Akwa Ibom… Rebranding a state with Dakkada campaign

As parts of efforts aimed at rebranding the state, the Akwa Ibom State Government led by Governor Udom Emmanuel has launched a new campaign dubbed Dakkada. The campaign is premised on a new spirit revolving around spiritual, moral, social, cultural and political ethos for its citizens.

Dakkada means Arise, which is a call to the citizens of the state on the need to rise above pettiness and move into greatness founded on good ethos. It is definitely about attitudinal cum mental reformation and economic regeneration. Recently, Governor Emmanuel set the tone of this new crusade at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, declaring, “We stand today at an intersection where a glorious past meets a hopeful future.”

And to reflect that the campaign is about positive attitudinal change, the state has been showcasing sons and daughters of the state who have been outstanding in their fields of endeavour through placing adverts in newspapers highlighting their achievements and laurels.

Emmanuel earlier set the tone of what to come when during his inaugural address on May 29, in his speech titled: Sustaining Superior Performance, said, “I place a demand on all Akwa Ibom people, at home and abroad, to come with hoes and shovels, and let us bury the twin evils of ethnicity and tribalism, which could slow us down in the race of development.”

He noted further,  “At the same time, let us sow the seeds of brotherhood, love and unity, which will energize us to maintain our current momentum and leadership position. Let us remember that with the spirit of brotherhood, love and unity, no foe can defeat us, and no rival can overtake us”.

In spite of daunting challenges, the governor is steadfast in his belief that a greater Akwa Ibom is possible, as such, he told the people, “As the Dakkada campaign starts the walls may not come down today, but from where the sun now stands, we will not retreat nor surrender until every wall comes tumbling down, and we step into the dreams of our forefathers.

The beauty of the sunset is a proof that the end of this our well thought out Dakkada Initiative shall be beautiful. We will march together and sing the Dakkada song, and live its creed. Inspired by the strong determination to consolidate on the gains of his predecessor, especially, the free and compulsory education, which has effectively eradicated the house help syndrome Akwa Ibom people were known for all over Nigeria, Governor Udom Emmanuel envisions an Akwa Ibom where her people will aspire to the highest echelons of scholarship, discovery, engineering, science and technology as indeed, all fields of human endeavour.

For the governor, two words are key. “The first is a solicitation to action, Arise! Then comes a positive prompting to shine, for your light has come. It is the right season, and under the watch of the right man for every Akwa Ibom person to arise, do something, excel, advance, improve, glow, take charge and reach the zenith in any chosen endeavour.

To shine also implies a moral rebirth. Nothing profane can shine. It takes virtue, goodness, resourcefulness, integrity and elegance to stand out from the crowd. The spirit of the new Akwa Ibom should be a bastion of moral fortitude -a specimen for excellence, virtuosity and character. That character speaks of expertise, professionalism, mastery, adaptability, strong aptitude for self improvement, artistry and dexterity in sundry skills.

The Dakkada call is a call to rise to the faith that with God, all things are possible; a call to rise to the faith that we can rise beyond biases, ethnicity, religion and gender; a call to rise to faith of our human and intellectual resources; to chart a new course for the present and future generations of Akwa Ibomites. Dakkada is a call on the people to rise to greatness, because that Akwa Ibom is destined to be great.

Governor Emmanuel has demonstrated leadership by example. He has Dakkada; he has been off to a flying start in putting the building blocks to reaching his goal. Within his first 100 days in office, Governor Emmanuel has activated the arise mantra. A five agenda programme constitutes the anchor of his Akwa Ibom rebirth project. Spelt out as, Wealth Creation; Economic and Political Inclusion; Poverty Alleviation; Infrastructural Consolidation and Expansion; and Job Creation.

To ensure that the Dakkada creed is imbibed by the people, the Governor began to challenge its people to learn it by heart. At the Independence Day celebrations in Uyo, he gave various prizes; cash and laptop computers to individual pupils and students, in addition to computer sets and cash for the installation of internet services in the secondary schools that participated in the recitation of the creed.

Then, at the grand finale of the Promise Hunt event organised by the Akwa Ibom Broadcasting Corporation, the Governor pulled a big surprise. He challenged any member of the audience to recite the creed. A bold and encouraging attempt by Ekaette Godwin, a nursery school teacher from Monef Kiddies School in Uyo, earned her a new car reward from the governor.

“Greatness is our individual and collective destiny, let us therefore, rise to the faith of our greatness!” the governor stated.