Akwa Confluence

1. 457B, Titilayo Adedoyin Street, Omole Phase 1, Ikeja-Lagos
Email: akwaconfluence@gmail.com or brandhealth@yahoo.com
Phone: 08036035191
Akwa Confluence Press Release
As an indigene of Akwa Ibom State, I am very pleased with what is happening in my state. The
uncommon transformation slogan of the government is real. The government has done much
to improve the quality of life of the people of Akwa Ibom State. It is my desired that the tempo
be sustained or improved even after the current government.
Creating a more robust future for Akwa a state and our people requires involvement of
everyone. It requires people who are enthusiastic and are willing to volunteer their creativity to
provide the desired outcome for the state. We do not all have to be in government to volunteer
our creativity. It is possible, very possible to contribute meaningfully from outside.
Akwa Confluence is a brandhealth initiative aim at contributing to a robust future for Akwa
Ibom State and its people by providing a new thinking about citizenship and participation where
the state taps the public’s wisdom for better decision-making. It is new mechanism, or space
and place for citizens’ engagement. It is a platform for interface between the citizens and the
state. It intends to play an increasing role in bridging the gap between the citizen and the state;
while inputs from the initiative would enhance responsibility as well as responsiveness on all
sides. It is initiated to reposition citizens’ participation in Akwa Ibom.
Akwa Confluence adopts a straight and a simple approach to achieve results. Each year,
brandhealth would send out questionnaires to various groups in Akwa Ibom to specify what
they want from the government and the results communicated to the government. The
emphasis therefore is placed on gaining insights into citizens’ needs and preferences so that the
government can anticipate their needs and deliver proactively. This would help in resource
allocation. It would also help the government to provide what the people want.

2. Our people in brandhealth are very excited to have pioneered this kind of initiative in Nigeria.
We see this as public service. We are convinced that the initiative would deepen democracy in
the country. It would facilitate active participation of its citizens; not just when it comes time to
vote, but all the time. We know that other states would take a cue from Akwa Confluence and
inaugurate this type of platform that would allow their people to have a say in how the
resources of the state are allocated.
In brandhealth, we know that innovation and transformation in service delivery are taking place
around the world as governments recognize the value that can be achieved by this kind of
initiative — both in terms of desired policy outcomes and increased citizen trust in government.
We also know that citizens have come to expect the same level of service from government
that they experience in the commercial sector. We have seen past studies that have strong link
between service and the trust and confidence citizens have in government. The people of Akwa
Ibom State would be better with Akwa Confluence.
KEY OBJECTIVES OF AKWA CONFLUENCE
In specific terms, Akwa Confluence intends to achieve the following:
a. Develop partnerships between communities and government, built on co-operation and
recognition of the creative ideas and skills that citizens have to offer.
b. Be an interactive, community based activity that engages local citizens to participate in
decision-making processes for the state by involving all classes of people in all the local
governments.
c. Use segmentation strategy to identify the diverse needs of citizens..
d. Enable people to have greater ‘voice’ and ‘choice’ as part of an attempt to re-energise
our democracy and enhance local accountability and responsibility for services.
e. Sharing of information across government, supported by robust legislative frameworks,
is seen as vital for responsible service delivery.
I can feel the enthusiasm from our people. I can anticipate the outcome of this initiative. I can
also how this would act as a catalyst for others to think more, do more for Akwa Ibom.
Emman Udowoima
CEO, brandhealth.