Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem has been sworn in as the new Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Akwa Ibom State.
He was sworn in by Governor Udom Emmanuel on Tuesday at Government House Banquet Hall, Uyo.
In attendance at the swearing-in ceremony were the Deputy Governor, Mr. Moses Ekpo; wife of the Governor, Martha; Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Barrister Onofiok Luke; the State Chief Judge, Justice Godwin Abraham; the immediate past SSG, Sir Etekamba Umoren and other top government functionaries.
Administering the oath of office, Governor Emmanuel enjoined the new SSG to utilise his thorough contact with meaningful individuals and organisations globally to attract investments in the state.
He explained that such economic linkage would afford the youth opportunities of sustainable employment as they graduate from school.
The governor extolled Dr. Ekuwem, describing him as a man of integrity and great talent, who is celebrated across the world.
“You are not just a pride of Mbo or Oro nation or Akwa Ibom State, you are a very big pride of Nigeria,” the governor said while expressing delight at his expertise in the telecommunications business.
He congratulated the new SSG on his appointment, remarking that the crowd of people present at the occasion was an indication of his wide acceptance.
He stressed that “so much is expected from us, especially with you now on board, so we must deliver and work in unison in that partnership for people to feel the impact.”
The governor acknowledged the abundance of talented individuals in the state, saying, “the greatest asset God has given us is our people.”
He noted that it was apt to harness such talents to make a difference in interpreting the vision of his administration in the development of the state.
According to him, the inclusiveness was one of the governing platforms of his administration.
He maintained that he was poised on ensuring that every part of the state had a sense of belonging and remained in the path of unity.
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“I will do everything possible to make sure every part of this state has a deep sense of belonging. That we are all one, joined by a common destiny and our unity, I repeat, is non-negotiable. Our common ethos remain our binding instrument and our fidelity to the Akwa Ibom project remains sacrosanct.”
He appreciated the immediate past SSG, Sir Umoren, on his selfless service to the state, saying that he was a great ally, whose diligent service added value to the mission of the administration, to deepen developmental strides in the state.
The governor said that he had an enjoyable working relationship with Sir Umoren, whom he described as a dear friend and brother, mentioning that the state would always seek his wise counsel as might be required.
Speaking to Government House reporters shortly after the brief ceremony, the elated Ekuwem said that the industrialisation policy of the present administration, which was anchored on empowerment, was commendable and expressed his readiness to key into it.
While stressing that empowerment sustains integrity, he pledged to discharge his responsibilities with unimpaired loyalty and apply his intellectual acumen for the actualisation of the vision of the administration.
The newly sworn-in SSG, Dr. Ekuwem, hails from Ofi Uda, in Mbo Local Government Area and holds a Bachelor Degree in Engineering Physics; Masters Degree in Physics; Masters Degree in Electronic and Electrical Engineering (Micro computer-based Instrumentation/ Control Enhineering) and a Doctorate Degree (PhD) in Electronic and Electrical Engineering (Computer-based Instrumentation/Control Engineering).
He is the immediate past Chairman of the Board of Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) and replaces Sir Etekamba Umoren, who had served as the Chief of Staff in the previous administration before being appointed as SSG in the Governor Emmanuel-led administration in 2015.
