DEAR AKWA IBOMITES, STOP SPEAKING ILL ABOUT YOUR STATE KE MKPÒR AMA CHANGE

Peasy Udo-Akagha

About 30 years ago, i was born in the Land of Promise call Akwa Abasi Ibom State.
I grew up in three different towns of AkwaCross (Ikot Abasi, Calabar, and Eket).
Growing up in Eket (Afaha Eket) especially was eye-opening.
I grew up in the streets.

I saw families fighting each other because of trivial issues like House space, House ownership, Land etc.
Family querrels was a constant feature and used of abusive/Demeaning words on another person was the norm in the streets of Afaha Eket.

I grew up in the streets that thrived on hatred for extended family members.
Unnecessary strive and bitterness for one another.
But, the same streets that turned many Eket youths into touts, thugs/Cultists, School dropouts, etc, I made it out of that same streets into the world.

I made it out of bitterness and returned to show them LOVE.
Same Relations that were labeled as wicked/bad people were the same Relations that welcomed me into their homes and took me as theirs throughout my NYSC days and beyond.
Heard stories of who is bad and who is wicked, but same people, when I had dealings with, SHOWED ME LOVE ALL ROUND.
it caused me to sit and think;
WHY DO PEOPLE SPEAK ILL OF PEOPLE IN THEIR BACK?
I realized that it’s not that RICH PEOPLE WANT TO DISTANT THEMSELVES FROM COMMUNITY PEOPLE, but the truth is;
the mentality, reasoning pattern, and approach to issues is just not the same.
WHILE A SUCCESSFUL PERSON IS STRATEGIZING ON HOW TO BECOME MORE SUCCESSFUL, a POOR PERSON IS THINKING OF HOW TO BRING DOWN THE SUCCESSFUL PERSON. wow!
That’s the simple truth.
So while the Rich is trying to get Richer,
the poor is sitting down envying the Rich.
So what can the Rich do?
Distant his/her self from people of such backward/archaic mentality ofcause.
Now where am I going to? Follow me.

I grew up to hear a phrase;
Nditòr Akwa Ibom imagha Idem
This particular phrase has breaded so much hatred, strive, competition and the ‘Pull Down syndrome’ into Akwa Ibomites.
I grew up to hear terrible things about family members and other akwa ibom indigenes.
The state breaded So much HATE than LOVE.
I was challenged!
My mind was made up that this can’t continue in my time.
I was determined to change the Streets.
Change the Status quo of Akwa Ibomites.

I was determined to Change the mentality of the youths (Since they are the building blocks of a Nation).
I was just too determine to change the Narrative.
I was so determine and sure, that in my time, Akwa Ibom people shall be more united in Love and aim at uplifting each other.
Brethren, these has always been my burning desires and it burns so passionately.
2018, God brought a young boy with a vision same as mine.
He shared the vision with me, I looked into his eyes and saw same will and passion to change The MINDSET of the people.

Everyone he shared this vision with previously had always given him excuses just because they never believed Akwa Ibom and Akwa Ibomites can change for the better.
Ofcause why wouldn’t they think so when everyone was SELFISH, BITTER and JEALOUS of a Brother’s SUCCESS STORY.
But I, I saw the vision with him, it was clear and I knew what I wanted.
So it was the best offer to me and behold, that’s how ‘Save the Youths’ Conference with all it’s attractive features geared towards rebranding the Akwa Ibom youths into the 21st century world where everything thrives on
KNOWLEDGE and SMART THINKING was birth.
Ever since ‘Save the Youths’ Conference began, I’ve witnessed a great improvement and relationship level among youths of Eket and Akwa Ibom state in general.
Our thinking and mentality is also changing for good.

I see great sons and daughters of Akwa Ibom Striving hard in different industries to make name for themselves, and thereafter lift other akwa Ibomites into the business too.
A recent case study can be found in Chief Godswill Akpabio and just few days ago, Sen. Akpan James Udoedehe using his position in APC NWC to include a young girl by name ImaObong Uboh into the Ondo State Governorship screening panel.
this is so loving to me.

Along the line I know some still betray us, but what can we do, these betrayals are common among humans, so we don’t give up, but keep helping our fellow Akwa Ibomites rise to their fate of greatness.
In summary, my brethren, I make bold to affirm with the Special Assistant to Akwa Ibom State Governor on Social Reorientation that; Mkpòr Ama Change!
So let’s continue loving ourselves, fighting for ourselves, and standing for ourselves.
Akwa Ibomites be United ke truly, #MkporAmaChange
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