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It was a moment of celebration, thanksgiving and sober reflection as the Management and Staff of the Ministry of Finance came together to appreciate the Almighty God for a glorious and rewarding year,2016, as well as to seek his divine grace for the incoming year.
The event which took place at the State Secretariat complex in Uyo, was also set aside to formally receive the present Commissioner, Mr. Nsikan Linus Nkan , and to honor the Immediate past Commissioner, Mr. Akan Okon who was redeployed to the Ministry of Housing and Special Duties.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Nsikan Nkan described the day as unique, noting that it has afforded him an ample opportunity to meet and interact with a great number of staff he was going to work with, whom he said elicited happiness and radiance.
Commissioner Nkan who described the Ministry of Finance as the most organized in the State civil service, said he was proud to be its part and parcel, and promised to operate an open door policy, while calling on staff to partner with him to consolidate on the gains so far made.
He lauded the Management of the Ministry for creating a platform for all Personnel to pray and fellowship together, noting that the initiative has stimulated a bond of unity among the Staff, and announced his immediate membership of the Ministry’s prayer fellowship.
The Finance Commissioner took time to pay glowing tribute to his predecessor, Mr. Akan Okon for serving the Ministry creditably, describing him as his boss and mentor whose exemplary leadership was not only inspirational but contributed to the huge successes recorded during his time as the State Accountant-General, wishing him the very best in his new Ministry.
In their separate remarks, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs Eme-ete Imuk and Permanent Secretary, State Budget office who also doubles as the Acting Chairman, Internal Revenue Service ,Pastor Nicholas Ekarika extolled the pragmatic leadership of the former Finance Commissioner, Mr. Akan Okon.
They also expressed optimism that the Ministry would move higher under the watch of the new Commissioner , Mr. Nsikan Nkan in furtherance of the vision of the State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, and pledged staff’s support and cooperation.
In his response, the former Finance Commissioner and present Commissioner for Housing and Special Duties, Akan Okon expressed appreciation to all the staff for the honor done him.
He stressed the need for them to keep up the team spirit , dedication to duty and above all pray and stay together, pointing out that these were principles instrumental to the great achievements made by the Ministry even in the face of daunting economic challenges.
Okon asserted that the team deployed efficiency and effectiveness in the management of the scarce resources to drive the economic policies and programs of Governor Emmanuel-led administration for the common good of Akwa Ibom people , urging the staff to extend the same support to his successor, Mr. Nsikan Nkan.
Also to witness the grand event were the Acting Accountant-General, Pastor Uwem Andrew Essien, Secretary, Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee, Mr. Sampson Idiong, and a cross section of Directors and staff of the Ministry and Extra-ministerial Departments under the Ministry.
