BY DARLINGTON DAVID
Born on 19 September, 1970, to the royal family of Chief Ikpong Ikpong Etteh of Upenekang in Ibeno Local Government Area, Rt. Hon. Okpolupm Etteh has remained the longest serving Member of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly where he has garnered sufficient experience in the art and probably also, the science of law making. From an ordinary member and Committee Chairman in the Third Assembly, he rose on to become the Chief Whip in the Fourth Assembly between 2007 and 2011. In 2011, he climbed up the ladder again to become the Leader of the House of Assembly.
He has not been a legislator all his life, though. Before he got to where he is today, he attended the Central School, Upenekang, Ibeno. He also attended the Secondary Grammar School, Ibeno, before going to the renowned Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State, where he bagged a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Marketing. He also attended the Galilee International Institute of Management, Israel, where he bagged a Post Graduate Certificate in Public Administration and Civil Service Management.
In the school in Isreal, he usually recalls how fellow students from Nigeria were always shocked that he was a politician. Why? He was always the first to come to class, participate in all academic activities and shared experiences. That’s the focused personality in him.
After leaving school, Rt. Hon. Okpolupm Etteh first served with Genesis Motors, Enugu as a Youth Corps member. From there he joined Courdeau Limited, an offshore oil service contractor to Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited, as Dispatch Supervisor. Later he moved on to Jena Industries Limited as Operations Manager, and Ikang Conglomerate Nigeria Limited as Director, Operations, before incorporating a limited company called - Olgette Project Ltd,OPL, where he served as the Chairman, Board of Directors until his voluntary resignation to be in active politics.
His life of community service started a long time ago. At Fed Poly, Oko, he was a two-term President of the National Association of Akwa Ibom State Students (NAAKISS). In Ibeno, he was the Youth Leader before going to the House of Assembly.
Rt. Hon. Etteh has recently been honoured with a Honorary award of Texan, by the State of Texas, United States of America; Best State Legislator Award by The Ultimate Projector Magazine; Legislative Merit Award by Institute of Industrial Administration of Nigeria; African Democrat Merit Award as an African Outstanding Leader and Philanthropist by Trust Magazine; 2011 Merit Award for Humanitarian Service by NYSC Vanguard, Akwa Ibom State; 2011 African International Role Model Leadership Gold Award from Beema Communications Ltd.; Gold Service Award from Rotary Club of Uyo Metropolis of Rotary International, District 9140 - Nigeria; African Achievers Leadership Award, from Accra, Ghana; Excellence in Leadership Award from Ikot Akpa Idem Elite League, Southern Afaha Clan, Ukanafun LGA; Award of Honour from Afigh Iwaad Ekid and Certificate of Leadership from Oron Development Union, Atlanta Chapter, USA;
A Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Industrial Administration, Rt. Hon. Etteh holds the chieftaincy titles of Iberedem Ikono, Obong Uforo Esit Eket, Nta Nta Ekpene Ukim and Offong Ubuedai Mbo. He is also a member of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio.
Always proud of his pan-Akwa Ibom heritage,Rt. Hon. Etteh was given birth to by a mother who is from Obio Itak in Ikono Local Government Area.His grandmother is from Obio Offot in Uyo Local Government Area while he is married to Ekaette for Utu Ikot Imonte in Etim Ekpo Local Government Area with whom he has four children.
He is variously described as a man of Integrity; a Courageous, Focused, Principled, Dedicated, Humble, Simple, Reserved, Open, Broadminded, Magnanimous, Thorough, Meticulous, Approachable, Confident, Energetic, Influential, Exposed and Experienced leader.
He is also one of the front runners in the 2015 Governorship race in Akwa Ibom State.
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