A'Ibom 2015 - Why Michael Okpo Onofiok should be our next Governor –IBDM founder, Obong Kendy Aduak

 Governor aspirant, Engr. Michael Okpo Onofiok

Obong Kendy Aduak, Ibom Big Deal Movement (IBDM) founder

 Obong Kendy Aduak is not new among people of Akwa Ibom State, both at home and in the Diaspora.

He was the Head of Logistic/Media of Okon Iyanam political campaign in 2012, now the Founder, Ibom Big Deal Movement (IBDM), a political campaign group for Chief Engr. Michael Okpo Onofiok, a Marine Expert who is vying for the governorship position in Akwa Ibom State comes 2015.

He exclusively spoke with IbomCelebs during IBDM’s monthly meeting in Lagos on why Akwa Ibom people should support Engr. Michael Onofiok to take over power from His Excellency, Chief Godswill Akpabio next year. 

His words: “Engr. Michael Okpo Onofiok is grassroots politician who has good pedigree, charisma with present antecedent as a man who has various academic and political achievements in Akwa Ibom State. This is the man that always gets closer to the grassroots youth of Akwa Ibom State irrespective of their political class.”

He further stated that: “among many of his manifestos is to bring back our industries that has been dead, invest much in our educational section and is also ready to invest much on our maritime industries, which involves the abandon inland waterways transportation, which will also help in increasing and boost our Internal Generating Revenue (IGR). I appeal to all the Akwa Ibomites to join hand with M.O.O. as his is fondly called by his admirer, to build a new Akwa Ibom State while we sustain the uncommon transformation beyond 2015 and more.”

Michael Okpo Onofiok, the visioner of the NEW DEAL belongs to this rare breed of human being.

Born on 27th August, 1966 to the prestigious Onofiok’s family of Eyo Uwe Village of Udung Uko Local Government Area, this seasoned nautical scientist and computers/information system Technologist, a real chip off the old block (his father was the first National Organizing Secretary of NCNC and later the Action Group while the mother Edak Onofiok was the women leader for Oron Federal Constituency Of  NPN and the frontrunner for the creation of the present Udung Uko Local Government Area) has stepped out to lead Akwa Ibom State into an era of unprecedented  transformation when the maritime sector, agriculture and industrialization shall take the front burner in the policy thrust of the state government.

Trained in the then Nautical College of Nigeria (now Maritime Academy) Oron, Michael proceeded to the United Kingdom and Egypt to get himself fully grounded in his chosen field in the Maritime sector which later took him to almost all the continents of the world where he witnessed economic and social growth pattern fashioned along the line of peculiar endowment of the different societies. This is why he believes that poor society is a society that is poorly managed.

In the course of his sojourn as marine navigator/Nautical scientist, Michael worked with the Nigerian National Shipping Line (NNSL) as the cadet officer (1990 – 1995), Meid Farms Terminal, Coxwain (1998) and Comsor Shipping England (1998 – 1999).

On coming back to Nigeria, Michael who also holds Higher Diploma Certificate in Computer and Information Technology, a Degree in Management Information System (MIS) and certificate in Computer Engineering from the Westminster College of Computing and Engineering London, majoring in Micro Computer Assembly and repairs saw himself being beckoned upon by familiar trait: Politics.

Chief Onofiok is a grassroots mobilizer per excellence with special bias for developmental programmes, innovation and transformation. Michael won an election in 2004 – 2007 to represent Udung Uko Ward 11 as a counselor, the only one on the platform of Alliance for Democracy (AD),  a feat in a predominantly PDP Local Government Area.

Since then, this happily married father of four has not looked back from pressing toward the mark of higher calling politically. He has been the state chairman of AD, 2006-2007, state campaign manager to PDP Governorship aspirants 2010, campaign coordinator to ACN Governorship candidate 2011, PPA Governorship candidate AKS in 2007. Labour Party House of Assembly candidate and presently this card carrying/financial member of the PDP is the state coordinator of Goodluck/Sambo Supporters’ Club.

Also, Michael Okpo Onofiok was recently appointed into the Advisory Board of the Presidential Mega Coalition Committee by President Goodluck Jonathan; a body made up of religious and traditional leaders empowered to seek for peace and reconciliation of aggrieved Nigerians.

As the good people of Akwa Abasi Ibom State await Friday May 29th, 2015 which is the terminal date for the apostle of ‘uncommon transformation’ Chief (Dr) Godswill Obot Akpabio to hand over the mantle of leadership as the Governor of our dear state. This tested Mariner and ICT wizard, information management expert and a security/safety instructor on the use of explosives and small arms, with in-depth knowledge in small/medium scale and cottage industry development, with strong bias for time and precision, whose ambition is driven by an overwhelming strong inspiration has stepped out to say like the biblical Isaiah ‘here am I, send me’ (Isaiah 6:8).

Michael Onofiok is presently the chairman of a business group involving in Construction/Civil works, Maritime and Marine Services, Importation/Distribution of goods and commodities.