One: The Untold Story behind his Ascendancy

By Happiness Amos

The word, ONE is synonymous to the beginning of things and of course, the elementary and foundational upbringing. ONE in other word is an acronym for a man of destiny who pioneered the development of Akwa Ibom State and indeed, the Niger Delta region in terms of development of infrastructure and human capital. The acronym ONE, which is referred to Obong Nsima Ekere (ONE) was the enigma of divine intervention in the affairs of man.

Obong Nsima Ekere, former Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State under the headship of Chief Godswill Akpabio, former Senate Minority Leader, has been the brain behind the success story of his former boss. As former chairman of Ibom Power Company, he provided constant and affordable power to the people of the state.

As deputy governor, ONE helps in the coordination and integration of the people of the state as well as playing a supportive role in ensuring that Akwa Ibom State is reckoned with in the comity of states. As deputy governor, he was also responsible for the maintenance of peace within the boundary warring communities and brought lasting peace to those communities.

In terms of human empowerment, ONE has trained thousands of youths in the Niger Delta in various areas of human needs including providing starter packs to business owners; organizing training seminars, workshops and symposia to the youths of the region; renovating schools and other institutions of learning to enhance effective teaching and learning; renovation and building of health facilities to carter for the health needs of the people; granting of scholarships to brilliant and indigent students of the region in higher Institutions within and outside Nigeria among others.

ONE is many things to many people. He is a friend to the widows; father to the fatherless; friend of the needy; hope to the hopeless and light to those in darkness. His penchant to success anywhere he finds himself is a plus for him. As he seeks for an opportunity to become the number one citizen of Akwa Ibom State, his antecedence speak for him and it behooves the people of the state to give ONE the chance and opportunity to bring his God-given attribute of light to the state.