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OVERVIEW |
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Obong (Barr.) Godswill Obot Akpabio completed his primary education at Methodist
Primary School , Ukana, where he obtained a Distinction in the First School Leaving
Certificate Examination. He was admitted into the prestigious Federal Government
College, Port Harcourt, Rivers State and thereat completed his WAEC and GCE A' Levels.
Obong (Barr.) Godswill Obot Akpabio, attended the University of Calabar , Calabar,
Cross River State , and the Nigeria Law School , Lagos . He graduated in law and
was called to the Nigerian Bar. Akpabio embarked on Legal Practice during his National
Youth Service Corps year in Lagos and has since remained in practice.
A devout Christian imbued with true greatness wrapped in simplicity and a strong,
unshakable faith in the will of God.
He has undoubtedly, latched onto the indelible footsteps of his grandfather, late
Okuku Udo Akpabio, 1 st Warrant Chief in Ikot Ekpene province, his Uncle Late Dr.
I. U. Akpabio, Minister of Education/Internal Affairs in the then Eastern Nigeria,
and his cousin, Senator (Justice) Nsima Akpabio, of the Second Republic.
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POLITICAL LIFE |
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WORKING EXPERIENCE |
The story of Obong (Barr.) Godswill Obot Akpabio's political life is that of continuous
service to humanity:
- He was General Senior Prefect at the Federal Government College , Port Harcourt
, Rivers State.
- Member NPN (National Party of Nigeria ) and Personal Assistant to Senator Nsima
Akpabio, 1983.
- Honourable Speaker of Parliament, Students' Union Government, University of Calabar
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- Chairman, Arc. Victor Attah 2nd Term Rally and Mobilization Declaration Committee
2002 for Ikot Ekpene.
- Chairman, Obasanjo/Atiku Presidential Campaign Rally and Mobilization Committee
in Akwa Ibom State 2003
- Chairman, Attah/Ekpenyong 2003 Campaign Rally and Mobilization Sub-committee.
- Youth Ambassador of Nigeria (by the National Youth Council of Nigeria ).
- Most Outstanding Commissioner in Akwa Ibom State 2005.
- The prestigious "lberedem Ibibio" title.
- Holder of various other Chieftaincy titles such as Ukai Ibibio, Ibatai Iman Ibom,
Obong Iberedem Ekid, Obong lfiok Ibesikpo, Obong Idorenyin Ini, Ubok Udom Ikot Ekpene,
Adaha /tu, Ntanta Oro, Iberedem Nsit Alai, Itai Odoro Ikot, Ubok Udom Ukpum etc.
- AIT/Ray Power award for Excellence In Local Government Administration/Reforms in
Nigeria .
- Man of the Year award at the Niger Delta Leadership Award (NDELA) These honors,
expectedly, endeared him to the people, leading to general acceptability. A grassroots
politician and a Patron of more than 178 Youth Organizations in Nigeria . A facilitator
of Akwa Ibom State Chapter of National Coalition for the Continuity of Reforms Agenda
(NCCRA) of Mr. President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR. A facilitator of Movement
for National Accommodation and Continuity (MONACO), another organization committed
to the sustainability of the Reforms Agenda of the present democratic dispensation.
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Obong (Barr.) Godswill Obot Akpabio, has distinguished himself as a disciplined,
hardworking and humble person.
- He started as a teacher in 1982 at Afaha Secondary School , Essien Udim Local Government
Area.
- Associate Partner with the Firm of Paul Usoro & Co, Broad Street, Lagos .
- Director, Corporate Affairs/Legal Services, EMIS Telecoms 1995 2002.
- Acting Managing Director/Chief Executive, EM IS Telecoms 2002
- Commissioner for Petroleum and Natural Resources, Akwa Ibom State 2002 - 2003.
- Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Akwa Ibom State 2003
- 2006.
- Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Akwa Ibom State , July, 2006. Through the years,
Obong (Barr.) Godswill Obot Akpabio, has proven himself to be an astute administrator
of both men and resources.
- In EMIS Telecoms Ltd, his contributions gave the company a staggering in-road into
the industry's market share at the time
- He turned around the fortunes of Local Governments in the State, settled huge outstanding
salary arrears to staff of Local Government Areas.
- Assisted to settle huge debts left behind by past administrators of Local Government
areas.
- Ensured prudent management of resources of Local Government Areas between 2003 and
July 2006. In fact, Local Government Areas recorded more than 411 projects completed
and ongoing.
- Akpabio brought justice to bear in the traditional institution by ensuring that
custom and traditions in conformity with the law, formed the hallmark of selection
of traditional rulers. He worked assiduously to bring peace to warring villages/
clans as more than 500 disputed cases in different villages/communities in the State
were settled amicably.
- Akpabio disallowed Monetary and State influences in the selection of traditional
rulers, such that only qualified and accepted candidates were presented to the Governor
for certificate/recognition.
- Without discrimination, he rendered assistance to numerous Akwa Ibom citizens particularly
the widows, youth and the less privileged.
- He grants scholarships to indigent students.
- In his community Ukana, he floated a Micro Credits Scheme to assist widows and also
caters for the health needs of the needy.
- Working with Heads of Councils and the State/Local Government Joint Account Committee,
brand new patrol vehicles were donated to Police Formations in the entire State,
fitted with excellent communication gadgets, to enhance operations within the Local
Government Areas.
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Obong (Barr.) Godswill Obot Akpabio, was born on 9th December,
1962, to Obot Akpabio and Madam Lucy Obot Akpabio (Nee Inyang Etoh) of the Okuku
Udo Akpabio family of Ukana Ikot Ntuen, Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa
Ibom State.
To many, the name Obong (Barr.) Godswill Akpabio elicits different connotations;
- To his wife and children, a devoted husband and a loving
father.
- To the youths, a role model worthy of emulation.
- To the elderly, respectful and humble personage.
- To the needy, a generous and as a cheerful giver.
- To his contemporaries, a trail blazer.
- In the political arena, particularly in Akwa Ibom State
, the name is synonymous with ‘Continuity’, 'Hope' and 'Good Governance.'
Regarded as a highly detribalized person, his acceptability
to all ethnic groups within the State is acknowledged even by his political opponents.
MISSION
To steer the Akwa Ibom ship from where His Excellency, Arc. (Obong) Victor Attah
anchors, to its final destination where our indigenes burst forth from the shackles
of tribalism, subservience, pettiness, blackmail, character-assassination, inferiority
complex, poverty, to a fulfilled, peaceful, virile and united Akwa Ibom State.
VISION
An Akwa Ibom State with an empowered populace and a private sectordriven economy
acting as a catalyst to Nigeria's Industrial revolution.
HOBBIES
These include: reading, traveling, political discussion, philanthropy, scrabble,
and swimming. He is happily married with children.
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