Former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Obong Victor Attah, has been described as a visionary leader and democrat who has made remarkable contributions to national unity and consolidation of democracy in Nigeria.
Former Minister of Information and Communications, Mr. Labaran Maku, who gave the description of Obong Attah, ahead of the plans for the unveiling of Attah`s biography to mark his 87th birthday.
The book titled, “Attah: Architect of a New Democratic Dawn”, is authored by Dr. Dele Shobowale, a columnist with the Vanguard newspapers, Lagos.
Maku, who is the Chairman of the Publicity Sub-committee for the event which has been scheduled to take place at the Nigerian Air Force Club, Jahi District, Abuja, describing him as the father of resource control whose dogged efforts yielded the 13 percent derivation which oil-bearing States and communities enjoy today under the country`s constitution.
He also said that Attah was a meticulous and focused leader who laid the foundation of Akwa Ibom`s greatness.
Maku, who stated these at a meeting of the Central Planning Committee, presided over by the former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Power in the former President Jonathan administration, Ambassador Godknows Igali, paid glowing tributes to Attah.
According to him; “Governor Victor Attah is a man of conviction who remains unwavering in the pursuit of justice and equity.
“At the 1994 National Constitutional Conference, he led the struggle for resource control and his efforts led to the provision of 13 percent derivation for oil-producing States and communities in Nigeria.
“As the Chairman of Nigerian Governors` Forum at the inception of the Fourth Republic, he made major contributions towards the stabilization of the polity and consolidation of our nascent democracy,” he said.
Maku expressed optimism that many prominent political and business leaders would be in attendance at the event to honour Governor Attah.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Central Planning Committee, Ambassador Igali described Attah as a compassionate and charismatic leader whose life has been a source of inspiration to the people of Niger Delta.
Igali noted that Attah is a towering political figure who laid the foundation of modern Akwa Ibom State.
Igali disclosed that former President Goodluck Jonathan would be the Chairman of the event while President Tinubu who was a member of the Class of 1999 Governors like Attah is expected as the Special Guest of Honour.
