofiok Luke.
Specifically, Rt. Hon (Barr) Onofiok Luke’s life has been a mystery from birth. His name attracts and ensures the will of God in his life, despite oppositions and obstacles that seem insurmountable. He always exhibits unusual firmness, charisma, bravery and wit like Joshua and other prophets of old. His life has been characterized by divine interventions, which attestations that God named and raised him for specific functions. Certainly, this prompts him to acknowledge God wherever he finds himself. More often than not, he declares the will of God and prays the kind of prayer that Martin Luther prayed when he faced Emperor Charles at the Diet of worms in the city of worms in the year 1521 “Here I stand, I can do no other. God help me. Amen. (Liardon, 2003, P.156,157)
His emergence and ascension in politics remain more miraculous than political. He took an oath as a law maker in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly representing Nsit Ubium State Constituency in 2011 again, Legion of Akwa Ibom people were at the State House of Assembly Complex when the Clark of the House (Mrs. Mandu Umoren) swore him into the highest office in the Legislative Arm of government on Monday, 19th December, 2015 as the Hon. Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly (the Sixth Asembly). All these happened by God’s approval. No man, irrespective of his wit and might, assumes a throne, survives and succeeds in the throne without God’s consent or approval. Facts like this made God to admonish that all souls should be subject to the governing authorities as enshrined in the scriptures (Rom. 13:1).
Rt. Hon (Barr.) Onofiok Luke’s ascension to power as the speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly took place in recent times that so many politicians and thinkers are of age to assess, evaluate, contrast and, if necessary judge. Success is more personal than collective. This is why personal decisions with or without consultations produce solutions to life’s afflictions. Success has more to do with timing and commitments than luck. Onofiok Luke is not today the Hon. Speaker of the House of Assembly because he is lucky; rather he maximized the opportunities that availed. After all several luckies and gifted people do live and die without realizing their destinies because they abuse opportunities. Some shied away from the responsibilities or challenges that would have made them sublime.
In his maiden interaction with the media community, Rt. Hon Onofiok Luke cleared some points ….” I am not on a revenge mission, I am not there to fight, I came here to assist the Udom Emmanuel-led administration to deliver the dividends of democracy.
Rt. Hon. Barr. Onofiok Luke believes in a government that is a tool of our democracy in service to the public, not an instrument of the aristocracy in search of private wealth. He believes in government with the consent of the governed, of, for and by the people. His legal might has certainly contributed to him being a devout politician, an astute administrator, a true father, a devout husband and several other personalities to numerous people. He is meek and gentile and a devout Christian.
Rt. Hon. (Barr.) Onofiok Luke is a handsome man with beautiful hands, since beautiful hands are those that weave bright threads of joy in lives that grieve; beautiful feet at those that run on errands of mercy, from sun to sun. (Human and materials to limitations will make it absolutely impossible for me to exhaust the long list of Barr. Onofiok Luke Philanthropic and charismatic benevolence, but since it is the true office of history to represent the events themselves, together with the counsels and to live the observations and conclusions thereupon to a liberty of the faculty of every man’s judgment.
Heroes take decisions and actions that create long term profit, while losers take decisions and actions that create a short term profits. Remember a man’s decisions and actions decide his destinations. Barr. Onofiok Luke is currently the 11th speaker of the House of Assembly since the creation of Akwa Ibom State in September 23, 1987. He is happily married with children.
