“It is expected that based on the implementation of the Vision 20:2020 Economic Blueprint, which again goes to the root of resource management, the nation’s GDP should be growing at about 14 per cent per annum from 2010 to 2020, to realize this vision.

Very big thank you for touching on today’s youth and attitude to education. Some parents even arrange expo and bribe for invigilators to make their wards pass school certificate and JAMB. We are indeed doomed.

“If you are looking for trouble, you’ve come to the right place” Notice on the wall of a tavern in Kansas City in the days of the Wild Wild West in the America c1760.

Mr President, just in case your administration proves to be forgetful of recent history, let me remind you of something I wrote last March, on mindless violence, and what followed. Another anniversary is round the corner- just 13 days away as a matter of fact.

One of the few lessons I learnt in my early years in the United States was the popular saying that “Politics ends at the border”. Once the US was engaged in hostilities with another country, every patriotic citizen of America was expected to stand solidly behind the President and Commander-in-Chief, C-I-C, of the armed forces. It is my strong belief that America started losing wars when that solid defence broke down.

I once wrote an article in defence of Attah during his first term when he came under attack for two decisions that were destined to have lasting impact on the economic and social lives of the people of Akwa Ibom State. The first was his decision to invest in ECONET Wireless shares and the second was the construction of Ibom Plaza.

The presido of Area boys is going home – victim of arthritis which has rendered the right arm almost useless. After serious consideration regarding what needs to be done before I can no longer write anything, it suddenly occurred to me that I have been neglecting my duty to my closest politician brother, mentor, adviser and friend – Obong Victor Attah. Let me discharge it now because another chance might not present itself unless the doctors can find a breakthrough. As it is, this column, which ordinarily should be finished in three hours or less will now consume eight hours of declining time. But it will be eight hours well-spent as my late father taught me in 1957.