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It was celebration extraordinaire as the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Comrade Ini Ememobong took out time to fete the National Productivity Of Merit, NPOM Award Winner, Mr. Edem Okon and other staff of the Ministry.
The occasion was the monthly Birthday celebration of staff ritual which Comrade Ememobong introduced to the Ministry, on assumption of office, as a measure towards giving the staff a sense of belonging and boosting their morale for enhanced performance and efficient service delivery.
Coming up on Thursday 30th June, all staff of the Ministry born in that month, were converged at the NUJ Press Centre, Information Drive, Uyo, for celebration by the State Information helmsman, who is proven in commitment to the celebration of staff and indeed people, within and outside the Ministry, especially stakeholders of the Information sector of government.
“It has become our tradition to celebrate staff on their birthdays and today is special because we will also celebrate our Information Officer who won the covetous National Productivity Of Merit, NPOM Award, Edem Okon and also staff who successfully completed a NIPR programme in the state”, Comrade Ini Ememobong said.
“I urge all to embrace the culture of celebrating people and encouraging them on their worthy achievements as this will boost their morale and inspire them for higher productivity”, the Information Commissioner added.
He congratulated the NPOM Award Winner, Mr Edem Okon, the Information Officer in the Office of the Head of the Head on the feat emphasizing that his choice for the Award by the Ministry was based on merit.
And in line with his pragmatic leadership, Comrade Ini Ememobong announced a redemption of pledge made by the Ministry to Mr. Edem Okon during his book launch some years back, stressing that, the monetary settlement will be made within 14days.
Also for presenting copies of her father’s book to him, little Miss Idara Edem Okon, who is keying into the writing skills of her father, received cash award from the State Information Commissioner.
Furthermore, Comrade Ememobong congratulated the staff who successfully completed a NIPR training at the E-LIBRARY, reiterating that, the Ministry will stop at nothing in ensuring the training and re-training of staff in line with the availability of funds and charged all to take the training exercises very seriously whenever the opportunity knocks.
He expressed appreciation to the Head of Civil Service, Elder Effiong Essien, for honouring the Ministry’s invitation to attend the tripartite loaded celebration, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Akparawa James Edet for the successful coordination of the event and all the Directors who contributed to the success of the event.
June-born staff of the Ministry did not go without smiles, as Comrade Ini Ememobong shower them with cards and cash gifts, in addition to cutting the birthday cake with them and singing birthday songs to their listening pleasure.
In his remarks, the Head of Civil Service, Elder Effiong Essien expressed gratitude to the Commissioner for all the training programmes sponsorship within and outside the Country for staff of the Ministry and for the reception organized in honour of Mr. Edem Okon, the Information Officer serving in his office.
The Head of the Civil who was represented by the Director of Administration in his office, Ms Doris Ikpuhu congratulated all the celebrators for the honour bestowed on them by the Ministry and urged them to reciprocate the gesture through increased performance, “as to whom much is given, much is also expected”.
Earlier in a welcome remarks, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Akparawa James Edet had expressed gratitude to the Commissioner for gathering staff of the Ministry in their different categories for celebration and for sustaining the the monthly birthday celebration of staff of the Ministry.
Akparawa James Edet, noted that, without love and the will power, the Commissioner will not have been able to push on the laudable initiative and prayed God to continue to keep, bless and strengthen the Commissioner for greater achievements for staff of the Ministry.
In a Goodwill message, the State Chairman of the NUJ, Comrade Amos Etuk, described the State Information Commissioner, Comrade Ini Ememobong as the most approachable and Media-friend Commissioner and prayed God to keep Comrade Ini Ememobong in good health for a continued cordial relationship with the Press.
Comrade Amos Etuk, congratulated Edem Okon on the covetous Award, hoping that, many more laurels will be attracted to him through his humility, diligence and hardwork.
In his response, the NPOM Award Winner, Mr. Okon, who was accompanied to the event by his beautiful wife imaobong and daughter, Idara, expressed deep appreciation to the Honourable Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Comrade Ini Ememobong for the honour done him by the Ministry and the Head of Civil Service, Elder Effiong Essien for being a supportive Boss.
Highpoint of the event witnessed by Directors of the Ministry was the presentation of a deep freezer gift to Mr. Edem Okon in recognition of his NPOM Award by the Honourable Commissioner.
