FOURTEEN years back, Nigeria had a chequered history of governance. About 13 rulers rather than leaders have at different periods remote-controlled and swaggered the compass of the nation from the Sahara to the coast.

The aftermath had been years of pendulum commands, staggered policies and corruption. In the circumstances of apathy, the nation and its people went through the valleys and mountains of confusion, segregation, marginalisation, imprisonment, torture and killings. Perhaps, the cost of sacking the colonial masters appear not as high as the cost of achieving unbroken civil governance in the last 14 years.

The reality of that came to bear on Akwa Ibomites in 2007 as they, with prayers and tears, entrusted their fate in the hands of Chief Godswill Akpabio. Six years later, on May 29, 2013, they reassessed the situation and in joy, thanked God for their fortunes, so far.

It was at an interdenominational service held at Ibom hall grounds. Thousands of Akwa Ibom people at home and the diaspora gathered to acknowledge God’s hand in Akpabio’s leadership. For them, it was not just a celebration of good governance but qualitative leadership.

The fact that Akpabio has not just been internationally acknowledged as a people-focused leader but one who has ensured good governance, has given the nation hope in democracy. For many, even in opposition, that is enough reason for them to celebrate.

It was a happy day indeed in Akwa Ibom State. The bright weather and the songs of jubilation overshadowed the tears of the military years. It was the celebration of the six years of uncommon transformation. Obviously, Akwa Ibom State has cause to celebrate in a grand style.

The people in 2007 dared the principalities and powers of governance. They took the destiny in their hands, sought for additional independence and successfully enthroned a government of the people, for the people by the people.

Down memory lane, Akpabio said: “We began an unlikely experiment to find out whether God still rules in the affairs of mankind and whether His will can serve as a compass in the journey of a people”.

The process of uncommon transformation has remained ongoing. From roads that link communities, urban renewal and beautifications, tourism regeneration and the overhauling of transportation systems, Akpabio has created a new Akwa Ibom State. This is the state described as a destination of choice.

In very clear perspectives, to the deaf, the blind, the opposition and the doubting Thomases, the blessings of the six years of uncommon transformation in Akwa Ibom are nothing short of a big surprise.

He has invested in education more than any governor before him in Akwa Ibom State. Challenged by the ignorance and poverty that had once ravaged the land and affected the psyche of the people, Akpabio is changing the fortune of his people through education.

Similarly, the e-Library, the gas plant, the Ibom International Airport, the prisons built and handed over to the Federal Government; the construction of over ten buildings within the University of Uyo, a federal institution; the various contributions – structural and financial – to the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, UUTH, another federal body, all aid in rebuilding Nigeria.”

To boost the economy, Akpabio has entered into negotiations with the Federal Government to build a deep sea port.

The approval for commencement of work has been endorsed, as construction of water breakers commences soon as part of the state government proposal of an industrial city project. It is estimated that it would boost positively the economy of the State, Nigeria and the entire Gulf of Guinea.

Recently, as part of the Democracy Day commemoration, the Akpabio administration signed a management agreement with the Hilton Worldwide Group for the supervision of tourism and hospitality service of the Tropicana Entertainment Centre.

In that agreement, the Hilton Worldwide Group, a brand in global hospitality service, has arrived to start the Uyo Hilton Gardens. At the Gardens, a wet and dry park, a world-class conference centre cineplex, a galleria and shopping mall.

Moreover, the state has completed the 191 mega-matt power plant, a gas processing plant, completed the phase one of the international airport, empowered 4500 women, undertaken construction of over 305 roads with fly-over bridges. The list is endless: from sports, agriculture, security and workers welfare. No section is left behind. The cause for celebration becomes clearly justified.

In the committed efforts of Akpabio, the good people of Nigeria have nicknamed him an uncommon transformer. But to Akpabio: “Akwa Ibom people are more than transformers…for whatever we have achieved we did for you”. The real aspect of the Akwa Ibom State celebration of the 14th Democracy Day and the six years of uncommon transformation is that the destiny of people can change where the people believe in God.

The rest of Nigerians have a duty to ensure that the example of true leadership set by Akpabio is replicated in their respective states. That way, Nigeria will change and regain its position as a giant of Africa. We can do it together.

Mr.  USEN AKPAN, a journalist, wrote from Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

BY EVELYN USMAN &  DAUD OLATUNJI
ABEOKUTA — The Ogun State Police Command, yesterday, said Dr. Babawale Joshua, who was accused of mutilating  the corpse of a 13-month-old baby who died in his hospital, had denied his involvement.

