By Ekemini James
It was the legendary writer, Charles Adams who once posited, that, "no one ever attains very eminent success by simply doing what is required of him, it is the amount of excellence of what is 'over' and 'above' the required, that determines greatness."
The same can be said about the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Technical Matters and Due Process, Elder Ufot Ebong, who has not only done the ordinary expected of him, but has excellently raised the bar of performance and capabilities, in the Udom Emmanuel-led administration of Akwa Ibom State.
If anything occupied the mind of Governor Udom Emmanuel when he assumed office on 29th May, 2015, it was how to immediately take the youths of the State off the street.
This he expressed repeatedly at many events after inauguration. This however led the governor to established Akwa Ibom State Enterprise and Employment Scheme (AKEES).
AKEES was designed to fulfill his (Udom's) empowerment goal of systematically reducing unemployment while building human capacity, to enable the youths to take advantage of his industrial strides.
With such lofty vision, it was not surprising to have the governor appoint Elder Ufot Ebong as Coordinator of AKEES and Assistant on Technical Matters and Due Process, to make his own contributions to ensure the government succeeds.
Ebong is undoubtedly a stitch in time, a rare strategist, petroleum explorationist, manager and iconic administrator. He is a seasoned Geologist with a Bachelor's Degree in Geology and a Masters Science Degree in Sedimentology, both from the University of Calabar, Nigeria.
His open-mindedness, generosity and discipline could not be kept in the dark while he worked with Shell Oil Company for 26years. He excelled in this Company and became the first Nigerian to profitably manage an asset worth $2billion.
His career in the oil and gas industry includes role as Senior Manager (Projects) for Shell BP in South East Asia. He is member institute of Directors (IOD)
Ebong's appointment has succeeded in actualising a key dream of Governor Udom Emmanuel which is to take the youths off-the-street through the mandate of Akwa Ibom Enterprise and Employment Scheme (AKEES).
With the personality of Ufot Ebong on board, the management of AKEES has ensured the resources of the State is not lost to sharp practices and frivolities.
As Abraham Lincoln, the then President of United States once said, "that he may walks slowly, but he never walked backwards", indeed, Ebong may walk slowly but the Expertise of Ufot Ebong has so far ensured that Technical Matters and Due Process does not lag behind.
"It is not the position that makes the man, but the man that makes the position he occupies relevant." - Brain Tracy.
Within two years, we have seen the results of AKEES which is already taking our youths off the street and has given them a sense of belonging in Governance. It is obvious that Ufot has proven to be an indispensable asset to the Government.
The essence of leadership is to change the lots of the people and Ufot Ebong has succeeded in making sure that he stands by this as his support for governor Udom's agenda of turning the State to an industrial hub is unwavering.
Little wonder his aspect of assignment in the State government has received a facelift. Within two years in office, the SSA has recorded a rare achievement in his area of administration as the state has saved good sum of money from being lost annually due to neglect of due process over the years.
"Service is the yardstick for knowing leaders and a man who cannot serve should not lead", says Shiv Khera.
With the dogged and unrelenting spirit of leadership that characterizes the aura of Ufot, only more tougher tasks of service like the one he currently occupies can bring the kind of change that has been recorded as a result of his performance.
It is high time we left politics to discuss merits. But who shall we use as a case study? Without any iota of prejudice, Ufot Ebong has shown himself fit, as a reference point for good performance and excellence, making it another display of excellent choices of our dear Governor who does not lack in terms of good judgement.
The idea was, if the youths are reoriented on the values of honour, integrity and dignity in establishing an industrial State would be achieved.
Elder Ufot Ebong has remained that robust capacity the Governor needed and it could be safely said that, since Ebong is succeeding then, Governor Udom Emmanuel is succeeding.
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