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| Engr Ben Akak |
1st December 2019
Cross River-based philanthropist has given insights into how youthful energy can be harnessed for positive consequences contrary to the negativity of restiveness which is the regrettable norm in the country NEGROIDHAVEN has confirmed.
Engineer Ben Akak pegged the responsibility of harnessing this youthful energy across the State on the traditional elders and political leaders. He added that the suggestion if implemented will address insecurity in the state.
Engr Akak said; ‘I also want to use this medium to speak specifically to all traditional and political leaders in Cross River State, good leadership is the ability to uphold peace and manage crisis, I believe if every traditional and political leader in our communities commits themselves to peace we would have less communal crisis to deal with
‘Naturally the youthful stage of life makes our young persons restive and energetic, they are full with vigour and strength, government and relevant bodies therefore, has the responsibility of assisting them especially those in rural areas to properly channel these energy towards productivity.
‘And when this is done, there will be a drastic decline in communal crisis and other security concerns. No reasonable person who is productivly engaged would want to be involved in any form of violence that will affect his source of livelihood’, he concluded.
President of Ben Akak Foundation, Engr Akak condemned with strong words the recently renewed communal clash between Ikot Offiong community in Odukpani local government area of Cross River State and Oku Iboku in Itu local government area of Akwa Ibom State that has led to further destruction of lives and properties.
The Philanthropist who over the years has been in the habit of gifting scholarships and grants to both students and budding entrepreneurs made the call while filing questions from the press shortly after visiting Ebom (another war turn zone in Cross River State) for the Funeral service of Late Chief Eta Enyi Ofem, father of Hon. Dr. Davies Etta, Abi lawmaker in the Cross River State House of Assembly.
The elegant and calm looking philanthropist said friendship and loyalty made him risk attending the burial despite rumors and stories of terrible things about the axis especially during war periods.
According to a source close to the philanthropist, Akak ‘used the occasion to call on stakeholders from the Bahumono extraction of Abi local government area to embrace peace and stop unnecessary bloodshed and destruction of properties, while also condemning with emphasis and strong words the recently renewed clash between Odukpani and Itu Local Government Area and the Ukelle, Okpoma, enyima, Obubra etc wars.
‘He noted that all the pockets of communal crisis scattered across the State won’t be of any help but rather cause backwardness and underdevelopment, emphasizing that no meaningful development will be attracted to such warring communities as no reasonable government or investor would want to risk investing in a war prone zone.’
Akak also called on all leaders across board to join hands in promoting the industrialization initiative of governor Ben Ayade, stating that the initiative will provide jobs as such keep the teeming youths productively busy as well as curb youth restiveness and communal crisis
Engr Ben Akak is a successful business and a full time lover of God whose passion for leadership is borne out of a deep desire for service and to add value to humanity.