The  Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, for the state, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, who spoke with Vanguard on phone, yesterday, said  four suspects had so far been arrested by the command.

The police said parts of the boy’s corpse mutilated included his eyes, tongue, lips, ears, private part, nails, the left hand and veins.

The hospital

According to the PPRO, the doctor will put up his defence on the matter.

The PPRO said: “The matter has been transferred to the State CID. The doctor said when the boy died  in his hospital, his corpse was taken away by the  parents.

“He also said the corpse was  later brought  back to the hospital for the death certificate but the nurse they met did not know the baby’s body had been mutilated. He said the baby’s corpse was mutilated by his parents that took it away. That was his defence  which he will put up tomorrow.”

Four suspects arrested

Meantime, the  state Police Command, Sunday, said  it arrested four suspects including Dr. Joshua, the owner of Ajike Medical Centre at  Sango Ota in  Ogun State.

The PPRO in a  statement said three others picked up were Oguntunde Opeyemi, Olaide Adeyanju and Temitope Muraina. They were arrested in connection  with  the case of mutilation of the corpse.

The Police  said: “The 13-month-old baby, Kingsley Ole, who was Mr. Obinna Ole’s son, had been on admission at the hospital for an ailment before he eventually gave up the ghost at 7.30pm on Saturday, in the said hospital.

“The story became astonishing when the father, Mr. Obinna Ole, went to claim the corpse of his late baby and discovered that the eyes, tongue, lips, ears, the private part, nails and the left hand veins had been removed.

“The Policemen attached to Ota Division, led by the DPO, CSP Gabriel Dibie, moved to the scene and arrested the suspects. The corpse of the late baby has been deposited at the Ifo General Hospital for autopsy.

“The Commissioner of Police, Ogun State, CP Ikemefuna Okoye, has ordered the SCID  Eleweran to take over the case for thorough investigation and has assured the general public of doing the needful to bring the culprits to book.”

He is lying —Father

In a sharp reaction to Dr Oguntunde’s claim that the corpse was taken away and brought back to the hospital, father of the dead child, Mr Obinna Oleh said: “I did not take my baby’s corpse away. The doctor is lying. It is merely a ploy to deceive the police in their investigation.

“When I got to the hospital and discovered our son was dead, I wrapped him with a cloth, kept him on the bed, after which I left.  How is it possible for me to take the corpse and return it?

“From our findings, we discovered that people have been dying in that hospital; pregnant women and babies in particular.”

He, however, expressed regrets over his decision to take his baby to the hospital. This, he explained, was as a result of the unbearable temperature the baby developed at about 4 a.m.

He said: “We decided to rush him to the hospital because it was the only one around and also not to take chances.”

He, therefore, called on the Police to carry out a post-mortem report on the baby to ascertain the cause of his death, alleging that  his death could have been caused by the hospital.

By Bose Adelaja

Contrary to media reports that no fewer than 150 shops were gutted by the fire that occurred yesterday at Trinity Spare Parts market at Olodi Apapa area of Lagos State, both the Federal and State Fire Services have said only fifty-five shops were affected by the inferno.

Speaking with Vanguard Monday,  in Lagos, Director Lagos State Fire Services Mr. Razaq Fadipe and his federal counterpart Mr. Ganiyu Olayiwola said the fire services received a distress call as soon as the inferno was noticed and the fire was completely put off under one hour.

According to Fadipe, the distress call came around 3.24pm and fire fighters from Sari-Iganmu, Isolo and a team of Julius Berger construction company were able to put off the fire under an hour.

”There was no way 150 shops would have been affected because we tried our best to prevent the inferno from escalating. As soon as we received the distress call, our men from Sari-Iganmu arrived the scene with 10,000 litres of water before they called for a reinforcement from Isolo after which Julius Berger construction company sent some litres of water and we have surplus water to work with,”

Fadipe called on Nigerians especially traders to avoid storing flammable and inflammable materials together, ” In every market, there should be a good parking or storing system, I mean segmentation, for instance, if you want to store tyres, let it be on one side and other items on another side. If there is a fire outbreak, this makes it easy for owners of the goods to salvage non inflammable items. Also, items should not be stored close to the roof to avoid heat which can cause an outbreak. When you are living your work place, ensure all electrical appliances are disconnected from power supply.”

Corroborating Fadipe’s view, Olayiwola said the fire affected 2 sections of the plaza and about 55 shops were affected in all.