MY EASTER MESSAGE

Fellow compatriots of Akwa Ibom State,
This period of Easter brings one auspicious moment for sober reflection and a candid re-appraisal of our roles in shaping the history of our people and that of the world. It is especially a time to deeply assess our contributions in the foot steps of Jesus Christ and how it has positively impacted our world with a view to changing the destinies of fellowmen and re-order society for more positive values by placing it on a prosperous and progressive path.
Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ, walked the earth in flesh and blood about two thousand and ten years ago. His works as recorded in the prophets and New Testament writings were basically captured in his self acclamation of the prophecy about himself:

The spirit of the Lord is upon me,
Because He has anointed me
To preach the gospel to the poor,
He has sent me to heal the broken hearted.
To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord;

Christ came to a world afflicted by the same social upheavals and the problems we as a people are facing today.
He brought the message of redemption and offered himself as the atoning bridge between God and man.


He preached peace and was critical of the hypocrisy resplendent among Jewish institutions and authorities. He made the poor his friends, brought comfort to the heart-broken, set to freedom those held by the bounds of societal social injustice. Gave sight to the blind and illuminated the hearts of those that were held in the darkness of false teachings. He judged righteously for every oppressed of society and gave the people new lease of hope through the re-birth of society.
Since the coming of Christ into the world, the completion of his ministry's tenure on earth, his execution by the Roman authorities, His ascension to Heaven no society having confronted his teaching has been or ever remained the same.
Empires have crumbled, thrones have tumbled, Governments have changed, tyrannies have been defeated, but the only thing that is yet to be delimited is the expansion of the frontiers of Christ's philosophy and his teachings.
It is in this circumstance, that while men through history have risen at one time or the other to shape the growth of human history and contribute to influence the world in many remarkable ways; the world and at each period, have consistently acknowledged these men, whose personality have offered her a better leadership and a direction deeply characterized by passion beyond the evil options provided by tanks and guns and swords and bullets. This which was from the beginning of the world has always left it a degree more insecure and sadder than when we met it.
It is because the leaders of today's world have failed to imbibe the role of Christ by coming together for us to build the bridges of peace and at the time be ready to make profound sacrifices for the greatest good and common benefit of all; it is the reason the birth and Easter message of Christ is lost on the world.
But, perhaps our society can rebuild a new, by recapitulating on the necessity for peace, for unity and for a brotherhood of purpose that will leave our state and society a much better place.
In our today's society, people are attempting to depart from the paths of peace and lay in our paths the choice of war and insecurity. I make bold to condemn these steps that have left us in a crucible of avoidable rancor. Let's learn to impact the amazing mind of Christ which guarantees enduring peace. If you select the paths of love, with it we can achieve some extraordinary results; save the people from despair, from hopelessness, from fear, from insecurity and a life of strife.
We can assuage the grieves of our people whose embittered but once useful lives have put our society on the cross roads of agony and avoidable lethargy. Together, we can turn our unhappy society, into a happy one and eradicate abnormal eventualities that can best deliver a great majority of our people from hateful bondage and give robust social and economic health to our society. We can do it; yes we can, if we remove the ever present suspicions existing among us.
It is against the grain of this reality that I make bold to exercise the power of love to speak and offend a syndrome which is not honest in the pursuit of a faith to give the people not only what they want but what they critically deserve the lifting and placing them beyond the cruel economic and social circumstances which they don't deserve to belong, because they deserve more.
Speaking against the background of Christ's philosophy, fellow compatriots, I use this opportunity to promise you a new lease of life a new hope, a refreshing and a life quite invigorated.
Looking at our solemn realities as a dear state and people today, I recall how I had conscientiously made myself acquainted with political and economic circumstances of other countries, with a firm determination to impact such models on my people.
I am determined, imbued with an insight and very courageous to lead you with the fear of God. I am never known to be ambitious to power but have over the years worked hard to impute in myself a sense of patriotism that has not only made me a successful figure within the global sphere, but popular enough to take our people to the expected levels of civilized governance. I am conscious of our present situation, conscious of our wealth. I am conscious of the opportunity that has offered itself and together we can seize on it to impress our visions to the chagrin of other states and people.
Against the present spate of hostilities, I have a remarkable reputation, which if you as a people can believe in, I will bring myself into a work I find very crucial and its overall engagement very important to prosper a tolerable society full of neighborliness and a strong sense of brotherhood.
The decision I now call upon you to make can easily affect the welfare of our state and impact it on the international world. I come to it imploring unity and peace, love and brotherhood. It is essential that for Christ's work to be totally balanced in our midst, I view it as our duty to come together and usher into this state a leadership that will eliminate any cause of worry that may interfere negatively with the usefulness of all of us bound in a productive drive to grow and progress our dear Akwa Ibom State.

It is evident that I am the man. I have so much assurance and self confidence that we can be so quick to attain what we should be if we are decided to cast our lot with our very agenda and prosper our society through love and peace.
There is a wide debate on the station of our present state of affairs which not only our people and our nation, but the world has been looking forward to with the gravest concern. The people can afford to decide on a change in their politics which will vitally affect the future prosperity of the land; and we can make the moment historic, by turning the spiritual instrument of this Easter into strong prayers for a change of our tomorrow.
I believe we will do it now, thinking of the coming change of which I am prepared to offer myself for greater services.
I come to you today preaching love, unshakable faith and hope in the new things to come. But we need a unity of purpose to make this come true.
Come, let's unite as one and together we can succeed and ensure of a better future for our State, our youths and our children. Spread the message of love and not hate.
May God bless you all with the redeeming blood of Christ at Calvary.
Have a sober, reflective and Christ-filled Easter.



Engr. Ini Ekong Udonwa
Governorship Aspirant Akwa Ibom State 2011