By Idongesit Ashameri
Special Correspondent, Uyo
The Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Noble Lady Valerie Ebe, has applauded the self-sacrificing spirit of Governor Godswill Akpabio as shown in the rapid transformation through visible, touchable and life-changing projects.
Ebe who said thïs in an exclusive interview with Daily Independent expressed satisfaction that Akpabio, unlike some of his contemporaries in other states actually sank in the money accruing to the state to development.
“His selfless spirit really touches my heart because most leaders think first about themselves, families and the savings they have overseas, stressing, they don’t think about what they should really sink into the land they govern, when money comes. “There are Leaders who take this money; some would hide it somewhere outside the country; but my principal sinks the money back into the state. That is why you see all the developments, people coming from within and outside Nigeria to say that Akwa Ibom State has an uncommon transformation. “He does uncommon work for the state and as a result of that, God’s blessing comes to the state”.
To succeed as deputy governor working with a selfless governor like Akpabio therefore, Ebe pledged continued support to the administration she is part of by encouraging the governor’s innovations and programmes in addition to mobilizing women to pray for the success of the present administration.
“When you work closely with your principal, understand his problems, move alone with him, and try make him succeed, you become very successful. But when you speak from both sides of your mouth and don’t really support the person who asked you to be his deputy, you will never succeed. I feel I’m succeeding because I support my Governor and I try to make him succeed because if he does not succeed I cannot consider myself as successful because good leadership begets good followership.
“If you are not a good follower, you cannot be a good leader. You learn from what you see your principal do, most of the good things thát he does and you make him succeed in those things; you will surely succeed as a follower. And eventually, you will imbibe those good qualities that are in him; you are studying what he is doing and you are also trying to lend a helping hand in those good things that he does”
“Most importantly, you are not jealous of him because it seems other deputies quarrel with their principals, they don’t move along well and as such they stop half-way. I don’t believe I will stop halfway because I really believe in the person I am working with and each day I pray for his success.”
Ebe therefore advised the people of Akwa Ibom to appreciate the governor, the government and what the governor is doing.
The post Akpabio is a selfless leader, says Ebe appeared first on Daily Independent, Nigerian Newspaper.