Uno Eno: Understanding concept of change

By Solomon Essiet

If there is a phrase I love so much growing up with a strong personal decision to make it in life, considering my very humble background, then it is these three words, “Nothing just happens”. Yes! Nothing just happened, someone must have paid the price for the good life you are living today.

To some of us, it is the name that we bear that opens unlimited doors for us, again, someone labored to create that name. Some names are so significant that even if a Million families bear the same name, the moment such a name is mentioned, all everyone can remember is a particular family. Names such as Abiola, Obasanjo, Babangida, Adeleke, Akpabio, Yaradua, Udom, Umo Eno, and Tinubu, fall into that category.

These names are by themselves some kind of currency, someone once told me that the Late Moshood Abiola, the acclaimed winner of the 1993 Presidential Election in Nigeria, was so rich and influential that he could write just a note on a plain sheet for someone to withdraw some cash at the counter, just like writing on a checkbook. Yet, he worked so hard to achieve that level of prominence for himself and his generation.

Long after Obafemi Awolowo passed on, the family left behind is still living in elegance and accorded due recognition, at least for what he did for the Yoruba race.

We must know that leaders are often misconstrued. Most of the leaders celebrated today in our nation never took a familiar path, yet arrived at a successful end. It will always take a long time for people to come to terms with most of the things they did, and why they did it.

Akwa Ibom State must endeavor not to crucify Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, for the decision that he has taken to link Akwa Ibom State to the center. For me, that is one of the best decisions that the Governor has taken in his two years of administration.

According to the Governor, we have started reaping the benefits of the very decision. Some of us will not understand fully until we are denied access to a high-powered gathering. God help you, you were the one that cooked the food that the big men were eating, yet you were not considered worthy to wine and dine with them due to your color, race, or beliefs.

A few days ago, I was in a class where one of my lecturers deliberated on the benefit realized from two political parties coming together to sit at an event, celebrate, eat, relate and banter together.

He said, such has never happened in Akwa Ibom State, at least since he understood the meaning of politics and the way it was played in Akwa Ibom State. He specifically mentioned that in a particular event over the weekend, he saw the Party Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and that of the All Progressive Congress (APC), sitting together in an event under, the same roof and there was no sign of trouble whatsoever. He then realized how hard the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, must have labored to achieve that. According to him, he nodded in satisfaction that indeed change is the only constant thing.

My lecture paused a beat and later told us the negative impact suffered by members of various political parties in Akwa Ibom State, just for choosing to belong to a particular political party. He said that he has lost count of the number of businesses that have closed down for lack of patronage, just for the sin of belonging to some political parties. Same with Churches, Schools, Hotels, and maybe filling stations, who knows? Because if you own a petrol station in Uyo and the big guys are not patronizing you, some of who are politicians that have the cars, then the business may have just died a natural death.

Akwa Ibom people must deliberately learn how to live together as one. We have stayed apart for so long a time. Governor Eno, with his ministry of reconciliation, has reconciled everyone back to the fold. We must rise to support him in this fight for the unity of our people.

Where there is no unity, love and oneness, we find it very hard to attract anything serious from the Federal Government. A typical example would be that, while one faction is struggling to get the President to sign off Ibom Deep Seaport for us, another faction is asking the President to come and develop a Palm Oil Plantation.

The moment that happened, a leader who may not have been interested in assisting the State, might just have an excuse, claiming lack of an agreement among the leaders as the major problem. Then the people continue to suffer. Follow the person who knows the way, and forget about how many years of experience you have in politics. It is God that dethrones and enthrone men. In His time, He makes all things beautiful.

In the remaining lines of this article, I will endeavor to examine change-related issues and ways of navigating through them. Most especially, as we continue to align with the current realities facing us as a State.

Change is inherently complex, dynamic, and multifaceted, impacting organizations and individuals in profound ways. Change is not a singular event but an ongoing process that can be both disruptive and transformative. Understanding the different facets of change is crucial for effectively navigating its challenges and opportunities.

An attempt has been made to break down the complex nature of change. Change is not a one-time event but a continuous process of adaptation and evolution. Organizations and individuals are constantly adjusting to new circumstances, technologies, and market demands.

Change affects various aspects of an organization, including its structure, processes, culture, and employee behavior. It’s not just about implementing a new system; it’s about reshaping the entire organization to align with new realities.

Change often disrupts the established status quo, leading to uncertainty and potential resistance. It can challenge existing power structures, workflows, and even individual identities. Talking about structures, both the leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, that have successfully moved to the All Progressive Congress, APC, and those from the APC, must be willing to work together as one. That is one of the best ways we can attract development to our State.

The specific nature of change is shaped by the unique context of each organization or individual. Be it political or business organization. What works in one situation may not be effective in another. This is the main reason we must be patient with one another and follow through the process.

Change is often driven by strategic considerations, such as the need to improve performance, adapt to market trends, or achieve a competitive advantage. For instance, our principal purpose for now as members of the All Progressive Congress, APC, should be how we can win the next Presidential Election, in 2027 for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, return Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, to the Senate, to continue as the Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and support Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, to win his second term in office as the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, and continue the beautiful work he is doing in Akwa Ibom State through the ARISE Agenda, the blueprint of the golden era administration.

Change is dynamic, just like politics itself. Change is rarely linear or predictable. Unexpected events, unforeseen challenges, and evolving circumstances can significantly alter the course of change initiatives. I remember consulting one of the political leaders from my Local Government Area, in Ikot Ekpene when I sought to become the Chairman of my Local Government Area in 2024. After we presented everything happily, the man said that one thing he forgot to inform me is that politics is dynamic. I paid rapt attention to his words.

He told me that as I consult widely, I should also have at the back of my mind that anything can happen. Such words comforted me when I did not get the Chairmanship ticket eventually.

Successfully navigating change requires the ability to adapt to new situations, learn from experiences, and adjust strategies as needed. As it is peculiar in our situation in Akwa Ibom State presently, every one of us who moved from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the All Progressive Congress, APC, may not become the political leaders in APC immediately, but that does not mean that it cannot happen tomorrow. All we need is to learn how to work together.

Change can be planned or unplanned, proactive or reactive, and can be driven by various factors, including leadership decisions, market forces, or internal pressures. As it stands, the State Government has clarified severally that the decision to link Akwa Ibom State to the center is born out of an enlightened State interest. This is enough for everyone to follow up on the current situation with faith and trust in the leadership, knowing fully well that the leaders have made the right decision for the State as it were.

Change can lead to the decline or obsolescence of existing systems, processes, or even entire organizations. It can also be a catalyst for innovation, renewal, and growth. Yes, in this period of transition, it is normal for some positions to change hands. It is a part of the change itself and like I said in the opening part of this article, nothing just happens. Let us give change a chance. Some people were long overdue for change, yet no way to bring change. Let the changes occur in peace.

Change management involves planning, implementing, and supporting the changes needed to achieve desired outcomes while minimizing disruptions and maximizing employee engagement.
In essence, the complex nature of change highlights the need for adaptability, strategic thinking, and effective management to navigate the challenges and leverage the opportunities that change presents. My prayer is that at the end of the day, all the parties involved in this change process are settled amicably for our continuous peaceful coexistence.

Arise, that same God.

Pastor Solomon Essiet, ACIA
Writing from Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area, the Raffia City.