Nothing Inspired Followers Like Being Inspired by Their Leaders

Nothing Inspired Followers Like Being Inspired by Their Leaders

By Ubong Creativity David

On July 7, 2021, the present Secretary to State Government of Akwa Ibom State, Prince Enobong Uwah made a post selecting 80 youths in the state, saying that he is proud of all of them. Though he put a caveat that the list is more but Facebook only granted him permission to post the 80. His post reads:

“A vibrant generation… Facebook only allowed 80 pics. I’m proud of y’all!.

Today, I was having a discussion with someone this morning and I reminisced on the benevolence of the SSG on my birthday. That courtesy took my mind back to his post of July 7, 2021 which I went back to the post and read the comments that followed.

Many of the comments that followed the post commended the Champion of Uyo Politics for the recognition. Two really captured my fancy. One from the present Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ekem Emmanuel John which is inspiring while the other is from Ephraim Ikpe, a more prophetic pronouncement.

Dr. Ekem comment reads:

“If your inspirational LEADER whom you have always admired decides to put you in his list of Akwa Ibom’s vibrant young people, how are you supposed to react?

“Well, when Dr Yubby Clifford drew my attention to this post, it felt like I just won a scholarship to the UK.

“Indeed it is a privilege and a honour to be recognised by one of the pioneers and excellent examples of youthful leadership.

“Sir Enobong Hammer Uwah I do not take this for granted. Thank you so very much. God bless you for shining your light to brighten our path.

I don’t know the position Dr. Ekem was occupying when Prince Uwah made the post, but today, Dr. Ekem position as Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Health is more than the feeling then of winning a United Kingdom scholarship.

On the other hand, Ephraim Ikpe reaction justified he saw the future ahead of some of us who reacted on the post. I am reposting His comment unedited. It reads:

“I just woke up by past 4am this morning from a dream of a big event. In that dream I saw myself playing the role of a CSO to you the Champion of Uyo. I finally ended up in a bedroom where you went into bed and advised that you want to report to office by 9am and that by 8am I should wake you up. I ensured that your phone was well kept by you and the duvet covered you well. Thereafter I stepped aside and got disconnected. I never knew it was a dream. I don’t even know what that dream stands for. But to my surprise, as I put on my phone minutes later, and rummage the Facebook space, this is the first post I see done by Otuekong Enobong Hammer Uwah who I was in the dream with. What a coincidence? I commend you my leader and brother for celebrating the growing Akwa Ibom generation of tomorrow’s brain box of a State named after God and after His Heart. God bless you.”

It will be recalled that when Prince Uwah made the post in 2021, he was occupying an office as Chairman, Uyo Capital City Development Authority, UCCDA but today, he is occupying a very sensitive office as Secretary to State Government, SSG. Did Ephraim Ikpe see the future ahead of us? Your guess is as good as mine. I don’t know where Ephraim Ikpe is today? Whether he is still serving as the CSO to the Champion of Uyo, find himself in his bedroom and asked to wake him up as succinctly captured in his dream? Which ever is the case, I am very convinced that dreams do come true. What Ephraim saw in his dream is a manifestation of today’s reality.

Imagine that the Champion of Uyo didn’t inspired people like Ephraim Ikpe and others, do you think he would have even sleep in the first place, how much more dreaming of his rising politically. Your guess is as good as mine.

I am saying all that to say this: When leaders recognize the effort of their followers, it inspire growth, success and excellence. Many of the people Prince Uwah posted four years ago and occupying one office or another. That recognition energized them and many are lifted beyond their expectations. Whenever leaders recognize genuine efforts of followers, success follows.