THE SUFFERINGS OF MY PEOPLE HAVE BIRTHED MY ASPIRATION … DR EMMANUEL NTATAM

Personality Interview

Dr Emmanuel Ntatam is a successful businessman and hails from Ikono LGA, Akwa Ibom State. In this interview, he spoke with Emmanuel Ukpong on his aspiration to lead Ikono people in the State’s House of Assembly, plans to work for the economic revival of Ikono LGA and other issues. Excerpts…

AS A SUCCESSFUL BUSSINESS MAN, WHAT INSPIRES YOUR DECISION TO ASPIRE FOR AN ELECTIVE POSITION TO REPRESENT IKONO IN THE STATE CONSTITUENCY?

The people inspired me, and I’m out to speak for them.
Ikono have been stagnated for so long in a dynamic world. The people suffer and cry in silence, their mandate is used against them. Their resources are utilized daily, yet, to their disservice. The youths have made the street their homes, because of joblessness. THEIR CRY GOES UP HOW LONG?. The sufferings of my people have birthed my aspiration, they deserve quality representation that will bring to fruition, better infrastructural development. They deserve human capacity development, they deserve quality education. Ikono people deserves better health care, they deserve quality empowerment, they deserve Dr Ntatam.

YOU WERE RECENTLY INDUCTED INTO “HALL OF FAME” BY IKONO/ INI MEDIA PROFESSIONAL GROUP, HOW WILL THAT HONOUR ACCORDED YOU, CREATE AN IMPACT IN YOUR INVOLVEMENT IN ECONOMIC WELL-BEING OF THE FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY?

O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust.. (1 Timothy 6:20).
The honour, to me, was a call to serve, because to whom much is given, excellence is expected. I will keep that which was committed to my trust. The honour has been made to serve as my reminder.
I’m reminded to implement the solutions discussed at the symposium.
I’m reminded to bring in investors to better utilize our resources for the greater benefits of my people.
I’m reminded to support, promote and project the agricultural and entrepreneurial sector in Ikono to an enviable standard.

IF EVENTUALLY YOU ARE ELECTED TO REPRESENT IKONO IN THE AKS CONSTITUENCY, HOW WILL YOUR REPRESENTATION DIFFER IN TERMS OF DIVIDENDS FROM YOUR PREDECESSORS?

My word is my bond, Ikono will be great again.
I will give Ikono people a quality and effective representation, one that will come with symbiotic relationship where I will be glad to sit on a round table and discuss the way forward with the people.
I have a 3 point agenda to offer, and of course evaluation will be made at the end of every year, to see our level of success.
1. The People’s fulfilment
2. The People’s Satisfaction
3. The People’s Happiness.
My aspiration is centered on the people, and I will ensure they enjoy the dividends of democracy to their satisfaction. As I ealier said, my people deserves better, they deserve quality education, they deserve human capacity development, they deserve better empowerment, quality infrastructural development, projection of talents to world-class standard, better health care, job Creation, expansion, growth, and industrialisation. My people deserve happiness. And as a successful business man, this is possible with me.
I will offer to accept the mandate of trust to manage the destiny of Ikono and bequeath greater legacies for the next generation.

AS A BUSINESSMAN? WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE TO THE FEDERAL GOVT ON HOW TO IMPROVE ON THE ECONOMY OF THE COUNTRY?

The government will, and can only do what they can, as the government. They can’t exceed their limit.
If they can deliver on their part, by ensuring that the needed amenities like constant power supply, good road network, etc, are in place, then, private sectors can also help improve the economic situation of the country by contributing immensely to its growth. They need these amenities to operate successfully and once there is expansion, there is employment. When also making policies, they should consider the masses, local businesses, small scale businesses etc,
Entrepreneurs should be encouraged, they are employers of labour too. Like business, the government needs quality management. Competency should be prioritized over compensation. Let the right person, handle the right portfolio. When we know what we are doing, we will arrive at where we are headed.

