As the impasse orchestrated by the court injunction restraining PDP from recognizing Mr. Udom Emmanuel as Akwa Ibom State PDP Guber candidate rages on and the deadline for the submission of candidates by political parties to INEC draw closer, a consensus candidate appears to be the only solution to the PDP for Akwa Ibom State if they must field a governorship candidate for the 2015 general election. Tom FredFish, in this write-up highlights the silhouette of one of the 22 aspirants who may end up as the consensus candidate for Akwa Ibom PDP.
He had not yet come into the world when Sir Edmund Burke said “all that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing”. However coming to learn the act of wise sayings in his academic traverse, one axiom which has always ruminated in his heart was that truism synthesized by Sir Burke above.
Dr. Peter Esuh was convinced that the only way to fight evil and free the society from those which are detrimental to the socio-political and economic development of Akwa Ibom state was for him to take a bold step.
And he did with all amount of alacrity. Many people saw his entrance into the Akwa Ibom governor race as a comic worth watching while others who knew him so well, pinches those who care to listen that he is the man to watch.
And after gathering the momentum needed to fill in for the post, Esuh divine entrance has meet with every necessary impetus needed of divinity as encapsulated in his robust plans to take Akwa Ibom State from the destination where Governor Godswill Akpabio has currently paddled it to a convergence state.
As INEC deadline draws closer and the PDP puts her house in order setting up its machinery for an electoral college to choose a consensus candidate for Akwa Ibom State, it is pertinent that you know the man who may end up the consensus candidate to fly the PDP flag for the gubernatorial election as well as become the next governor come May 2015.
An attempt at constructing a memoir of Peter Esuh is like toeing the path of history and philosophy; you may have an inclination of when and where to start but not when and how to finish. It is noteworthy to state that Peter Esuh has been the principal in whatever he does in life especially as it relates to God’s perfect will.
Dr. Peter Esuh was born on the 26th September, 1965, at Uboro Oro in Urue OffongUruko Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State to the family of Pastor (Dr.) Asuquo Okon Esuh and Deaconess (Mrs.) Akon Esuh of Uboro Oro. Esuh’s humble beginning started with his pursuit of educational career when he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate at Government Primary School, Obom Itiat, Eki East, Western Calabar, Cross River State in 1977. He then proceeded to the prestigious Methodist Boy’s High School, Oron, Akwa Ibom State in the same year, for his secondary education.
Peter Esuh sought admission into the Cross River State School of Basic Studies, Akamkpa from 1985 to 1987 for his Advanced Level Certificate in (Religion, Sociology and Literature) in 1987. He got admission into the University of Cross River State, (Unicross), Uyo from 1987 to 1990 and obtained Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication Arts. He sought admission into the University of Uyo, Uyo from 1991 to 1993 where he obtained Master Degree in Mass Communication with specialization in Public Relations and Advertising.
A society molder should be well armed academically by attaining quality education. Peter sought for further studies at the University of Uyo from 1996 to 2001 and obtained a PhD in Mass communication with specialty in Marketing Communications and Rhetoric.
In a bid to fulfill his dream, Peter Esuh started his gold-embossed life of impartation as the Managing Editor of Nayouth Magazine during his National Youth Service Corps in 1990. He was also the Assistant Proof Reader, Government Press, Ibadan in 1990, then, a Senior Communication Instructor at the Federal Fire Service Training School, Ibadan in 1991, a Lecturer at the Apostolic Bible College, Etinan, from 1992 to1995, a Consultant, Pinnacle Studios, Uyo, from 1994 to 1995 and Director / Lecturer, School of Communication, Vision College, Uyo, from 1994 to 1996. On 22nd February 1996, he was appointed into the University of Uyo as an assistant Lecturer in the Department of communication Arts. As a brilliant budding scholar, the young Esuh obtained a Ph.D in Mass Communication from the University of Uyo in 2001.
Due to his diligence in service and hard work, Peter Esuh’s appointment as a lecturer was confirmed in 1999 and was later promoted to lecturer II. He was again promoted to the rank of a senior lecturer in October 2005. While awaiting CA & PC confirmation for 2009 promotion to Associate Professor after a successful PFQ in the University of Uyo, the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, recently appointed him a Professor of Mass Communication.
For a man who is known to have stamped his feet and dedicated all his life time to serving, service has been the hallmark of Esuh’s academic sojourn. Peter Esuh is known to have been very active in community service within and outside the Department of Communication Arts in the University of Uyo and other Universities around the world where he served in various capacities such as:
Pioneer Coordinator of BA and Diploma Programmes in Communication Arts, SCE, Departmental Research Project Coordinator, Departmental Undergraduate Seminar Coordinator, Pioneer Departmental Examination Officer, School of Continuing Education, Unit Head, Public Relations and Advertising, Teaching, Supervision of Projects, over 50 PGDs, 16 MA Dissertations 8 PhD Theses, Curriculum Development for Diploma, Undergraduate and Postgraduate Programmes, University Internal Examiner for related graduate programmes, External Examiner to Igbenedion University and Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Member Faculty Board, Faculty of Arts, Member Faculty Examination Malpractice Committee, Member University Fund Raising Committee, Head of UNIUYO Production Team to First Nigerian Universities Research Fair in Abuja, among others.
