Tuesday, 5 August 2014

Udom Emmanuel: One year of selfless service in A’Ibom BY JOSEPH OKON

Udom Emmanuel: One year of selfless service in A’Ibom
It was Gordon B. Hinckley who said that, “When faith replaces doubt, when selfless service eliminates selfish striving; the power of God brings to pass His purposes.”

These has been the propelling factor in the life of this gentle astute financial administrator par excellence, Mr Udom G. Emmanuel whose life has been a blessing to many and given hope to the hopeless through his many humanitarian acts of kindness and selfless services he has rendered to many within AkwaIbom State, Nigeria, and the global world.
It is true that some men are born great while some achieve greatness through hard work, but Udom Emmanuel being a Man who has destiny with God was born great in-spite the circumstance of his birth, that could not derail him from attaining his divine destiny.

There is no doubt that Udom Emmanuel joins the state executive council with an intimidating educational and professional profile which speaks volume of his capacity to deliver, the governor himself confessed this on the day he was sworn-in, and within one year in office as SSG, he has made all the difference in the administration

He came into the office as anaccomplished financial administrator, whose life has been a blessing to many. The SSG hasbrought his huge educational and professional background to bear on the story of the uncommon transformation accomplished by Governor GodswillAkpabio in AkwaIbom State.

He has continuously been a source of hope and inspiration to the youths in Nigeria and beyond. He is indeed a great man destined for great things.

July 31st 2013 marked a new beginning in the life of the uncommon transformation administration of Governor GodswillAkpabio following the appointment and swearing-in of Mr Udom Gabriel Emmanuel as the secretary to state government. 

There is no doubt that ever since he began work as the SSG, he has contributed immensely to the continuous growth of the Akpabio led administration. His activities speak volumes of his capacity to deliver and drive the engine room of Government with all honesty and effectiveness to the admiration of every person including the Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio. 

Within one year as the SSG in the vineyard of uncommon transformation, Mr.Udom Emmanuel have proven beyond all reasonable doubts that he was the needed tonic to successfully pursue the uncommon transformation drive of Chief Dr GodswillObotAkpabio led administration to it final destination. As a trained professional banker and financial administrator, Udom Emmanuel has brought to bear his managerial ability and good leadership skills in the day to day running of government.

His prudent management of resources and his effectiveness in interpreting the financial standing and economy of the state has not gone unnoticed.Today the much needed industrialization of this state is receiving massive attention by investors within and outside the country. This is evidenced in the recent partnership agreement between the AkwaIbom state government and Central Bank of Nigeria on the development of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (MSMEs) amongst other noble activities of Government towards the growth of the economy.

Udom Emmanuel has really brought to bear his professional expertise in the Governance and economy of AkwaIbom State. He has shown extreme commitment, humility, and loyalty to his fatherland and the people of AkwaIbom State for heeding the call from the state Governor to come home and contribute to the uncommon transformation drive of the present administration.
Until his appointment as Secretary to State Government, Mr Udom Emmanuel was appointed an Executive Director to the board of Zenith bank Plc. in 2006, non-Executive Director, Africa finance corporation (AFC) in 2010, Director Nigerian interbank settlement system (NIBBS) between 2009 – 2011, non-executive director, zenith bank UK, zenith bank Gambia, zenith bank Sierra-Leone, zenith Pension and Custodian, zenith Securities, Trustees, and zenith Registrars. 

Because of his high intellectual capacity in finance management, while in Zenith Bank Plc, Udom Emmanuel was responsible to Corporate Strategy and Planning, Corporate Financial Advisory / Control, Business Development, International Investors Relations; Oil and Gas Sector, Infrastructure and Power Sector, Multilateral, Conglomerates and Private Banking (MCP), and Telecommunications sector. Truly, the SSG has been actively involved in the bank’s decision making process over 17 years being a permanent member of key decision making bodies of the bank like; executive management committee, senior management committee, credit committee, assets and liabilities committee, staff and exceptions committee, audit and risk management committee, and nomination and governance committee. These sterling professional records of achievements in this private sector of highest repute have made the SSG perfectly fit into any system of administration which has produced impressive results that have stands out AkwaIbom state government today as a model state and reference point in the comity of states in our nation.

