Senator Helen Esuene is the only female out of 27 persons presently engaged in the Akwa Ibom governorship contest.

In this interaction, the Senator insists that the time has come for a feminine touch in the governance of Akwa-Ibom State. Excerpts:

By Tom Moses

HOW is the contest going?

My supporters and I had in the past 18 months walked the walk and talked the talk. My campaign train has gone to the nooks and crannies of this state and has interfaced with men, women, youths, elders, groups and our traditional fathers all in a bid to interact with them and communicate my intention  and the vision that I carry for the good people of Akwa-Ibom State; God’s own state.

How do you assess the past leaders of the state?

Akwa-Ibom State since its creation on September 23, 1987, has witnessed nine governors, three of whom were democratically elected. This land has at various times been code-named, the “Land of Promise, “The Land of fulfilment and currently, “The Land of Uncommon Transformation”. All the governors from the military era to date, have contributed their quota to the realization of what we have today since governance is continuous.

What would be the blueprint of your administration?

Senator Helen Esuene

The focus of my administration shall be to create an enabling environment where the people, our greatest resource shall thrive and where justice and peace shall reign. These are fundamental ingredients for sustainable development. Safety and security of lives and property being the flip side of peace, will also receive attention.

My administration shall operate on a-three point agenda of wealth-creation, qualitative education and functional health-care delivery. A holistic human capital development will be on the front-burner of my government with immediate medium and long-term touch. Hard work, creativity and entrepreneurship will be encouraged and appreciated while government will partner with key operators in the various economic sectors to develop our innate natural potentials for the creation of wealth and food security

Society cannot make a meaningful progress without a solid educational system. Our children and youths shall be given qualitative education which shall embrace teachers’ training and retraining, improved school facilities and learning environment. We shall also include in our school curriculum at all levels, relevant training to restore our core values in the areas of self-discipline, patriotism, respect for elders and the female gender.

It is said that a healthy workforce is a happy workforce. The third point on the agenda will centre on health-care delivery especially at the primary level. It is instructive to note that if we get our primary health-care right that our maternal and infant mortality rate will reduce. This primary tier health-care delivery is the one that is easily accessible to the common man. My administration will put in place a health-care delivery policy and system that is inter-connected and functional at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels

How do you feel being the only woman in the governorship race?

The time is now to have a feminine touch in the governance of Akwa-Ibom State. It is only fair that after 27 years of existence that Akwa-Ibom people should give a woman the chance to be their servant-leader. I have been tested and have not been found wanting in carriage and delivery in the various public offices that I have held. The Bible says that “He that is faithful in small things is also faithful in much”, Luke 16:10.

I shall manage your funds judiciously. I shall run an inclusive government where men, women, youths, elders, the professionals as well as the traditional institution shall be active players.

I am therefore appealing to all Akwa-Ibom sons and daughters to give me a chance to run a true democratic government, a government of the people, by the people and for the people. Give me the opportunity to give power back to the people.