Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has submitted a list of 27 nominees for appointment as Commissioners and Special Advisers to the State House of Assembly. The nominees will undergo screening and confirmation by the lawmakers before assuming their roles in the state’s executive council.
The list, which was made available to reporters on Tuesday, contains a mix of returning and new appointees. Nine of the nominees previously served as commissioners, with eight of them working under former Governor Udom Emmanuel, while one was appointed by Governor Eno himself.
The returning commissioners include: Prof. Eno Ibanga (Works and Fire Service), Ini Ememobong (Information and Strategy), Emem Bob (Economic Development), Offiong Offor (Agriculture), Frank Archibong (Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs), Linus Nkan (Finance), Capt. Iniobong Ekong (retd.) (Lands), Uko Essien Udom, SAN (Justice), and Gen. Koko Essien (retd.) (Internal Security and Waterways). Gen. Koko Essien is the only commissioner among them who was originally appointed by Governor Eno.
The list also features several new faces who are expected to bring fresh ideas to the administration. The new nominees are: Paul Bassey, Hon. Ikoidem Ekong, Anthony Luke, Hon. Iniobong Robson, Dr. Henry Archibong, Hon. Nsikak Ekong, Dr. Emmanuel John Ekem, Mrs. Inibehe Silas Etukudo, and Prof. Ubong Essien.
Others named for possible appointment include: Rt. Hon. Aniekan Umana, Rt. Hon. Alice Ekpenyong, Dr. Frank Ekpenyong, Kufre Udosen, Hon. Ubuo Effiong Ubuo, Dr. Ubong Inyang, Princess Emem Ibanga, Dr. Anietie Udofia, and Dr. Ekanem Ekerete.
Governor Eno, in a letter to the Speaker of the House, Hon. Udeme Otong, requested legislative approval for the appointments based on Section 192(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
“In line with Section 192(2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), I forward the listed nominees for appointment as Commissioners and Special Advisers for confirmation by the State House of Assembly,” Eno wrote.
