By Enyieting Etim
Poised to deliver on his Completion Agenda, Akwa Ibom governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, has charged his commissioners and special advisers to be ready to be innovative and responsive to current challenges or be shoved aside.
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Governor Emmanuel gave the charge while swearing-in seven new commissioners and one special adviser at the State Banquet Hall, Government House, Uyo, on Monday, August 3, 2020.
The governor, who administered the oath of office to the newly sworn-in commissioners and special adviser, charged the appointees to be innovative and responsive to the current global challenging times in which they have been called upon to serve the state.
‘‘You’re coming at a very challenging time whereby post-COVID-19 has changed the world’s modus operandi. So, the way we do things and our thought process must also change. What will make a difference now is prayer; pray to God to give you knowledge and wisdom not to fail the people. You must achieve a purpose and must represent your people well”, Gov. Emmanuel admonished the new appointees.
He tasked the cabinet members not to dissipate their energy on politicking but should initiate programmes that would directly or indirectly revitalize the state’s economy with a particular interest in agriculture. He used the occasion to announce government plans to set up agro-processing plants to address the agricultural needs of the state in the nearest future.
The event which was in line with the long-awaited expectations of Akwa Ibom public led to the reshuffling of the cabinet which has 20 commissioners and two special advisers, who have accordingly been assigned portfolios.
In the line-up of the newly appointed commissioners, Prof. Eno Ibanga, who until his recent appointment was the acting vice-chancellor of Akwa Ibom State University, is assigned to the Ministry of Works and Fire Service which was hitherto headed by Akparawa Ephraim Inyang-eyen, who is now chief of staff to the governor.
READ ALSO: Professor Eno James Ibanga: Service, Loyalty and Reward
Also, Prof Augustine Vincent Umoh, a medical expert who is assigned to Ministry of Health, takes over from Dr Dominic Ukpong, who has been appointed as honorary special adviser on health matters to Governor Emmanuel for his resourcefulness and commitment in promoting the health care policy programme of the state.
Another fresh commissioner whose entry into the State Executive Council has elicited applause from a cross-section of Akwa Ibom indigenes, especially the media community, is Comrade Iniobong Ememobong Essien, the immediate-past state publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who is drafted to the Ministry of Information and Strategy. He takes over from Sir Charles Udoh, who is reassigned to the Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources.
The State Ministry of Agriculture, Women Affairs and Social Welfare which had for the past one year operated as a single ministry has been split accordingly. Assigned to the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare as commissioner is a new entrant, Dr Ini Adiakpan, while Dr Glory Edet, the longest-serving commissioner in the state and who initially doubled as the supervising administrator of both ministries, is deployed to Ministry of Agriculture.
Mr Frank Archibong, the immediate-past executive chairman of Eket Local Government Council and state chairman of Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), is assigned as commissioner in charge of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. He takes over from Mr Udo Ekpenyong, who is now the new state chairman of the ruling PDP, occasioned by the expiration of the tenure of Obong Paul Ekpo-led two-term executive committee.
Another new appointee, Mrs Enobong Mbobo, takes over as commissioner for Education from Prof Nse Essien, who was recently appointed the vice-chancellor of the Akwa Ibom State University.
Elder Amanam Nkanga is assigned as the special adviser, Bureau of Political, Legislative and Social Re-orientation, taking over from Pastor Sunny Ibuot, who has been deployed as commissioner, Ministry of Labour and Manpower Planning.
Also, a fresh commissioner, Dr Imoh Moffat, is assigned to the Ministry of Science and Technology, taking over from Dr Iniobong Essien, who has been dropped from the cabinet.
The portfolios of other commissioners and a special adviser are Mr Akan Okon, Ministry of Economic Development and Ibom Deep Seaport; Arc. Imeh Okon Ekpo, Ministry of Lands and Water Resources; Uwemedimo Thomas Nwoko Esq, Ministry of Justice; Mr Monday Ebong Uko, Ministry of Youth and Sports: Mr Nsikan Linus Nkan, Ministry of Finance; Rt. Hon Okpolupm Ikpong Etteh, Ministry of Special Duties; Hon Orman Esin, Ministry of Culture and Tourism; Rt. Hon Uno Etim Uno, Ministry of Transport and Solid Minerals; Prince Ukpong Akpabio, Ministry of Trade and Investment; Otuekong Raphael Bassey, Ministry of Housing and Mrs Ekemini Umoh, Bureau of Rural Development and Cooperative.