The SSG have also garnered other professional corporate experiences that has helped him function creditably well in the office of the SSG. He has not allowed his rise to the most exalted office at the financial institution to becloud his sense of humility. He is a leader that can be trusted at all times.

 While working with Diamond bank limited from 1994 – 1995 as the head of special project department, he was responsible for multilateral agency projects which includes IDF and TBRD. At the price-water-house, Udom Emmanuel was the audit manager- financial services in 1993, led audit financial services, Corporate Business Analysis and advisory, Corporate Business Development, and corporate tax consultancy (tax planning and advisory services). All these managerial experiences and expertise have greatly positioned the SSG to deliver quality services that have put smiles on the faces of AkwaIbom people.

A brief look into his background indicates that the SSG is properly schooled and a thorough bred professional. He was the Senior Prefect of Community Secondary School, IkotAkpanIshiet, Udom G.Emmanuel attended school of Arts and scienceUyo before he proceeded to the University of Lagos where he graduated with 2nd Class Upper division in Accounting. He proceeded from there to Leeds Metropolitan University UK for M. SC Corporate Governance.

Udomenrolled in offshore courses/Executive management programmes such as; Advanced Management Programme (AMP) at Insead France, Advanced Leadership Management Programme, London Business School, Changing the Game: Negotiation and Competitive Decision – Making, Harvard Business School, Enterprise Risk Management and Basel II Dun and Bradstreet, Executive Leadership Programme, Colombia Business School, USA, Strategic Thinking and Management for Competitive Advantage at Wharton Business School, USA, Risk Management: Asset and Liability Management, and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) by Euromoney, London.

Udom Emmanuel is a member of many professional bodies which includes; Fellow of Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FAC), Fellow of Institute of Financial Management since 2005, and Associate of Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (ACIT).

Apart from being a major stakeholder in the corporate world, the SSG’s steadfast in God dates back to his upbringing. He was a young Choir Director in his local congregation of Qua Iboe church, Ikot Idem Udo, Awa Iman in Onna Local Government Area where he contributed immensely towards the discovering of talents to the Glory of God.

Deacon Udom Emmanuel has invested very seriously inthe work of God through his magnanimous building of churches within and outside the state, and his hugged financial assistance to boost religious activities he is so passionate about. His massive investment in the Education sector stands him out as a man that can be relied upon. His passion for the less privileged has also proven to the World that indeed this is a man that understands what leadership and selfless service is all about. He does not discriminate.

As a banker, he is blessed with the habit of deep reflection, self-control and generosity; and as a destined leader by God; he understands the knowledge of men, power and government; while each successive phase of his experience has developed his dependence on God which is the secret of his strength throughout life. 

In-spite all the sponsored media attacks launched against him by mischief-makers to discredit or bring him down before the right thinking members of the public, they have not been able to fault his professional competency and capacity to lead AkwaIbom State, and deliver quality service to the people as 2015 beckons on him.

One year serving as the SSG to AkwaIbom State, it has been confirmed that God has always resisted the proud and give more grace to the humble. This is evident in the appointment of Mr Udom Emmanuel as the secretary to state government by Governor Akpabio to confirm that truly a gold fish has no hiding place. As the SSG marks one year in office, his contributions to the monumental achievements of Governor Akpabio led administration speaks volumes through his massive interventions in all sectors of the state economy which the governor have found in him a resilience and committed public administrator par excellence.

Even as the 2015 beckons on him for a higher responsibility, throughout all his life,Udom Emmanuel have always used the front door in attaining any position he has attained. It was this attribute, which led to his meteoric rise in Corporate Nigeria and his proven track record in Corporate Governance and financial services across West Africa and Europe.

The very best of Udom Emmanuel is still yet to come as he marks this eventful one year of impressive performance in office as the SSG, coupled with the massive called on him by AkwaIbom people to contest the governorship position of the state come 2015 which he is yet to declare, he should be encourage by all to do so.

It is our humble prayers that God should continue to guide, direct, sustain, and endow him with more wisdom, knowledge and strength to continue in the task of building a prosperous AkwaIbom that all will be proud of which is so passionate and committed to do.  

 He is indeed a material and Udom is the answer even beyond 2015. Happy one year in office! The man of the people.

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