Thomas Abi Jr|14 November 2015|6:32am
Dear Honourable Minister Usani,
Honorable Minister, let me congratulate you on your appointment as the Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in a very robust and vibrant Ministry like the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.
Mr. Minister, Over the years you have contested elections for the Office of Governor of Cross River State but lost to the PDP. I want to believe that coming out to contest as Governor, you understand the problems of our people. I want you to also understand that your appointment as Minister is for the entire CRS and not for the APC. You emerged today as Minister because you are believed to be a man of integrity and a man who shares equal ideology with President Buhari. You were not given an opportunity to be Governor but today you are a Minister, you have a lot of daunting task ahead of you. You must wake up to the task and get working.
Mr. Minister, you are a pastor, and you preach in the name of Christ, and one of the teachings of Christ is love. Sir, you must show your people love. This is not the time to use federal might to fight against those who fought you. It is no time for vendetta but it is a time to work. The time is now to liberate your people. You must wake up fast.
The Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs has a lot of opportunities, Mr. Minister, please you have to empower young men. One of Mr. Presidents aim today is creating jobs. You have to employ Cross Riverians into the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs. You have to fix our people in key area of note. Let me remind you once again that you are not a Minister of the APC but a Minister for the Cross River People, you have to empower our people in the 18 Local Government Areas of the State. You have to bring Federal presence to our State, Sir. It is urgent and important you start now. Set your goals and achieve them in record time please Honorable Minister.
Honorable Minister, the main reason I have decided to write this desperate letter today is the due to the deplorable state of our roads, the Calabar-Ikom-Ogoja road, the Calabar-Itu road. Honorable Minister, you have to use your position to attract the Federal Government to fix our roads. You are aware that Mr. President tongued lashed the former PDP government over the road and promised to rehabilitate the road. Please scheme for the repairs of that road. The people of Cross River State would not forgive you if our road is left without been repaired. Please, do not be a sleeping Minister, we need you to show vibrancy, we need you to show that you are a man of content and character, we need you to show that you are incorruptible, impecable, strict, and a son who means well for his people.
Honorable Minister, you recall that when you were announced as a ministerial nominee, you gained a lot of support from our people. I also sent you a Congratulatory message, through your private mail box, which you acknowledged warmly. You have earned the love of our people. Please do not let us down.
Sir, let me say that the goodwill you garnered during your nomination should be a driving force. It should spur you to work. It should push you to make a difference. Show our people that you are vibrant, convince our people that you are ready to work by carrying our young men and women along, by creating a synergy with Governor Ayade. You need him, he needs you. Like I said earlier, you are not an APC minister but a Minister from Cross River State. Please you must work with the Governor, in order to liberate CRS from poverty, hunger, and unemployment.
Sir, I expect to see you in the days ahead to call on Governor Ayade, and all the federal legislators on ways on how the State can move forward. You must not listen to sycophants who are looking for a pot of pottage. Persons without shame and conscience. You must stand firm, you must be a man of action just like your principal President Buhari.
Honorable Minister, the burden and task you carry is heavy. Our people have so much hope in you. Do not let us down. Use your new office to emancipate our people. Bring projects from NDDC, develop our State. We need NDDC constructions, bore holes, solar street lights, health-care sponsored by NDDC, road projects, transport services assisted by NDDC, and many more. Please, do not disapoint us in the days ahead.
Please, you have to work with a team of vibrant young men and women from CRS, who are intelligent, savvy, diligent and have character. You must understand that you can not achieve success all alone. Please carry along our youths as you hit the ground running Honorable Minister.
Sir, you are now the leader of the CRS people at the national level, you must unite our people, you must hold a regular meeting for all sons and daughters of the State in key positions in the country on how the State can move forward. You are the link man between Cross River State and President Buhari, Sir, you have to play your card wisely and swiftly.
I urge you to make a difference in your new Ministry. Please re-brand the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs. If you show commitment and accountability it would open windows of opportunity for the Cross Riverians who are qualified to handle key positions in the Country.
I trust God has designed your appointment at this very crucial time for the greater good of our People.
Once again congratulations and I wish you continued good health and a wonderful tenure as Minister of the Federal Republic Of Nigeria.
Prince Thomas Abi Jr.
Is a Public Affairs Analyst/Social Commentator
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