Akwa Ibom Anniversary: When grace speaks

“Grace” is an English word, as well as a name borne predominantly and almost exclusively by females.
“Grace” translated into Igbo language is ‘Amara’, and into Ibibio, is ‘Mfon’.
One of my very big friends; who is also a financial guru; a man who has impacted my life profoundly; and who I reserve great respect for, told me of his days as a marketer in the bank.
He told me of how in his marketing team, he would always send in his card in wanting to see a prospective client (depositor).
These were the days when banks would send out their staff and give them targets to bring in as deposits; and so even when the head of the team was there, my friend would always send in his card.
The reason he did this was that most Nigerian men are often obsessed with female bankers who are usually carefully selected on the basis of their physical attributes.
Beauty, a curvaceous figure, poise, and other alluring characteristics were then, definitely high on the list of prerequisites for female bank marketers.
So, when an all-male team of marketers would be ushered in to see a prospective client, you would literally see the confusion and disappointment in the eyes of the client, who would have been scanning for Amara.
While some clients would keep quiet, others would ask: “So who is Amara?”

When my friend would stand up and identify himself as Amara, some would ‘take shame and swallow poison’, so as not to give out their amorous inclinations; while others would not be as kind and polite.
There were a few, who my friend said would actually walk them out; but more often than not, he said he had the real meaning of his name ‘Grace’ standing up for him.
In such instances, a certain charm would envelope the room and the discussions would elicit hearty laughter, and he would almost certainly walk away, satisfied at having concluded a good deal.
In this little story, we’ve addressed two things. The first is the word ‘Grace’ as a name; and the second is the word ‘Grace’ as to its meaning, especially within the context of the Christian faith.
“Grace” incidentally has a twin sister called “Mercy”.
Sometimes it is very difficult to distinguish between identical twins except where they are not very identical or where one or both of them have marks or features that could be used to distinguish them.
But then, there are some who are really very difficult to distinguish between, except by those who have been with them for a very long time.

I’ve often found myself being lost as to where to draw a line between ‘Mercy’ and ‘Grace’.
However, in my little knowledge, I’ve come to see ‘Mercy’ as having features of forgiveness.
In this, ‘Mercy’ says no to the end that you do not get the punishment you legally deserve.
On the other hand, ‘Grace’ brings to you the things that you probably don’t legally deserve.
In simple terms, while ‘Mercy’ takes away the punishment you deserve, ‘Grace’ brings you the goodies that you more often than not, do not deserve.
That’s my little expose on ‘Grace’; and now, to touch on the twin sister ‘Mercy’.

A while back I was returning from Abuja and sat with a big uncle, a Senior Advocate, ,who represents one of the people I had petitioned.
We talked generally as friends and brothers, about Sports, Religion, and issues of national interest.
Just before we parted, I jocularly said: “My SAN, you know my case is about grace”. He had a hearty laugh and rhetorically asked: “… and who does not have grace?” It ended on that light- hearted note.
Not long after, as I mounted the witness box for the first time in my almost sixty years on earth, he looked at me; chuckled merrily; and said to another Senior Advocate who sat beside him: “He says his case is about grace. Let’s see how grace will save him today”.
It was supposed to be a whisper, but probably on account of the closeness of the Witness Box to where he sat, I heard it as loud as though he had shouted it.
As he stood up immediately thereafter to address me, something came up that took another 10 minutes of his time.
During that period, I had a seeming inner volcanic eruption and found myself talking to God, and saying: “Father did you hear that?”; “Father did you hear that?”; “It’s not about me; it’s about You”. “He is not challenging me”. “He is challenging You”. “Father, let Grace speak for me”.
I was there for close to three hours, being drilled by at the very least, six Senior Advocates and very experienced legal luminaries representing virtually all the major Parties.
As to if Grace rose up to the occasion to speak for me, the jury was out there. I have not been that humbled in my life, because I needed no man to tell me that Grace spoke loud and clear.
Just before the elections, I believed I had done substantially enough to put up a very decent showing; but the results came almost as an anticlimax.
We could not sit still, but went in search of our sacred votes; and the journey took us to the Tribunal.
When our case was dismissed, ‘Grace’ spoke again, and we proceeded to the Appeal Court. For reasons of expediency, details will have to wait.

