CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study
According to Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, “the height of great man reached and kept, are not attained by sudden fight, but they whilst their companion slept were toiling upwards in the night”. Also, according to Bob Marley, he said that “a great man is not known only for his wealth and riches, but also by the positive impacts he made and the lives, he touched. This is the story of Late Senator Ime Jacob Ikpatt, who was a selfless and compassionate man and this made him to be loved by all.
Late Senator Ime Jacob Ikpatt hailed from Afaha Offiong in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area. He was one of the NsitIbom Sons who contributed immensely to the development of Nsit Ibom community, his Senatorial District, Ibibio Nation and Akwa Ibom State as a whole. This research work seeks to study and being to light every aspect of Late Senator Ime Ikpatt’s life, including his early upbringing, political career and leadership, his contributions to development and the welfare of his people, his legacies and others.
Statement of the Research Problem
This life and time of great men are easily forgotten or not documented. In the course of this research work, it was discovered that written works concerning Late Senator Ime Ikpatt were hard to come by as things were not documented about him. Thus, this research work will given information about him that may be referred to in future.
Objectives of the Study
The objectives of this research work include among other things, the following:
The work intends to highlight aspects of his early life.
The work will also expose his career and leadership qualities.
His contributions to the development of both his community, NsitIbom and Uyo Senatorial District shall be given a cursory attention.
The Late Senator’s achievements and legacies shall also be highlighted in the course of the research.
His eventual demise shall also be considered.
Significance of the Study
(i) The achievements of Late Senator ImeIkpatt will be a challenge for other leaders/politicians from Uyo Senatorial District to emulate.
(ii) His lifestyle will be a lesson for other to also copy especially the essence of heard work to attain stardom.
(iii) The research work will give an insight into the life of Late Senator Ime Ikpatt as a whole, his early upbringing, his leadership roles and others.
(iv) The work at completion will be a reference material for researchers on Nsit Ibom History.
- His lifestyle will be a guide to those who nurture the feelings of being a leader.
Scope of the Study
The researcher decided to focus her attention on Late Senator Ime Ikpatt and Nsit Ibom because she hails from there and the legacies of the Late Senator if not documented now, will be forgotten. The period of his life, 1940-2016 is very significant in the history in Akwa Ibom State and the emergence of Nsit Ibom as a Local Government Area.
