Prince Bassey Otu and the remodelled Monolith Roundabout by Victor Ita

Cities all over the world are modelled around a philosophy that speaks volumes about the sociocultural nature of the said people domiciled in the city.

It communicates the focus of the leadership of the said city and as well provide a climes of the mission and the vision of the leader(s)

Cities are modelled and remodelled from time to time.

Some remodelling are occasioned by a change in leadership, a cultural shift, and some form of tilt in how the city is perceived by both the inhabitants and visitors alike.

City remodelling is a change that must be accepted by all, for change is one of the constant that humanity must willingly or unwilling accept.

The Remodelled Zone 6 Roundabout in Calabar is nothing but one of such remodellings that shouldn’t attract the noise that it has so far attracted.

I certainly don’t not know the mind of the governor, or that of his advisers who did advise him on the change, but the truth is that the former structure at that same roundabout was not the over 3000 years old monoliths, that indeed has become one of the pride of those of us from the Cross River extraction; the structure was just a replica of the original structure, domiciled in the Alok community in Ikom LGA.

The purpose for mounting it there in Calabar was to attract tourists and the citizens to the original artefact.

Making the structure at the Zone 6 Roundabout is just a normal stone caving with zero value, with just esthetical value and nothing more.

Therefore, it is within the Governor’s right to further improve the esthetics of the state capital; either to communicate his vision or mission for the state or just a mere remodelling of key structures within the state capital for beautification purposes.

For a governor and an administration that prides itself with the People’s First mantra; the onus, therefore, is on the administration to willingly carry the people along in its day to day running of the affairs of state.

The people’s first entells constant interactions with the people, both critics and friends of the administration must be given a fair chance to seek to know what is happening.

I personally think that the best form of defence is not an attack in this case.

The handlers of the governors must seamlessly communicate with everyone without prejudices knowing that in politics, that one good turn deserves another.

Having in mind that their principal would certainly need both friends and foes, in not too distant future.

I can’t resist the temptation of not commenting on the now well-rested speakers’ Impeachment debacle,

What played out was an explosion of an impending implosion that lasted for almost 9 months, the situation was so bad that some members began questioning if, indeed, they left a lot behind to be elected as members; only to be treated as though they were mere appointees of government.

The ill-planned impeachment was a last resort that came after the realisation of themselves, as elected officials of government; fully recognised by the Constitution.

Sadly, their self-realisation lacked the much needed experience and top-notch sagacity to see the process through.

The 17 members displayed outright lack of thoroughness in every ramification.

That being said, let’s interrogate the solution. The solution lies only on two impeccable approaches, plus a gentleman agreement.

1. Ethical solution
2. Political solution

It is obvious that the governor went for political solutions, though it may seem great for him and the speaker; but I dare say that it comes with consequences.

But I trust the governor’s political capacity to bring all interest to a comfortable table that addresses all concerns.

The 17 aggrieved members are left with wounds that will take time to heal, but the speaker himself is also carrying a baggage of ethical exposure that might hunt him later in his political ambition.

Let me conclude by saying that the governor played a masterstroke game with the speaker’s impeachment saga, It was very indicative of him to see that the matter ended the way it did.

Let me close by congratulating the governor on the successful completion of his one year in office as the executive governor of Cross River State.

Your few achievements indicate a good management of the 118.8 billion naira the state got from FAAC for the year 2023.

Hon. Victor Ekpo Ita. Fhnr
A Broadcast Journalist
Writes from Lagos, Nigeria.