OFONIME UMANAH
Those who did not know you from your days as a student at the Western Annang Secondary Commercial School, WASCO, Ukanafun, in the late 80s, or as a young recharge card retail seller in a mini shop at Ikot Akpa Nkuk, in the same local government, will not understand your phenomenal metamorphosis.
At that time, nobody had thought that from the sale of recharge cards, you would move on to become a major player in the telecom business in the entire Akwa Ibom State and beyond. The size of your miniature shop did not suggest that you were on a journey to a sparkling business revolution that was to be the envy of many in your state. From that little make-shift shop, you moved to Uyo, your state capital, to register a footprint in an industry that was known to be the exclusive preserve of the rich and the powerful.
Within a twinkling of an eye, your Idems Ultimate, had become a household name. Your office on Abak Road, Uyo, was soon to become a trade centre for upcoming telecommunication giants who desired to make money through the sale of recharge cards. There, business met passion. You had become an elixir, showing hundreds of people how to eke out a decent living through the sale of recharge cards.
Soon, you moved into banking and you were doing well. Your bank made it possible for many young businesses to source soft loans. In no time, you had become a big name in the state. You had rummaged oddities in the business world, standing like the rock of Gibraltar and making a difference. Then you moved to Port Harcourt, growing and glowing in business.
From business, you moved into politics, with eyes on the House of Representatives seat reserved for Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency. Before then, people hardly knew about previous occupants of that seat. The first time the television cameras beamed on one of the then occupants of the seat while on the floor of the National Assembly, the people celebrated, that they had seen the face of their son on television. It was a talking point for months. Not because the man made any contribution to a motion, or that he sponsored a bill or a motion. No. They were happy that after about four years on the seat, the television camera could pick his face. Of course he was asleep at the time. But the people were happy that he was alive, and in the hallowed chamber, at least.
You got to the same seat in 2019 with some panache and an intention be different. You sponsored bills. You moved motions. Gradually, you put the Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency on the world map, making it as visible as the roads and other projects you attracted to the constituency. You paid so much attention to the empowerment of your people, building ICT centres, providing educational support to students and attracting classroom blocks to the area. You did all with grace, yet as humble as ever.
Because you served well during your first term, your people renewed your mandate, in a rare stamp of approval for a job well done. Two years into your second term, you have served with anger, hunger and passion.
Now, your governor calls you The China Man, not because you were born in China, or because you deal on made in China products. Not at all. You earned the name because you have sent close to 100 of your constituents to China to be trained in various fields of endeavour. You have facilitated the employment of hundreds of your constituents in various federal government agencies.
Last month, you undertook what was described as the mother of all empowerments, the first in the country, when you made 1000 millionaires from each family in your constituency. For the first time in the history of Ukanafun, a sitting vice president visited the village called Ikot Udo Obobo. It is on record that the visit remians the first and the last to any village East of the Niger, by a sitting vice president. You made it happen.
But a few years ago, you were a common recharge card seller in the same locality, doing your own thing and looking up to God. At your instance, night life in your village has taken a turn for the better, because of the solar street lights you attracted. The children are happy with you. The youths are happy with you. The women are happy with you. The elders are equally exhilarated. The political class is happy with you. Even your alma mata-WASCO, is happy with you because of the classroom and administrative blocks you attracted there, as well as the solar street lights, the ICT centre you built, and the road you constructed, which also leads to the biggest market in your local government. Even, your governor is proud of you and your representation. He talks about this always.
You have won all awards there is to win from all parts of the country, because of the quality of service to your constituency and elsewhere. You have become one of the most impactful members of Nigeria’s House of Representatives. Your colleagues are even envious of your achievements.
You were born on January 14, 1975, in Usung Atiat, Ukanafun Local Government Area and hold a B.Sc. in Business Management, an M.Sc. in Business Administration from the University of Uyo, and a PhD in Leadership. You also have certifications from institutions in Ghana, India, China, the United Kingdom, the United States, South Africa, and Nigeria.
Your name is Unyime Josiah Idem and today is your birthday.
