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Wise Decision of a Wise Governor
By Saviour Ekpe
Many scholars and researchers including Sachdeva and Gupta in the field of public administration believe that it is the driving force of democratic ideals – progress, prosperity and protection of the common man, which can only be obtained through impartial honest and efficient administration. The administration is the essential servant of the new age which is becoming so complex that neither the bluster of the power-population nor the abundant goodwill of the multitude will avoid breakdown, if despite the adoption of right policies, wrong administrative steps are taken. An administrator should have an agreeable personality, possess the ability to get along with the people, have character and integrity, have qualities of leadership and be able to make a high percentage of correct decisions without undue procrastination.
This is where Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State has made a wise decision in appointing a man of sound mind and integrity, a man of culture and architecture, a man of vision and mission, a man of passion and fashion, a man who has feeling and understands the feelings of others, a man who has knowledge of leadership and mentorship, a man who has private and government principles at hand, into his cabinet as a commissioner of special duties, Rt. Hon. Okpolupm Etteh.
No matter how well crafted a policy of government might be, if the administrator overseeing the ministry or department is not conversant with the rudiments and implementation strategies, such policy or programme is bound to fail. Etteh has an attitude of positive thinking, an attitude of team player, an attitude of getting flame from smoldering. Through his skills and attitude, Rt. Hon. Ikpolopm Etteh has come to change the gear in the running of the ministry of special duties to the satisfaction of the governor and the public at large. Etteh in many for a has always advocated the development of rural areas and has initiated many rural programmes himself and would not limit himself only to his ministry, rather hopes to extends the tentacles of government to reflect his general traits of philanthropist and grassroots mobilizer.
He has promised to contribute to the general governance in the administration of Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, not only limited to his ministry of special duties, but suggestions on general issues which he could have implemented if he had eventually won the governorship seat which he also opted for in 2015. This is a blessing to the present government. He is aware that there is great dichotomy between the city and rural in terms of infrastructural existence. Here, he would suggest to the governor.
Rt. Hon. Okpolopm Etteh does not join the executive council of Akwa Ibom State as a novice. He remains the longest serving member of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly where he garnered sufficient experience in the art and science of law making. From an ordinary member and committee chairman in the third assembly, he rose to the position of chief whip in the fourth assembly between 2007 and 2011, later same year became the leader of the house of the assembly. Etteh has also served in Genesis Motors, Enugu as a corps member, Dispatch supervisor, courdeau limited, an offshore oil source contractor to Mobil producing Nigeria Unlimited; operations manager, Jena Industries limited; Director, operations, Ikang conglomerate Nigeria, and chairman, board of directors olgette project limited, OPL.
He is a youth activist and community leader. He served for two terms as president, national association of Akwa Ibom state students (NAAKISS) at Federal Polytechnic, Oko; Youth leader in Ibeno before going to the House of Assembly.
His community service, Diligence, Philanthropy and attitude have earned him numerous accolades including Honorary Award of Texan, by the state of Texas USA, Best state Legislator Award by the Ultimate project Magazine, African Democrat Merit Award as an African outstanding leader and philanthropist by Trust magazine , merit Award for Humanitarian service by NYSC Vanguard; African International role model leadership, Gold Award from Beema communication Ltd. Gold service Award from Rotary club of Uyo Metropolis, Rotary International District 9140 – Nigeria, African Achievers Leadership Award, Accra, Ghana; Excellence in leadership Award, Ukanafun, Award of Honour, Afigh Iwaad EKID and certificate of leader.
He is a fellow of the Nigerian institute of industrial Administration; holds the chieftaincy titles of Iberedem Ikono, Obong Uforo Esit Eket; Nta Nta Ekpene Ukim; and Offong Ubuedai, Mbo. A member of Mboho mkparawa Ibibio, MMI and has pan ibomism heritage – his father from Ibeno, his mother from Obioitak, Ikon; his grandmother from obio offot, Uyo Itak, Ikono, his grandmother from Obio Offot, Uyo, his wife from Utu Ikot Imoute, Etim Ekpo. He attended central school, Ibeno, Federal Polytechnic, Oko Anambra State and Galilee International Institute of Management, Israel, where he bagged Post Graduate Certificate in Public Administration and Civil Service Management.
Rt. Hon. Okpolupm Etteh is a man of integrity, a man of courage, a man of principle, dedication, a man of humility, a man of confidence, a man of energy and experience. He is happily married to Ekaette and they are blessed with four children.
