That is the title of an epochal media production by our firm, BUSH HOUSE NIGERIA. The idea was to capture, real time, on radio, television and online, what Akwaibomights all over the world thought their state governor, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, Ph.D., had achieved in two years. It targeted just 29 persons and was to run for 29 days. This was something clear-cut and straightforward, or so we thought.
We had chosen to use the two-arm state broadcasters, Akwa Ibom Broadcasting Corporation (AKBC), finalised arrangements with its management, led by Director General Imaobong Udo, and even picked a starstudded production (and presentation) crew. Alas, we could not set out on May 1, as planned. Approval for the state ministry of information collaboration that we had sought only came midnight of Sunday, May 4. That cleared the way for the debut on Monday, the 5th, and what a debut it was -with the state Honourable Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Umanah, as opening guest.
He signposted what was to come throughout the series. He spoke of a governor who had over-achieved in two years, across all sectors, across all demographics and across all of the 31 local government areas. He called on all those who would be privileged to appear on the show to frankly assess the governor, reasoning that will help government to do more. On the 29th when the governor turned two in office proper, the two-hour daily show played host to the man himself.
It was after that session, the only one to hold outside of the AKBC Transmission Headquarters at Ntak Inyang, that the extension decision was taken. The new terminal date for the series became June 30, the day that the administration hoped to round off its second anniversary commemorative inauguration of projects. As we make to close the chapter today, from 3.30pm, it is imperative to look back at the monumental value that we have added these past 57 days. Please forgive the immodesty.
The truth though, is that we are not sorry to say that this was a massive effort because, really, it was and would remain exactly that. The captivating videos are documented forever on Facebook, on which the programme transmitted live in addition to Radio Akwa Ibom 90.5 FM, Uyo and AKBC Television Channel 45, Uyo. In three days shy of two months, we brought together about 200 Akwa Ibom people, residents and friends, at home and abroad, as guests or panelists or both and gave them a platform that amplified their voice. It gives us great pride to report that about 180 came physically while the remaining 20 joined virtually from Abuja, Lagos, South Africa, the Americas, Europe, the Philippines, India, Saudi Arabia, Australia, name it.
We covered every ground, we covered everybody. From parents to children, from teachers to students, from leaders to followers. From captains of industry to small businesses, from chief execs to startups, from farmers to artisans. From big to small, from rich to poor, from professionals to amateurs.
Even the blind saw well enough to come along. Even the deaf heard well enough to come all the way. Even the lame walked well enough to arrive our studio. At the end, they all spoke and Gov. Umo Eno heard them; all of them.
It was relentless. Akwa Ibom people spoke, they criticised -or rather, they critiqued. In all, we thought they praised 90%, condemned 1% and suggested 9%. And, let it be said: from data that the people themselves provided, Gov. Umo Eno, Ph.D. is in trouble; big, big trouble.
We know that you are anxious to hear all of that. You know we know you. You love gist, too much. Before we break down that particular line for you though, let us first take you somewhere else with further statistics.
Minus the governor’s edition, this serial record-breaking media production ran for all of 122 hours! Remember, initially, it was to be 58 hours (that is, 29 x 2) and later it was to be 114, following the extension (that is, 57 x 2). Then, add at least eight hours to cover the four, five days that it overlapped and ran on and on! To be sure, whether it ran for two hours or more, every outing was a classic!
Furthermore, we must acknowledge the fact that we were greatly helped before and during the 57-day exercise. No doubt, such people deserve a special mention. Of course, number one on the list must be the number one himself. The series anchor, Itoro Columba, puts it in an evergreen succinct way: “If Gov. Umo Eno did not in two years give us enough to talk about, there won’t be this programme!”
Thank you, Your Excellency. Thank you, Info Boss, Rt Hon. Aniekan Umanah, for being a humble, honest, supportive, understanding and team player executive producer. Your permanent secretary, Akparawa James Edet, NPOM, as well as Director, Information, Aniekan Ukpong, and indeed every member of staff at the ministry of information helped this production in ways they themselves may not know. We love and appreciate the ministry for this collaboration, a first between our firm and any state government MDA ever!
Then, there is AKBC, our ever-receptive hosts. From the director general to Namso Enang, director of programmes (television) to series co-anchor, Mandu Essienobong, to studio hands (Esther ChrisBen (radio liaison), Sylvanus Akpan (series interpreter), Enobong Dan (series producer), Kenneth Otoyo (transmitter) and Samuel Okposin (graphics), fantastic people; all of them. Also unforgettable: Maryanne Andy (associate producer), Godstime Tom (tv director), Mfon John (floor manager), Uwem Aduak (graphics assistant) and cinematographers, Felix Anthony and Nnasia Etim among others. Others are Mkpese Dickson, Teddy Bassey, Iniobong Ukpe, Victoria Essien, Ubong Ekefre, Edidiong Umotong, Emmanuel Okon,
Emmanuel Udo and Imeobong Archibong: we thank you all for your resilience and trustworthiness.
Going forward, let us honour four government officials who helped us, financially, when there was nothing on the ground at all. They believed in us enough to contribute towards the preliminary fund required to hit the sky flying. Step out and take a bow, permanent secretary and accountant general, Pastor Uwem Sunday Andrew-Essien. You too, honourable commissioners, Dr. Offiong Offor (agriculture) and Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Henry Archibong (housing) and chairman, Oron local government, Hon. Okon Asuquo Enweme.
