President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, and Senate President Godswill Akpabio are among the dignitaries expected to attend the 87th birthday celebration and biography launch of former Akwa Ibom State governor, Obong Victor Attah.
Speaking at a press conference in Uyo over the weekend, a member of the Central Planning Committee and former media adviser to Attah, Dr. Udeme Nana, announced that the event is scheduled to take place in Abuja on Thursday, November 20.
He revealed that former President Jonathan will chair the occasion, while President Tinubu and Senator Akpabio will serve as Special Guest of Honour and Guest of Honour, respectively. The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, will be the Chief Host, and the publisher of Vanguard Newspaper, Sam Amuka, will unveil the biography.
“Today, I formally announce, on behalf of the Central Planning Committee, the launch of the biography of His Excellency, Architect Obong Victor Attah, who, by the grace of God, will turn 87 on Thursday, November 20,” Nana said. “On that date, he will officially present his biography titled Attah: Architect of a New Democratic Dawn.”
Nana praised Attah for his unwavering advocacy for democracy, true fiscal federalism, resource control, and the payment of derivation to mineral-bearing communities, describing him as a fearless champion of good governance.
Calling him “the best president Nigeria never had,” Nana noted that Attah remains mentally alert and intellectually vibrant at 87, emphasizing that his contributions played a vital role in shaping Akwa Ibom’s development trajectory.
“Obong Attah has been the most consistent advocate for democracy, true federalism, and fiscal federalism which includes resource control and derivation for mineral-bearing communities,” he said. “Every state in Nigeria has minerals, and his advocacy is not limited to oil-producing states. If Nigeria exploits gold or any mineral in any state, the people of that state deserve the constitutionally guaranteed 13% derivation.”
Nana also stressed Attah’s insistence that communities hosting mineral resources should play a central role in their exploration and exploitation. “It should not be a case where outsiders fly in, extract resources, and leave the environment degraded to the detriment of the local population,” he added.
Reflecting on Attah’s visionary leadership, Nana lamented the non-completion of major developmental projects he initiated including the Ibom Science and Technology Park, the Ibom Deep Seaport, and the Ibom Airport nearly 18 years after he left office.
Discussing the missed opportunities from the abandoned Ibom Science Park, he said, “Imagine how developed Akwa Ibom would have been if the Ibom Science Park had been completed. Today’s global economy is driven by technology. Attah awarded scholarships to many Akwa Ibom students to study core science and technology courses abroad. Many of them are now in Canada because, after qualifying as engineers and scientists, they had no place or industry to return to.”
He added that the park, which secured an Export Processing Zone (EPZ) license, could have attracted top technology companies, turning Akwa Ibom into a manufacturing hub for gadgets, electronics, and other devices.