Peter Esuh’s working Experience spans over 24 years with eighteen years as a University lecturer and teaching over 30 courses in different Universities in Nigeria and East Africa. Adjunct Lecturer, Abia State University, Nigeria 1997-1999, Adjunct Lecturer MBA Public Relations & Advertising, Imo State University, Nigeria, 1998-1999. State, State coordinator IIJ Abuja affiliated to University of Maiduguri, Adjunct Senior Lecturer Cross River University of Technology (CRUTECH), Calabar, Nigeria, 2005-2008, Adjunct Associate Professor of Mass Communication, Igbinedion University Okada, Edo State, 2006-2008, Associate Professor of Marketing Communications, Saint Augustine University of Tanzania, Mwanza, Tanzania, 2008-2009, and Adjunct Professor of Mass Communication Igbenedion University, 2009-2010.
He has produced thousands of graduate and postgraduate degree holders, three of which are currently among the 22 aspirants jostling with him for the governorship position. His products have impacted on the field of journalism, public relations, advertising, broadcasting, business and organizational communication, marketing and promotional management, consumer behaviour etc, thus helping to re-engineer the human society.
Peter Esuh is a member of more than 14 professional bodies within and outside Nigeria some of which are: National Association for Research and Development (NARD), Nigeria Union of Journalists, Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON), Nigeria Institute of Public Relations, University Media and Aesthetics, African Council for Communication Education, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Amnesty International, Institute of Industrial Administration of Nigeria, Corporate Administration of Nigeria and International Society for Development and Sustainability (ISDS).
Peter Esuh has distinguished himself as an astute administrator, a thoroughbred technocrat, a prudent manager of resources and public funds, an incisive analyst, a rigorous debater, a dispassionate decision maker and a compassionate God fearing human. Listed various times in “Who is Who” editions in Nigeria, it is not without doubt that a substance such as Peter Esuh who has dedicated all his life time to service would be recognized for his hard work and services to humanity. Esuh is a recipient of honours in diverse field right from when he was a student. Some among the awards received by Esuh are:
Best English Literature Student Award SBS, Award of Academic Excellence, National Association of Oron Students, Award of Academic Excellence, Department of Communication Arts, Excellence Leadership Award Akwa /Cross Leadership Forum, Kaduna, Northern Zone, Award of Excellence in Human Motivation Post Graduate Students Union, Uniuyo, Cited in Who is Who in Nigeria, Third Edition 2005, Most Distinguished Akwa Ibom Person of the Year: Pioneer Applause Magazine, Cited in Achievers’ Who is Who in Nigeria, 2010, Cited in who is who in Akwa Ibom State 2009, Award of Excellence in Human Development, Niger Delta Youths, Cited in Who is Who in Akwa Ibom State: Silver Jubilee Edition, 2012, Most Impactful Akwa Ibom Citizen: South South Youth Agenda (SOYA), 2012, Academic Noble International Award, Institute of Industrial Administration of Nigeria, Abuja 2014
Dr. Peter Esuh’s involvement in national life and politics in Nigeria is way beyond bounds. His political endeavours began with student activism. He was the Pioneer President of Postgraduate Students Association GRASA, University of Uyo in 1991. Until 2003, he was the Akwa Ibom State Publicity Consultant to the National Democratic Party, NDP, and was among some prominent members of the NDP who defected from the party in 2003 and was received to the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, by the former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo at the Uyo Township Stadium in 2003. Since his entrance into the PDP, he has been a loyal party man and a bridge builder across various groups and personalities in the State.
As the State Secretary of Obasanjo Solidarity Forum, OSF, which was the major arm for good governance and exemplary leadership, Esuh was able to use his office to rally support for the reelection of former President Obasanjo; a role he discharged with upmost integrity and perfection. He was the consultant to the Publicity Sub Committee for Obong Victor Attah’s Presidential Campaign Organization. In a bid to garner great support and grassroots participation at the third tier level of government, Peter Esuh founded the Grassroot Solidarity Movement, GSM, which was later changed to Godswill Solidarity Movement. The group, whose membership grew to more than half a million and spread across the 31 Local Government Areas of the State, was instrumental to the grassroots support and the reelection of Chief Godswill Akpabio in 2011. He has served as:
Member, Publicity Sub-Committee Victor Attah Campaign Organization 2003.Director of Publicity Helen Esuene Campaign Organization 2011, Assistant Secretary General Oron Think Tank 2009-2012, Director of Communications Oro Think Tank, Publicity Consultant to Movement for Victor Attah Presidency (MOVAP) 2006, Local Government Returning Officer 2011 General Elections, Local Government Returning Officer, 2012 Local Government Elections Akwa Ibom State, Editor-In- Chief, Voice of Oro, Patron, Akwa Ibom Mandate Union, AKMU, Patron, Iban Esit kied for Godswill Akpabio 2011, Director Corporate Communications and Research Akwa Ibom Renaissance Movement 2006, Patron South South Youth Agenda, Chairman Board of Trustees Peace, Cultural and Ethnic Nationalities of Nigeria, President University of Uyo Campus Lions Club, Vice President, Senior Staff Club University of Uyo, Nigeria, Vice President ACCE Restructuring Group, Tanzania, East Africa and Founding President, Graduate Students Association (GRASA) University of Uyo.