There were several others who, as the programme progressed, assisted greatly. Canada-based medic and philanthropist, Prof. Utipmfon Jimmy, whose foundation undertook a hundred percent to sponsor the N2 million cash prizes that we offered the first three winners of the Umo Eno @ 2 200-word essay competition. Federal Housing Authority’s Executive Director (Estate Services), Arc. Ezekiel Nya-Etok, Fan 001 of BUSH HOUSE NIGERIA, added another million, the first of about five times he flew into the state because of the programme. We thank them as well as Double “Prof.,” Dr Imoh Imoh-Ita, who facilitated the appearance and support of Prof. Nse Essien, vice chancellor of Akwa Ibom State University.
In this premier league also belong: Evang. (Engr) Albert Inyang, managing director/chief exec. of Bertola Machine-Tool Ltd. He flew in from Lagos at least twice to appear on the programme and spared no cost in support. Similarly, of the 31, only three local government chairmen came on the show. And, all three proved to be true Umo Eno all-round believers: Ibiono Ibom (Rt Hon. (Obong) Asuakak Umoh); Mkpat Enin (Hon. (Engr) Emmanuel Inyang) and the governor’s Nsit Ubium (Hon. Alfred Charles).
We plan to honour these men and women one of the Mondays of next month when the Itoro Columba-led 5-man planning committee stage our thankyou party. At that event, which will be transmitted live on radio, television and online, the plan is to present a gift signed by the governor to everyone who played a role or two. This is how things are done in saner climes and Akwa Ibom belongs in that class. The charity of our famed hospitality must begin at home.
Now, which and which highlights of the series are worthy of rehighlight? There are so so so many. One, Gov. Umo Eno’s attention to details and heart of gratitude. A few days after we interviewed him, he on his own insisted for the Information Commissioner to stand in for him and offer the panelists of the show a golden handshake one after the other.
By the way, panelists are people who sit in and ask questions on set during the programme. These young men and women have shown an uncanny sense of sacrifice and consistency. Take your flowers, Idongesit Nnah, Chukwu Agwu, Engr Emem Maurice, Etini Ekarika, Providence Essien. You too: Julius Ebrene, Daniel Ekpo, UbokAbasi Tom, Raphael Archibong, Ededet Nyong, and the list goes on.
The governor’s decision to honour them speaks volumes of his bottom-top governance approach. On behalf of the youngsters, this serves to thank him profusely. To this day, they gush over that treatment. It pushed them to do more, to be present more, and to love the programme more which ultimately rubbed off on the programme.
Another great highlight is how the many good people at AKBC do their work. Yes, the establishment which gave birth to me and many other professionals, is home to a few bad eggs (a few very, very, very irredeemable, bad eggs) who unfortunately have almost destroyed both its image and the infrastructure. But, AKBC has so many good people most of whom do magic at work. With bare hands, they perform wonders that even BBC and CNN left in the same situation would not!
And, these good ones never seek any form of gratification. Most of them work too hard you can never ever guess they are on no salary and in fact that for years they have not received even the pittance called monthly allowance. For their sake, yours sincerely is dedicating the next three years to volunteer for AKBC. The glory days must return!
Another worthy highlight must be the quality and character of an alarming majority of the guests. From Sen. Aloysius Etok, Ph.D, to Sen. Emmanuel Ibokessien to Sen. Effiong Bob to Prof. Peter Esuh to Elder Effiong Essien to Elder Paul Bassey to Chief James Iniama to Archbishop (Dr) Udeme Simon to Sir Charles Udoh, KSJ Int’l to Comrade Ini Ememobong to Akparawa James Edet, NPOM, to Adede Aniekpeno Tom Mkpanang to Ulap Bright Solotion to Rt Hon. (Elder) Mark Esset: they all came when they said they would and they all added untold value. A quartet of ladies also dazzled us twice in the course of the show: the first, some young CEO’s and just recently, some students from Merilebon High School, Uyo. Please, leave that matter, Akwa Ibom is over-peopled by quality!
Semi-finally, we cannot end this entry sans discussing the inevitable role played by series anchor, Itoro Columba. On and off air, he is the go-to partner, the manager-in-chief, the exchequer with whom you can go to sleep. Because the reward for hard work and reliability is more and more responsibilities, our two media firms -BUSH HOUSE NIGERIA and The Bridge- must seek ways of future partnerships. In the meantime, dear former chairman of Ikono local government, please accept the appreciation of all of us in The BUSH Clan for who you are!
Finally, as we prepare to call it a day, let us fix the only remaining loose ends. How and why did this programme come to the conclusion that Gov. Umo Eno, Ph.D. is in big, big trouble? Well, from all that the guests said about the last two years, one wonders how the governor can sustain such giddy tempo let alone beat it. Whether his new political family, All Progressives Congress, shall be as talismanic to Pastor Eno, as People’s Democratic Party was, is something this writer is desperate to commentate on.
God bless Akwa Ibom state of Nigeria!
Editor’s note: There shall be more servings in this space on this topic.