“Infrastructural Deficits In Nigeria, A personality Issue”-Eric Anderson

Bad roads network, dilapidated institutions of learning, underfunded healthcare system, ravaging unemployment, official corruption among others are challenges militating Nigeria’s growth. These administrative ineptitudes underscores current economic recession, bringing to fore the questing for a change of narrative.

Hon. Eric Iso Anderson, a former Special Assistant Tourism, Former Commissioner, Culture and Tourism and immediate past Commissioner for Information, Cross River State is currently a Senior Legislative Aide to the Senate President and Diamond Band Leader. He’s a Theatre Artist turned politician with lots of achievements to his credit. In an exclusive interview with parliamentvanguard.com, the socialite bore his mind on topical issues with solutions including gross infrastructural deficits in Nigeria.  Excerpt

WHAT IS YOUR NAME AND POTFOLIO?

“My name is Eric Iso Anderson, I’m a former Special Assistant Tourism to the Cross River State Governor, His Excellency, Sen. Ben Ayade. I am also a former Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Cross River and the immediate past Commissioner for Information. Presently, I am a Senior Legislative Aide to the Senate President, His Excellency, Senator, Godswill Akpabio.”

HOW ARE YOU ABLE TO TRANSFORM FROM THEATRICALITY TO POLITICS GIVEN YOUR THESPIAN BACKGROUND?

“It has been seamless for me transforming from Theatre to politics because, politics houses lots of professions. There are Lawyers that are in politics to contribute to nation building. There are Doctors and lots of other professionals involved in politics. As Thespians, we are very versatile and pragmatic in approach by training. We are Actors, Producers, Directors, Filmmakers among others. When I got into politics, I came with the mindset of a Producer to see how I can contribute my quota in directing affairs of the politic.”

GOOD LEADERSHIP APPEARS TO BE A SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGE IN THE GOVERNANCE ARCHITECTURE OF NIGERIA, LIKE OTHER THIRD WORLD COUNTRIES. WHAT DO YOU INTEND TO DO DIFFERENTLY FROM OTHER CROPS OF POLITICIANS?

“We are young people, which attracts this wrong impression about us as juvenile and other inherited prejudices. Ironically, amongst us I see very mature minds, I see pacesetters and goal-getters. For instance, I have been in the political scenery for about five years and I can tell you categorically that I did my best to calve a niche for myself, where one is to be creative on how he goes about duties. As for the infrastructural deficits in Nigeria, it’s a personality issue. Like I said earlier, people come into politics from different disciplines and for different reasons. Truth is that the change we yearn for begins with us irrespective of our current positions in the society. Always ensure that others and you have good memories of your stays in office. This disciplined mindset underscores my political progression, rising from one level to another. I did my best while in office. If you look at my programs, all my activities as Personal Assistant before I was upgraded to Commissioner, you will see clearly the intensions and yearnings for change. From my background as a creative, I approached every single thing like a creative that I am. I have been able to make a mark as a person hoping that we can have more of me, more of you, more people that thinks in our direction. With these, the system will be more effective.”

NIGERIANS CELEBRATED THE RECENT SUPREME COURT JUDGEMENT WHICH CONFERRED FINANCIAL AUTONOMY ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT. WHAT IS YOUR OPINION?

“While celebrating that Judgment, I think we should also speak truth to the EFCC and other enforcement Agencies to tighten security on financial crime. The search light should be on soon to be elected Local Government Executives to avoid mismanagement of funds. In the event they manage the resources properly, we will applaud them. Should they do otherwise, the law enforcement Agencies should go hard on them. This is the only way we can reap benefits of the autonomy.”

 WOULD YOU MIND GIVING THE FORTHCOMING LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTION A TRY FOR THE GOOD OF YOUR PEOPLE?

“Agreed, opportunities springs up, but contesting an election goes beyond just saying I want to contest. You have got to do some background checks. Within you, you have to pray over it, accept responsibility for whatever activity you intend to undertake among others. Personally, on the forthcoming Local Government Election, I have not settled my mind to contest”

AWAY FROM POLITICS. AS LEADER OF DIAMOND BAND, WHAT SHOULD WE BE EXPECTING IN 2024 CARNIVAL CALABAR?

“First of all, we started ‘Fitness Frenzy’ two months before commencement of carnival dry run for a reason. Dry run indicates that people starts working out, trying out their choreography, the energy, headcounts and all of that. We started two months earlier because we needed to have our headcounts done to meet the criteria’s from Carnival Commission. There are certain number of revelers you must come out with from the first dry run. We don’t want to run into the trouble of looking for people from the first dry run. We are using this ‘Fit Frenzy’ to pull them out, motivate them and bring our best foot forward. The next ‘Fit Frenzy’ promises to be more elaborate and engaging. Be rest assured we are ready to pull out all of our members timely for the first, second and third fry run including headcounts. I see so much excitement within the people. As people from the creative industry, ours is on the go as we keep creating and recreating on what directions to take. Our script is ready and the more people comes out, you start to tie them to responsibilities.”

AS A BAND LEADER, HOW DO YOU MEET THE FINANCIAL BURDEN IN TERMS OF PRIVATE SECTOR SPONSORSHIP?

“The private sector has played a significant role in promoting Carnival Calabar over time. Then again, carnival is capital intensive which entails that we need more funding. This goes to saying that we are calling for more private sector partnership to help drive ideas behind the festival. Carnival contributes substantially to the economy of Cross River state, critical stakeholders and other players of the processional art form.”

WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ON SHARED PROSPERITY AS THEME OF THE 2024 CARNIVAL CALABAR?

“Every theme in carnival is for an intended purpose. The theme for 2023 was ‘Season of Sweetness’ mantra of the current administration. You saw what we displayed on the routes during carnival. It was just wow!!!. Shared prosperity on the other hand is not going to be different as it simply implies giving account of stewardship, essence of governance. Carnival itself is competitive, let me not go deep into this (laughs). You can imagine seven intellectually scripted performances on the streets of Calabar. Imagine the spectacle, choreography, music and more. Rest assured the competing Bands will interpret this theme to the fullest.

“To our esteemed Members, here we are at Diamond Carnival Band. It’s our moment, we will be making best use of it. It is not about the position, but passion to deliver creatively. We are giving other bands a run for their money, their creativity, their existence and more. At Diamond Band, we are filled with excitement.”