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| Hon. (Otuekong) Nse Ntuen - Indo |
By Aniekeme Finbarr
His desire to succeed in life is cast in steel and he approaches the journey of life with an unconquerable, unbeatable, unsurpassable, unshakeable and indomitable spirit. His name is Otuekong Nse Essien, the Deputy chief whip and member representing Onna State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly. I may not fully know why his friends call him Indomitable but what I admire about his life's philosophy is his never-say- die resolve to achieve anything he sets his eyes on. His success magic lies in his consistency and power to reinvent his self time after time- like the mythical firebird, the phoenix, which burns itself in a nest of cinnamon twigs at the end of life cycle but springs forth from same tepid ashes of time as a new and inspired phoenix. There is no surer pathway to success than stepping into the indelible footprints left by ordinary men like Indo with an extra ordinary zeal to succeed. That is why Otuekong Nse Essien has inspired many youths to believe that Yes, they can! His life has shown that whatever a man sets his eyes on, so shall he achieve.
He came into spotlight as a student leader and shone brightly on his generation, a light that has never gone dim. He was once an Assistant secretary at NAAKISS and later Vice President of the body. I am sure Nigeria felt the warmth of his leadership flame. And today, the people of Onna State Consistency are privileged to have a young, vibrant, committed gentleman as their representative.
Indo as he is fondly called was born on the 23rd day of march 1970 to the family of Dr and Mrs Essien of Ikot Akpan Nkor, in Awa Clan in Onna Local Government Area. He studied English at the University of Uyo from 1991 to 1995 and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A Hons) degree in English Language from the University. He proceeded to the mandatory Youth service in kwara before passing out a year after. Indo is a great lover of sports and is always fit and healthy. One of the outstanding philosophies of his is that physical exercise is an important or essential part of mental and psychological well-being. Sports scholars capture it better in Latin, Mens sana in corpore sano, translated as "a sound mind in a sound body" or "a healthy mind in a healthy body". Indo is a great lover of football and was team manager of University of uyo team in the University. He won lots of laurels in his time and till the last game at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, he never misses to watch Akwa United play.
Indo derives his strenght from people-power, the trusted source of political power and success. For him, success is worthless if it doesn't lead others to succeed. As a grassroots mobilizer and faithful servant, he is a man who understands the language of poverty; the rhythm of want and the agonizing music of going to bed at night in an empty stomach. His approach is akin to that of the saintly Mother Theresa who admonished that some people can only see the image of God in the bread you have to offer them. As a leader, Indo walks the streets and hamlets of his constituency in pain, feeling, as it were, the nudging hunger etched in the sad faces of the deprived. I am sure, if elections were to be done a million times over, he will win over and over again.
As I offer a few lines to celebrate success, it must be stressed that to be elected to serve in the public realm is a call to patriotic duty. And this entails vacating all personal goals, dreams and activities for the attainment of the collective objectives. For the period that one invests his personality in this endeavour, family life, business interest and other personal considerations are relegated. These are the sacrifices that provide the undercurrent for responsible leadership. It entails missing meals, sleeping late or never at all to ensure that the ship of state sails on. It means staying loyal and committed despite personal cravings. That is why I boldly say that Nse Essien is great young man who has been wonderful in managing the sacrifices and still imparting lives positively in a private and public capacity. Even the political and business class attest to his kind disposition and strong zest to impart lives. He has exhibited an exemplary conduct in governance, rooted in transparency and admirable husbandry of both human and financial resources. His fidelity to accountability, rule of law and due process is well known either as Secretary of Onna Local Government Council, Member of the Governing Board, Former College of agriculture or as House member.
For those who are yet to feel the success power of Indo, a little patience is required, especially for those of his primary constituency. He will deliver. The most important function of the legislature is the enactment of enlightened laws for the benefit of the populace and the general function of criticism, and scrutiny of executive policies and decisions. Info is at home with the rudiments of legislative duties. Above all, he knows that the greatest authority which a legislature wields in a democratic society is not its legal powers as contained in the Constitution, but its moral authority, as the conscience of the nation and protector of the sovereignty of the people. Thus members of the legislature must be men and women of high moral authority and integrity. He will not waver in his morals.
Otuekong Nse Essien has that uncanny ability to mesmerize all including ardent critics with the way and manner he tackles his official assignments with single-mindedness of purpose. Being a young man of outstanding courage, steely resolve and mission, Indo is at home with his multiple challenges which he takes in their strides. He is indeed a man whose life has been defined essentially by service to humanity and that really is the hallmark of good leadership.
The few lines I offer today is to celebrate growth and the indomitable spirit of the Akwa Ibom youth. For those who aim for the great heights, Otuekong Nse Essien is one of the few manuels to study about the pathway to success.
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