UDOM’S MAIDEN CHIEF OF STAFF: A MERIT FOR DILIGENCE

By: Itoro Udotim

Akwa Ibom State Ministry of works will for a longer time live with nostalgia over the additional job schedule for Akparawa Ephraim Inyang-eyen with additional to the ministry, whose impacts remain indelible in the face of development, Akwa Ibom State.

Ephraim Inyang-eyen was few days ago announced the Chief of Staff (CoS) to Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel By this appointment, in addition to his role as commissioner for works. He becomes the first Chief of Staff (CoS) to Governor Udom Gabriel Emmanuel’s-led administration, since 2015.

The maiden Chief Of Staff is an indigent citizen of Onna Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. He is a graduate of chemistry, University of Ibadan, Oyo state,
After his foundational education from Etinan institute, Etinan, Akwa Ibom State and school of basic studies, Akamkpa in Cross River state. He also holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the prestigious University of Lagos, Lagos state. From 1990, and currently doing Doctorate degree in first generation Amercian University. He had served as a customs officer in the Nigerian Customs Service with a glittering and dignified career across different formations in the force.

His shelf presents him as a recipient of many awards and professional memberships, notable among them is Fellow Institute of Management Consultant. He is a devout Christian, happily married with children.

Inyang-eyen’s years of service as commissioner for works, lavished the state with enduring people-oriented projects that have dropped the jaw of Akwa Ibom people in amazement. His assiduous pace as commissioner for works raised the shoulders of Governor Udom Emmanuel who could see his industrialisation promises made to Akwa Ibom people manifested. This caused His Excellency to commission roads and industries at close intervals.

As at December 2019, through Akparawa Ephraim Inyang-eyen, Governor Udom Emmanuel had completed over 1,700 kilometres of road and over 43 bridges across urban and rural areas in the state. Inyang-eyen’s achievement as commissioner for works can only be exhausted by taking a tour across Akwa Ibom State.

The elevation of Akparawa Inyang-eyen to the position of Chief of Staff (CoS) to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State is a confirmation of his magnanimous character in discharging public responsibility without bias. He is known globally for his proactiveness without being dicacious.

Considering the commissioner’s landmarks in ministry for works, it is obvious that some people may dissent to commensurate his performance in his new portfolio.

It is important to bring to the fore that the office of the Chief of Staff to Governor Udom Emmanuel can be more demanding than architectural designs, measurements and constructions after determination of the peoples’ need.

The office of the Chief of Staff entails using Who to get What; in line with the overall interest of Akwa Ibom people to drive to reality the vision of His Excellency, Governor Udom Emmanuel. The dynamic nature of peoples’ behaviour makes the office better fitted with Akparawa Ephraim Inyang-eyen.

Giving Akparawa Ephraim Inyang-eyen’s wealth of cognitive wisdom; having served as chairman, Board of Trustees, Transformation Initiative; a leading socio-cultural group that was at the frontline to the emergence of Governor Udom Emmanuel in 2015 and his paramilitary experience, the government deduced to him as a good choice for the job of Chief of Staff (CoS) to the governor. He is humble, accessible and proactive to render effective service delivery.