Public protest brings national leadership change, economic resource distribution for citizenry — Prof. Onwioduokit
By Dennis Udoma – Udoma, Uyo
A university don in the Department of Economics, University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Prof. Emmanuel Onwioduokit has said that, any public protest whether social or economic by citizens of any nation of the world results in the economic resource distribution for the improvement of living.
Onwioduokit, who gave an elective view on the theme, “Protest Matters: Effect of Economic Redistribution” organised by the Prof. Akpan Hogan Ekpo Centre for Public Policy in honour of the renowned economist and former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Uyo on Monday at the main campus, Nwaniba said, “protest is good and bad” but if not protest, there would be no meaningful development in the society.
According to him, “Protest led to the economic distribution of resources in our society.”
He further described protest as a universal language that is not limited to only Nigeria adding that, the United Nations report of 2017 revealed that 10 of world’s 19 most unequal countries measured on income distribution were found in Sub-Saharan Africa, with concerns such as income inequality, economic marginalization and other highly contentious issues proving as remote causes.
Prof. Onwioduokit also maintained that, public protests have contributed to a change in national leadership in countries such as; South Africa, Angola, Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Sudan etc, over the past few years arising from political inertia, concentrated political powers and undue influences.
In Nigeria, he said protests are propelled by several factors such as poverty, unemployment, marginalisation, insecurity, police brutality (End SARS), institutional failures, obnoxious policies and non-implementation of agreements by the governments amongst others.
While particularly observing the rapidly growing impact of internet and citizens journalism through the use of technology in the Sub-Saharan Africa in facilitating the spread of information (public discontent) within and across borders, urged Nigerian politicians and leaders to always address issues affecting the masses of the people to avert crisis.
Governor Umo Eno, who was represented at the occasion by the former Environment/Solid Minerals Commissioner, Sir Charles Udoh commended the initiative of the centre in honouring the celebrant, Prof. Akpan Ekpo with the lecture he described as incisive and thought provoking.
He said, Prof. Ekpo’s contributions to national development and the global scene have impacted enormously to the growth of public policy.
Governor Eno pledged to the completion of the centre project to continue evolving public policies for the common good of the people.
Also the celebrant, Prof. Akpan Hogan Ekpo expressed delight for the honour done him by the centre and promised to continue in his relentless commitment to serve the state and the nation meaningfully and to the development of knowledge for the emancipation of the people.
Akpan Hogan Ekpo Centre for Public Policy, it would be recalled, was established in 2016 after the approval by the University of Uyo Governing Council to among other things; upscale the skills/knowledge required in relevant areas of public policy; optimise the synergy between public/private officials in the implementation of public policy; raise awareness on Social issues such as; poverty, inequality/gender, remain relevant to the university community and the environs; be proactive in ensuring that public servants in the country are exposed to the current state of the art in terms of public policy theory and practice and conduct public policy dialogue on relevant and topical issues affecting national and global policy space.
Former Governor Arc. (Obong) Victor Attah, Oku Ibom Ibibio, His Eminence (Ntenyin) Solomon Etuk, Prof. Ebebe Ukpong, UNIUYO ASUU chair-person, Dr. Happiness Uduk, Prof. Comfort Ekpo and the immediate past Chairman, Ibom Airport Development Company, Dr. Iniobong Essien presented their goodwill messages to the event.
