Dr Itoro Etim’s Representation: Breaking Barriers And Rewriting The Uruan Story

In the 2023 election, something extraordinary happened in Uruan State Constituency. After years of being represented by men, there was a gender shift, as the people chose a new voice and made history doing so. Dr Itoro Etim, sharp-minded, warm-hearted and guided by her faith, became the first woman ever elected to represent Uruan State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly.

Cheers filled the air, though laced with curiosity. Could she match the towering legacies of past lawmakers like Hon. Aniekan Bassey, a former speaker who now serves in the Senate as the representative of Akwa Ibom North East? But as the saying goes, “The proof of the pudding is in the eating,” and Dr Etim has been very iconic in her representation of Uruan State Constituency so far.

Before going into the political scene, she was shaping minds as a university lecturer and shaping stories on stage and screen. She holds a PhD in Theatre and Film Studies from the University of Port Harcourt, an M.A. in Theatre Arts (Costume Major), and a B.A. in Theatre Arts (Second Class Upper) from the University of Uyo.

Born in Mbiakong Uruan and married to Prof. Francis Etim of blessed memory, she has spent her career proving that brilliance and compassion coexist. She has served as the chief executive officer (CEO) of Beautiful Imaginations, an Entertainment Consultant and fashion designer, founder of the Little Miss Akwa Ibom Beauty Pageant and The Girl Child Academy, Former Akwa Ibom State Chairperson of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), and the executive producer and host of The Beautiful Woman on Comfort 95.1FM.

Breaking barriers is nothing new to Dr Itoro Etim. Today, as Uruan’s first-ever female lawmaker, she’s proving that leadership is not about gender; it is about vision, grit and showing up for the people you serve.

Before her legislative duty, she served as a commissioner in the Akwa Ibom State Judicial Service Commission and displayed her skills as a movie producer, director and stage performer with several awards and recognitions to show.

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In the AKHA, Dr Etim did not just “hit the ground running”; she practically sprinted. She has easily stood out due to the sharp intellect and boldness she brings to public service. Within her first weeks in office, she was appointed chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations and Finance, a clear vote of confidence in her capacity, and two years later, her scorecard speaks volumes.

Also in her legislative duties, she sponsored a Bill to establish the Akwa Ibom State Culinary Studies/Hospitality Management; a Bill mandating water and toilet facilities in public schools; pushed motions that restored electricity to nine Uruan communities after four years of blackout; championed the activation of Nyong Essien Model Secondary School; called for urgent government action on gully erosion in Eman Uruan; advocated for pipeline reticulation and waterworks rehabilitation in major Akwa Ibom cities; and moved a motion to honour Chef Hilda Baci, Guinness World Record holder for longest cooking marathon.

In community empowerment, she has trained 154 constituents in vocational skills, 110 in fashion design and 44 in ICT; disbursed N10 million in business support grants for women; awarded N2.2 million in educational grants to Uruan students; empowered 52 market women with N52,000 each; and provided financial support to youths across all wards during her “Thank-You” visit.

In advocating beyond borders, Dr Etim has co-sponsored motions to establish student hostels at Akwa Ibom State University; recognise and immortalise late General Philip Effiong for his role in ending the Civil War; and tackle erosion threats at Akwa Ibom State College of Education, Afaha Nsit. These are just the highlights.

Even as she drives new policies, Dr Etim has not forgotten her roots. Currently, she is championing a “unified royal regalia” project to strengthen cultural identity among Uruan traditional rulers. She is also planning a landmark celebration of Chief Nyong Essien, the first legislator for the Old Calabar Province and former deputy speaker of the Eastern House of Assembly, slated for November 14, 2025, at Ibom Hotels and Golf Resort, Uyo.

For her, progress means embracing the future without losing sight of the past. She has often enthused that her representation is grounded in “unity, inclusiveness and service delivery”, all tenets of the leadership style of Governor Umo Eno, describing him as an epitome of unity. His vision continues to inspire her approach to representation and development.

Ask her constituents, and they will describe her as grounded, accessible and fiercely determined, a mentor to young women and a powerful mobiliser of grassroots support.

At an enlarged media parley held at Imagination Auditorium recently with the All Progressives Congress (APC) Media Team, Uruan Chapter, the cerebral legislator gave a comprehensive account of her legislative strides and constituency interventions to the admiration of the audience.

With all her developmental achievements, Dr Etim still feels her work has only just begun and pledges to intensify efforts in bringing more dividends of democracy to every part of Uruan.

“I remain committed to a brighter future for the Uruan people. My focus will always be the welfare, unity and development of our constituency,” she enthused, amidst applause.