As an erudite scholar, Professor Esuh penchant for academic proficiency saw him undertaking several research works such as: An Assessment of SPDC and Mobil Producing Nigeria Corporate Social Responsiveness in the Niger Delta, Assessment of Public Opinion on the effect of Mining Activities and Environmental, Impact on Lake Victoria in Mwanza, Tanzania. He has also published more than 30 articles in international journals, and co-authored/edited several books/ Journals and is a peer reviewer of two international journals, as well as the editor Uyo Journal of Innovation, of the Graduate School University of Uyo. Peter Esuh has attended and delivered lectures in so many conferences, in Nigeria, East Africa and Asia, especially as a resource person.
Peter Esuh’s religious life is an exemplary one. The Bible says, train up a child in the way of the Lord that when he grows he will not depart from it. That scripture has given him an edge in life. His upbringing from a thorough Christian family, where his late dad, Pastor (Dr.) Asuquo Okon Esuh, was the Secretary of The Apostolic Church, Nigeria, dedicated his life to the upliftment of the work of God. Thus, his father’s pastoral work affected his upbringing, and gave him moral virtues in life because Esuh grew up to put God first in whatever he does.
Esuh’s principle, to differentiate between right and wrong, has earned him trust from all. He grew up with the fear of God and respect for human dignity. As a son of a minister of the gospel of God, Esuh has been very involved in church activities. He was a Sunday School Teacher, Choir Master, Prayer-band leader, Witness/ Evangelical Team leader. In 2010, Esuh was among the pilgrims to enter the Holy Land in Jerusalem, earning him a Jerusalem Pilgrimage, JP. He once told a gathering that if he had not been a lecturer, he would have been a pastor; a call to service he professes itches him but insist he will go to the pulpit after serving the good people of Akwa Ibom State.
Peter Esuh is a philanthropist and a changer of destiny. Esuh detest the needy and disadvantaged lacking, and would prefer to spare his last dime just to see other people’s problems solved. A good example of his numerous humanitarian gestures was when Esuh once met a young Akwa Ibom student who had no sponsor to secure his education when he had admission in the University. The young man’s only option before he met Esuh was the sale of his blood to pay his school fees. A very heartbroken and demoralized Esuh offered to pay the boy’s school fees till he graduated. That is who the person Peter Esuh is, simple yet very reassuring. He has had many on his scholarship in Akwa Ibom State, Tanzania and Uganda. He had been embarking on charity campaigns to destitute/ motherless homes and widows in Akwa Ibom State and Lugbara Ogoni, Rivers State.
Peter Esuh loves responsible travelling, humanitarian services, reading, playing football and table tennis. Esuh has never hidden his love for sports especially football. In the Nigerian league, Esuh is a great fan of Akwa United Football Club while his love for various clubs in the English and European leagues saw him settling for Arsenal FC as his favourite.
He is married and the union is blessed with four lovely children. He believes that all children are a gift from God and must be cared for, even those who are not your biological children must be treated equally as they didn’t come to the world by accident but to fulfill God’s purpose.
Peter Esuh believes that no one can better mold the society except the molder of Human who is a teacher hence his vision is anchored on “an egalitarian society where the fear of God and Human Dignity will thrive to produce a one capital State, eschewed of the idiosyncrasies of ethnicity and rancor, so as to propel a construction army for industrialization that provides a convergence of human and economic activities as the hub of the Gulf of Guinea and a model State for sub-Saharan Africa.
While he is on a mission is to “enthrone the glory of God and brotherliness for equal opportunities in our society where fairness, justice and equity will be the yardstick for human capacity development, socio-economic and political transformation, which must be total in every nook and cranny of Akwa Ibom State”.
These he said he would achieve through a 9-point agenda such as: Institutionalization of the fear of God and Morality, Qualitative and Vocation Directed Education, Process/ Produced Based Agriculture, Productive Health Care System, Social Security and Gerontology, Dynamic People Oriented Infrastructure and Urbanization, Sports and Socio-Cultural Reintegration, Human Capacity Development and Economic Empowerment, State Directed Industrialization, Trade & Investment, Research, Energy, Science and Technology Driven Economy.
Surely a brighter future beckons on Akwa Ibom people as this man of destiny, Peter Esuh surges through surmounting challenges to become the next executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, in 2015. Let us therefore eschew all the jaundiced recriminations, rancor and ethnic bigotry that had truncated our development as a people and allow the Lord to lead us with unity of purpose to a height unimaginable by human estimation.