Governors in the Niger Delta have been asked to declare every November 20 as a work-free day in commemoration of the selfless fight of the former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Obong Victor Attah for the abolition of the onshore-offshore dichotomy.
A senior lecturer at the Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua, Dr Udeme Nana who led the advocacy alongside other Academics during the 2024 Uyo Book Colloquium in honour of Victor Attah at 86, said the 13% derivation funds, states in the Niger Delta are enjoying today wouldn’t have come into reality if not the insistence and fight of Obong Attah with the Federal government that later led to his victory.
According to him, “We are calling on states in the Niger Delta Region to declare a work-free day on November 20th to celebrate Obong Attah for fighting and winning the war for the payment of 13 % derivation funds to them without the onshore-offshore dichotomy.
“Without his consistent, bold and resilient advocacies for derivation, the governments in the Niger Delta region, the Nine states would not have been enjoying the billions that had accrued into their accounts. He did not waiver or sail out, therefore he should be honoured.”
Nana also urged the government at all levels to balance appointments by bringing in both experienced technocrats and the younger or inexperienced ones to work side by side saying that such would harmonize the formulation of good policies and successful execution of people-oriented programmes.
“We challenge our present government at the local, state and federal level to try to balance appointments by bringing in experienced hands to work side with younger people who lack experience, it’s such converge that can help formulation of policies and implementation of successful programmes,” he said.
Nana who likened Attah to the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Premier of Western Regional Government in the 50s for his visionary contributions to the development of Akwa Ibom State, urged governments to borrow a leaf from the visionary leadership style of the duo to surmount the challenges rocking the country as a whole.
In his address, the Keynote Speaker, Prof Sunday Akpan described Attah as a selfless leader and called for the devolution of powers and absolute independence of the three arms of government to serve as a watchdog in tackling corruption.
Prof. Akpan said in view of the prevailing tendency towards abuse of power and impunity among some politicians, there was a need for the adoption of Obong Attah’s model of the Inter-Ministerial Direct Labour Co-ordinating Committee, IMDLCC, as an administrative device for checks and balances and pursuit of good governance
He added that where necessary, adaptations could be made for projects earmarked for the judiciary, legislative even local government authorities to be Jointly implemented with the Executive committee for effective checks and balances.
Responding, Dr Eno Attah who represented Obong Attah at the event appreciated the organizers of the programme and the guest for the honour done the former governor and urged younger ones to always live their dreams and emulate great leaders like Attah.
Attah @86: Niger Delta governors urged to declare November 20 as work free day