By Isonguyo Iniodu

No matter what Gen. Ibrahim Babangida might have done during his eight years reign as the military Head of State of this great country, Akwa Ibom people will not forget him in a hurry and will continue to hold him in high esteem, if not for any other thing, but for creating the land of promise, Akwa Abasi Ibom State for us on 23rd September, 1987.
Since its creation about 21 years ago, the state has recorded tremendous progress and growth in sectors of the economy and when the present administration came into power, much has been achieved, judging by the popular in the state, “Akwa Ibom Ado Ok”. The big question is, is Akwa Ibom State really Okay? What are the things that are needed or required to make a state Okay?
Do we have good roads, how many industries do we have to create job opportunities for our people? Are our graduates gainfully employed? What about electricity, pipe-borne water? Are our hospitals properly equipped? These are some of the things we need to consider before passing the judgment that Akwa Ibom State is Okay. If I want to take on some of the above questions one by one, I would say that the present administration has tried in the area of road construction and rehabilitation. In fact, since the creation of the state about 21 years ago, we have never had it so good in the area of road construction.
Kudos must be given to the state governor for bringing in expatriates and renowned construction firms to handle our roads.
A typical example is the Afaha Obong-Etim Ekpo Urua Inyang road which had been abandoned by the previous administrations in the state and the road was not motorable. Thanks to the present administration which has brought hope and put smiles on the faces of the people by constructing the road, which on completion would boost the economy of the area. The present administration must also be commended for the free and compulsory education from primary to senior secondary level. With the present arrangement, parents would have themselves to blame for not sending their children to school. The administration has also tackled the issue of school rehabilitation through the inter-ministerial Direct Labour project. But are these enough to say that the state is okay?
Another question is, who thought out the ado ok initiative, is he an ordinary person in the society or somebody that is enjoying the government, how many common people or Okada men are using the sticker “Akwa Ibom Ado Ok to really prove that the slogan is generally acceptable by the people. If you go out on the street and sample of opinion the masses, you would know their reaction about the slogan.
Though it is not possible for any government to satisfy everybody but there are still areas that need to be addressed because so many of our graduates are unemployed, some are “Okada” to earn their living. Some people can not even afford one square meal a day, while those that are saying “Akwa Ibom Ado Ok” are driving flashy cars, jeeps and eating fat from the people's money.
There is no denying the fact that the present administration within its first one year has set a record and has surpassed the previous administrations in the areas of road construction, sports development, free and compulsory education etc, but we should stop this sycophancy and support the present administration to do more, instead of saying that the state is Okay when many people are languishing in abject poverty.
In all honesty, Akwa Ibom Is Ok initiative is an indirect way of closing our doors to developments and opportunities. After all, he who is okay, does not lack again and he is absolutely satisfied materially, financially etc. It is high time we stopped deceiving ourselves and faced reality. If we join hands and support the government and draw their attention to where they are lacking, I believe that the state would be a better place for all of us to live.