The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has cleared 20, out of 27 Commissioners and Special Adviser nominees sent by Governor Umo Eno.
The approval came after a thorough screening exercise, which assessed the nominees’ qualifications, experience, and suitability for their respective roles.
The Assembly, however, adjourned Plenary till Thursday 20th February, 2025, to complete the screening and confirmation of the seven remaining nominees.
The cleared nominees, were; Elder Aniekan Umanah, Dr. Henry Archibong, Rt.Hon. Nsikak Ekong, Rt. Hon.Alice Ekpenyong , Hon. Frank Archibong, Captain Iniobong Ekong, Mr. Bob Almond Emem, Comrade Ini Ememobong Essien, Dr. Offiong Offor and Uko Essien Udom (SAN)
Others are; Dr. Nsikak Linus Nkan, Princess Emem Ibanga, Mr. Anthony Luke, Rt. Hon. Iniobong Robson, Prof. Eno James, Dr. Emmanuel John Ekem, Mrs. Inibehe Silas Etukudo, Dr. Frank Ekpenyong, Dr. Ekanem Ekerete and Dr. Ubong Inyang respectively.
They were confirmed, today (Tuesday 18th February, 2025) during plenary in a unanimous voice vote from the lawmakers following a rigorous screening exercise.
Recall that His Excellency, Governor Umo Eno had last week forwarded a list of 27 nominees to the House of Assembly for screening and confirmation as Commissioners and Special Adviser in the State Executive Council.
Inline with legislative practice, the House received the list and mandated it’s committee on Judiciary, Justice, Human Rights and Public Petitions to screen the nominees and report back to the Assembly for further legislative action.
Chairman of the committee, Hon. Anefiok Attah, had while submitting his report, described the nominees as men and women of proven integrity who have been found ably qualified to serve in the State Executive Council. He hinted that the committee did not receive any adverse petition against them.
Sequel to the adoption of the reports of the screening committee by the Lawmakers, the nominees were invited into the Legislative Chamber for an interface with the lawmakers in session, where they took turns to explain satisfactorily to the legislators how they would bring their wealth of experience to bear in assisting the Governor to actualize his ARISE Agenda.
Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Udeme Otong who presided over the day’s plenary, enjoined the Commissioners and Special Adviser designates to ensure they bring their wealth of experience in interpreting the Governor’s ARISE Agenda.
Also at plenary today, the House received the corpse of a former Parliamentarian, Late. Obong Cyril Ekiko who represented Ikono Oku Uyo State Constituency in the then Cross River State House of Assembly.
The valedictory session was also witnessed by former parliamentarians, including those who served with him in the defunct Cross State House of Assembly.
Late Obong Ekiko who died at the age of 83, was instrumental to the establishment of Ikono Ibom Comprehension Secondary School, Ikot Ayan Ikono, Uyo.
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