Gov Eno Inaugurates 27-Member EXCO Of Consolidation, Expansion

…. Charges Them To Deliver On ARISE Agenda
By Bassey Nkponam
UYO
The Akwa Ibom governor has inaugurated a 27- member executive council comprising 25 commissioners and two special advisers, describing them as “EXCO of Consolidation and Expansion”.
The team made up of 23 males and four females, nine returning executive council members and 18 new entrants to the current administration, were shortly after their inauguration presented with the 2022 model of Toyota SUV cars, and immediately assigned portfolios. 
The new cabinet members are, Uko Udom SAN (Etinan), Attorney General and commissioner for Justice; Elder Paul Bassey (Eket), commissioner for Sports Development; Mr Nsikan Linus Nkan (Ibesikpo Asutan), commissioner for Economic Development; Mr Emem Bob (Onna), commissioner for Finance; Captain Iniobong Ekong (Nsit Ubium), commissioner for Lands; Ikoedem Effanga Ekong (Ibeno), Labour and Manpower; Dr Anthony Luke Udoh (Essien Udim), Transport; Dr Offiong Offor (Ini), commissioner for Agriculture; and Mr Iniobong Robson Nnamso (Esit Eket), Ministry of Power. 
Others are Dr Henry Archibong (Itu), Housing; Mr Nsikak Ekong (Ikot Ekpene), Environment and Mineral Resources (Petroleum and Solid Minerals); Comrade Ini Ememobong Essien (Ibiono Ibom), Special Duties and Ibom Deep Seaport; Professor Eno Ibanga (Mkpat Enin), Works and Fire Service; Mr Frank Archibong (Eket), Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs; Dr Ekem John (Oruk Anam), Health; Mrs Inibehe Etukudoh (Ika), Women Affairs and Social Welfare; Professor Ubong Umoh(Nsit Ibom), Education, and Mr Aniekan Umanah (Abak), commissioner for Information.
The rest are Dr Frank Ekpenyong (Ukanafun), Science and Digital Economy; Mr Ubuo Ubuo (Okobo), Water Resources and Sanitation; Dr Ubong Inyang (Ikono),Trade and Investment; General Koko Essien Rtd (Uruan), Internal Security and Waterways; Princess Emem Ibanga (Nsit Atai), Humanitarian Affairs; Dr Anietie Udofia (Uyo), Culture and Tourism; Dr Eerete Ekanem (Etim Ekpo), Youths Development; Kufre Udosen Esq (Ikot Abasi), special adviser, Bureau of Political Affairs and Social Re-Orientation, and Mrs Alice Ekpenyong (Mbo), special adviser, Bureau of Cooperative and Rural Development. 
Administering oaths of office and that of allegiance to the new executive members, Monday, at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Uyo, Pastor Umo Eno described them as a “delivery cabinet”,  a “Joseph’s team”, and EXCO of consolidation and expansion”, charging them to align their efforts with the administration’s ARISE Agenda initiative, while focusing on achieving the government’s development goals and fulfilling campaign promises to the people.  
Eno urged them to prioritise problem solving over blame games and to strengthen weak links within their respective Ministries, in addition to calling on them to maintain peace and unity in the state, avoiding unnecessary conflicts with leaders and elders, while also directing them to commence the execution of projects in their Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
Eno enjoined the new commissioners and special advisers to ensure that their impacts are felt at the local government level and encouraged them to mentor and serve as role models for the youths in the State.  
The governor reminded the new EXCO members that they are currently representatives of the governor and the state government, urging them to act accordingly and refrain from engaging in media wars, even as they should work diligently and uphold the trust placed in them by the government and the people of the State.
He reminded them that the new executive was not a war cabinet but a delivery cabinet, while the central and defining element is unity of purpose, team work, and positive collaborations to deliver on his campaign promises, urging them to commit this to memory and project it in all their engagements to enable them have a smooth time as executive members. 
Eno told the newly sworn-in commissioners that they have been privileged to be selected out of the 7.9 million people of the State to provide services to the State, re-emphasizing that their selection was the sole prerogative of the governor, and based primarily on their proven capacities and ability to get the job done, not on ethnic or primordial considerations. 
The governor made known that they have not been appointed as commissioners to ignite unnecessary fights with their leaders at the local government, State, or federal levels, adding that the dream and desire of government is to continuously keep Akwa Ibom an oasis of peace and tranquility where investors and tourists will continue to come, live, and thrive.
He stated unambiguously that as a man of peace who says what he means and means what he says, it behooves on them to work towards maintaining the peace the State has enjoyed by showing utmost respect to elders and leaders in the State. 
Eno stressed the need for the new cabinet to look for solutions and not engage in blame games while also working to tighten weak links and encourage deeper team spirit for the overall success of the cabinet.
According to him, their role, like Joseph, is to help in further interpreting the dream and vision of government by working collaboratively to prepare the State and people for years of continued economic growth and prosperity.
He congratulated the newly sworn-in commissioners and special advisers, who are members of the State Executive Council, and thanked the Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Elder Udeme Otong, and the House members for the speedy screening and clearance of the nominees. 
“This EXCO can rightly be referred to as the EXCO of Consolidation and Expansion – a Joseph’s Team. Like Joseph, you have been handed a vision as contained in our ARISE Agenda. You are to work collaboratively to interpret and deliver on those key planks of our governance blueprint for the betterment of our people and State. Team work, unity, and passion are the ingredients we require from you.
“We have a blueprint, the ARISE Agenda, which in concrete and precise layers contains our dream for the development of our State. Your role, like Joseph, is to help further interpret the dream and vision by working collaboratively to prepare our State and people for years of continuous economic growth and prosperity.
“This is not a war cabinet but a delivery cabinet. The central and defining element of this EXCO is unity of purpose, teamwork, and positive collaborations to deliver on our campaign promises. Commit this to memory and project it in all your engagements, and you will have a smooth time as EXCO members”. 
Eno, who noted the significance of youth representation in the new executive, reiterated his administration’s commitment to involving young people in governance, calling on Akwa Ibom youths to demonstrate capacity and commitment in their roles.  
According to him, the large number of youths in the new cabinet further shows his administration’s commitment to supporting and mentoring the next generation, expressing hope that the newly inaugurated commissioners will serve as the voice of their generation in governance.
“Our young people, especially in engineering and construction, have been awarded multi-billion Naira projects because they showed capacity. We have created young millionaires, and we remain committed to creating more opportunities for those who demonstrate competence.
“As these young people have thrived in infrastructure development, I expect our newly inaugurated Honourable commissioners to be the voice of their generation in governance”.
The governor expressed gratitude to the outgone executive council members for their dedication and contributions to the development of the State and emphasised that the new appointees were selected based on their qualifications, capacity to deliver, and ability to execute tasks without excuses.