WHAT IS YOUR COMMENT ON THE LEADERSHIP OF GOV. UDOM EMMANUEL AND WHAT ARE THE AREAS YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADVICE HIM TO IMPROVE UPON IN HIS REMAINING MONTH IN GOVERNMENT?

His excellency Is a leader par excellence, he is doing well. He has maintained peace in the State by strategically handling insecurities.
Today the State governed by his excellency is a place where we can now sleep outside, inside the car, and anywhere. I sleep Peacefully at home without security, because I believe it’s only God that secures, it wasn’t so years back.
It is a tough period, and a time that needs absolute concentration, the governor needs to be focused in a time like this. God will guide him to transit successfully

AS ONE OF THE KEYNOTE SPEAKERS IN THE JUST CONCLUDED IKONO/INI ECONOMIC SYMPOSIUM, HOW WILL YOU AND OTHERS WORK FOR THE ECONOMIC REVIVAL OF THE FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY CONSIDERED AS THE FOOD BASKET OF THE STATE?

By strategically implementing proffered solutions to the problems that have crippled the economic growth of Ikono/Ini. Though the problems are enormous, they are not unsurmountable, it will only take a little time, but it will definitely be solved. While we are prepared to swing into action, the Media should preach the gospel of peace to our people so that the development, when brought in, can be sustained.

WHAT WILL BE YOUR ADVICE TO FELLOW POLITICIANS AND CONTESTANTS, CONSIDERING THE PENCHANT OF SOME OF THEM TO RESORT TO VIOLENT TO ACHIEVE THEIR AMBITION?

“I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.”(Ecclesiastes 9:11).
If it’s not your time, it’s needless resorting to violence, endangering innocent souls in the process. No matter how hard you struggle, power belongs to God. That’s the fact and nothing more pretentious.
Outside the political community, there is another community, we wouldn’t want to meet there as enemies, but friends. Let’s play safe, we are one.

PROFILE

DR NTATAM, EMMANUEL SUNDAY

Ntatam, Emmanuel Sunday is an inspiring, visionary and resilient leader with passion for entrepreneurship and community development. He leverages his rich experience in resource management, administration and leadership that spans the constitution sector across the different regions and cultures of the country in any capacity and assignments he is saddled with.

Ntatam is a seasoned finance professional with over three decades of professional experience in the extractive.and construction industry in reputable multinational industries across Africa and Europe and has held various positions like Procurement Manager, Senior Regional Coordinator and Financial Controller.

Ntatam hails from Osuk Ediene in Ikono Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from the prestigious Usmanu Damfodyo University, Sokoto, MBA from Lodoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Sound State, and PhD degree I Entrepreneurship from Business University of Costa Rica.

His distinctive career has won him the following:

1. Fellow of Association of National Accountants of Nigeria, (ANAN)
2. Fellow, The Institute of Management Consultants
3. Member, Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN)
4. Member, Chartered Institute of Forensic and Investigative Auditors of Nigeria (CIFIA)
5.
Member, Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN)
6. Fellow, Chartered Institute of Public Diplomacy and Management
7. Fellow, Chartered Professional Forensic Investigators, USA
8. Fellow, Chartered Institute of Digital Forensic and Cyber Crimes Analysts, USA
9. Honorary Doctorate degree (DBA) from Common Wealth University, London

He is a Chartered Tax practitioner/Business Development Consultant and he is currently the Chairman Tamseed, Nigeria Ltd

A prolific trainer, coach, business development expert and philanthropist, Ntatam steeped in community service and development right from his secondary school days which had exposed him to various responsibilities like the Sanitary Prefect, Secretary of the Yar’ Adua Group in Akwa Ibom State, External Auditor of the Akwa Ibom Community in Sokoto, etc.

An entrepreneur, who creates wealth through farming for our teaming unemployed youth in Akwa Ibom State and beyond with over 100 staff in it’s employment

Dr. Ntatam is a detribalized and widely travelled Nigerian who has lived and assimilated across the various geo-political zones of Nigeria.

He is happily married with children.