That said, ‘Grace’ spoke again at the Appeal Court, and we won our prayer to have our case relisted and heard on merit. Ever since then, ‘Grace’ has been speaking.
At an appropriate time, certain details will expose how ‘Grace’ decided to take this matter personal.
At (virtually) every campaign gathering, something happened that not a few took notice of.
It happened when I gathered the 48 Village Heads in Ikot Ekpene (except those of about 3 villages).
It happened when ‘Grace’ gathered all the 8 Paramount Rulers in Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District for me to have an exclusive chat with.
But it was when I gathered all the Village Heads (not Clan Heads) in Oro Nation, that the reaction literally startled me.
What usually happened was that somewhere along the line, I would pull off my shoes, march on the bare sand and speak to the heavens.
To the young ones, it was a show; but to the elderly, as in this case before the Village Heads in Oro Nation, it was something very, very serious.
One of them was so scared that he literally shouted at me: “Don’t do that! Don’t do that!”… but I looked at him and said “It is okay, Sir”.
I told him that I knew fully what I was doing, and that at almost sixty years of age, I was not a child.
What I would say effectively was: “Father if my intention as you see my heart, is not to serve this State with all my heart, stand on my way and be my adversary.
But if my intention is to serve this State in a way that nobody probably has, then stand up and speak for me. Against all odds, Speak for me”.
I would almost always end with: “BUT if there is anyone that will work for this State; that loves this State more than I do, and will work for this State more than I would, then Father may that person be the next Governor of our dear State”.
I believe that this should be the prayer of all the contestants.
In conclusion, as we proceed with the Tribunal which will almost definitely lead to appeals by all Parties and end at the Supreme Court, I believe that every well-meaning son and daughter of this land should take her or his eyes off ‘Party’ or ‘personality’; but rather, concentrate on ‘Grace’.
‘Grace’ to speak up for the poor people of this State; ‘Grace’ to speak up for the elderly, ‘Grace’ to speak up for the workers, for the students; and for the children; to the end that only the counsel of God should stand in this State.
That notwithstanding the resources or the lack of it, ‘Grace’ should speak to the end that the people of Akwa Ibom State have the ultimate good deal.
Let me end with a story in the Bible of a certain Prophets concern.

One man said: “Men and Brethren, let’s not waste our time concerning this matter. If it is of God, it will stand”. By implication, no man can stop it; but if it is not of God, sooner or later it would be gone with the wind.
My case is that matter. As ‘Grace’ speaks for the people of Akwa Ibom State, if I am that person, the oil will ultimately rest on my forehead; so rather than waste energy on analysis, let us seek and pray that ‘Grace’ would speak for the people of Akwa Ibom State.
By this, you acknowledge God as the one that sets up Kingdoms; and sets up and brings down Kings.
Anything to the contrary is arrogating to yourself or the system, the power that is the exclusive preserve of the Governor of the Universe, who sustains all things by the word of His power; the Creator of the ends of the world, upon whose shoulders the government rests.
As we celebrate the anniversary of our dear State, Let ‘Grace’ speak (Selah)!

Not any of these candidates: not NYA-ETOK, not UMO ENO, Not BASSEY ALBERT, not AKAN UDOFIA, not UDOEDEGHE, But AKWA IBOM that must be the ultimate WINNER!
The journey is still far. No matter who is favored at the tribunal, the Appeal Court still waits. Even after that, the Supreme Court will likely be the final resting point for the Governorship race.
Finally, and to reemphasize what I have just said, don’t be a slave to party spirit, let your prayer be that ANY of the above names that God knows will be the person that will work the most, be the ultimate governor of our state. If that person, as God knows, is Gov Umo Eno, no NYA- ETOK can remove him. If, on the other hand, NYA-ETOK is that person, all the power of state will become helpless!!!

God, have your perfect way in our State.

Happy Anniversary!!!!!

Arc NYA-ETOK Ezekiel.