Aniekpeno Mkpanang: The mastermind within reach ~Ini Ememobong

Aniekpeno Mkpanang

While taking classes on design thinking at the prestigious MIT, Blade, a Professor and authority in the field of innovation and strategy emphasized the centrality of emotion in design thinking for products and services. He postulated that when people purchase products or patronize services, it is not the product or service that they really seek to purchase, but the experience that they get from its use. For example a person who purchases a high end Mercedes or BMW is purchasing luxurious interior design and speed; or like the person who buys an original Leonardo DaVinci art piece, is conscious of history and it’s global limited edition.

 He went further to explain the different processes of sketch, internal query, prototype production, prototype testing and eventual launch of the product or service.

I immediately called to mind the person of big brother, Aniekpeno Mkpanag and the making of the carols festival. As a person who has been close to governance in Akwa Ibom since 1999, but closer since 2007 and closest since 2015, I can attest to the fact that the Christmas festival has greatly metamorphosed from its earlier stages where the legendary Prof. Laz Ekweme was the star artiste, to its current state. Anyone who has witnessed (either live or via the electronic media) the Akwa Ibom Christmas carols festival from 2009 till date and has not been hit by an experience, is a candidate for medical review to ascertain his humanity quotient. The event completely envelopes you for the hours it airs and sends you to a sweet sleep thereafter. I must confess that as a member of the Church of Christ, watching the carols, should be the least inviting thing, just like observing the stations of the cross, but trust me, I’ve always stayed glued to the event from beginning to the end. I must confess further that I get easily distracted from things especially if I begin to spot errors either of commission or omission.

The mastermind in MR Mkpanang prepares for the December event, many months before the due date. He conceptualises the event, romanticizes about it and then sketches it with his hands, before convoking his squad( where sound minds like Ralph Edem and Ebak populate) to brainstorm over the sketch. He encourages these smart folks to tear the sketch apart, critique and suggest betterments to it. Done with that stage, he creates a prototype  inculcating the agreed changes and sends it out to critical stakeholders to further critique. I recall when in 2015, while still serving as SA-Political Affairs to the Governor, I received an envelope containing papers with different designs defined by many colour codes. I flipped all the pages before I saw a legend explaining to me the meaning of the different arrangements and their attached colours. It was accompanied by a letter personally signed by MR Mkpanang asking my opinion on the VIP, walkway, choir stand and other arrangements. And this was in July! For an event due for December? I was amazed not just at the huge quantum of details that were parked in that one event, but at the humongous thought investment, diligence and commitment to the execution of a task. But then I recalled that vintage Aniekpeno Mkpanang was at work.

Away from the hard ware planning, he invests unimaginably long hours to determine what the officials and artistes and will wear and why. He ensures that rigorous practice and rehearsal sessions are held prior to the event, despite the fact that most of the songs are regular and conversant to the choir. Aniekpeno cannot stand the shame of a mistake or flop in an event. And on the D-Day, when it is time to set the tone, he brings a story that gets every sane person glued to him till he says the last word and departs from the microphone. I can’t forget the story of “why leave Emmanuel on the Bench”. Men, the  man is good. No matter the situation, when people are done with the festival, they usually come out relieved. I recall the December of 2015, when the court of Appeal gave judgement ordering a rerun in the Governorship Elections of Akwa Ibom few days to the carol, many people especially party faithful grudgingly attended the carol, but all through the event, they caught the big and forget their setback, danced their hearts out, submitted to the spirit of worship and completely savoured the heavenly aura that enveloped the venue. I recall the Governor,Mr Udom Emmanuel saying, tonight we take our case to the Supreme God who will surely give us supreme victory, and trust God, it happens just like that.

MR mkpanag is enigmatic, his work capacity is incredible and his speed amazing. When a task is in front of him, nothing else matters except the unblemished delivery of the task.  Well, if this is that century that Peter Drucker had predicted and named as the century of the knowledge worker, then he saw Aniekpeno Mkpanang in his mind’s eye and this century truly belongs to them.

I celebrate the mastermind within proximity, the very energetic, enigmatic, vivacious, cerebral, audacious, affable, courageous, status quo-defying and result driven Aniekpeno Tom Mkpanang. I hail thee, sir.

Cc:Publicity Secretariat of People Democratic Party(PDP).