By Asuquo Edem
Brigitte Nichole must have obviously had some persons in mind when she
clearly said “Never fail to appreciate someone who cares for you. Just
because they are always in your life to help in some way, never fail
to give thanks or recognition. To value someone or something too
lightly is a risk no one should take”.
Absolutely, men in the category of Arc Ezekiel Nya-Etok, popularly
called ‘Mr. Social Housing’ would not be left out when trying to
describe the above quote. A man who like a Prophet who is despised by
his people but celebrated by strangers, Arc Ezekiel Nya-Etok seems to
have been forgotten, even going by his numerous but modest
contributions to the development of our dear State Akwa Ibom. Born
over five decades ago precisely November 1, 1963 in Nsiak Town of Ikot
Ekpene Local Government Area and known nationally and globally as an
astute advocate of Social Housing for all, Arc Ezekiel Nya-Etok has
made indelible foot prints both in the housing sector and contributing
selflessly as an individual outside government to see to the
empowerment of numerous beneficiaries of his benevolence.
Earning meritorious recognitions both nationally and internationally
with his undoubted trademark in Housing Development having been in the
forefront of housing development, with devotion of over thirty (30)
years of his life to advocacy for 'Social Housing' -a housing delivery
that primarily targets and benefits No, Low, and Lower-middle income
earners, Arc Ezekiel Nya-Etoks name seems to have been relegated in
the State from the roll call of men and women who have created
imprints in the sands of time.
As an advocate of Social Governance, an ideology for the
transformation of Akwa Ibom state in all its facets, we would not also
be disputing the already known fact and obviously what we as a people
and State should be proud of too that Arc Ezekiel Nya-Etok happened to
be the first Nigeria to obtain the famous Shelter Afrique housing
facility for any State government in Nigeria after securing the buy-in
of the erstwhile Governor of Akwa Ibom state, Arc. (Obong) Victor
Attah to construct in the year 2000 in Uyo, a project that benefited
over 700 indigenes as contractors and engaging over 10,000 artisans,
labourers, suppliers, petty traders amongst other.
Many even mistook as a contract from government the beautification of
the popular Ibom Plaza with lightening and decorating in the Christmas
of year 2000, but it was rather the ingenuity of Arc Ezekiel Nya-Etok
who spared nothing in spending personal funds to get that done.
With the award of the Nigerian Housing Man of the Year Award 2014,
priding himself and indisputably so as one of the most decorated
Nigerians in the housing sector, having served on virtually every
housing committee at the federal level and also consulting for
different States of the Federation, ‘Mr. Social Housing’, a former
aspirant for the office of governor in 2007 sits as Principal Partner
of Novone Consult Limited is presently partnering with the Federal
Government of Nigeria to develop about 100 units of semi detached
bungalows in Uyo where infrastructures such as electricity, water and
well paved roads are provided with phase one completed.
In all these and more, what does he get from his State? No street
named after him, no recognition, no jobs, no appointments, just
nothing. Our people are quite known to sing praises and long sermons
at funerals, wont it be rather wise if we sing this man‘s praise who
has been a blessing to us as a State while alive? The time to act is
surely now!!
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