Udo: Strong and reliable

BY EMMANUEL JOHNSON

This quintessential politician is not only  strong in his looks but in character and approach towards issues. No wonder many who come in contact with him describe him as a strong-willed individual exuding strength of character, focus, integrity, yet amiable, affable, humble, philanthropic, filled with milk of human kindness. No wonder these virtues always stand him out each time the people desire a leader with abundant qualities needed to improve mankind and the society they live within.

Followers of his leadership evolution should be very familiar with, the time when he led the workers in the State under the aegis of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) as their State Chairman which he proved his substance, rich with ingredients of a great leader. He left his mark on the sands of time as the era recorded industrial harmony and great achievements within the workforce in the state.

However, posterity fetched him out again as he was called by the Executive Governor of the State  Chief Godswill Akpabio to bring these rare qualities  to bear in his government as the Special Adviser on Labour/ Productivity Matters as he advised him (the Governor) on Labour and Productivity matters.

Then, he did not fail in that capacity, hence his People of Oruk Anam beckoned on him to proceed to the 5th Assembly and be a voice for them. Since June, 2011, Hon. Udo Kierian Akpan has been speaking for the good people of Oruk Anam and will still speak for a second term from June, 2015, as the people asked him to continue in the service at the State Legislature.

His sincere passion for the betterment of lives of his people has made him to remain in the good light. This is not just an attitude towards his people, but since it is part of him, it naturally flows from his well of milk of kindness to people wherever he goes. Even in the State Legislature, he has not fallen short of this expectation, as his qualities have given the Speaker the needed backbone to hold together the 5th Assembly for these four years without any successful impeachment plot.

His activities in the Assembly show that of a resolute person, who take-stock of his decision before spilling it to the hearing of others; and when he does, he stands by it and take courageously, the responsibility for his actions. These attributes have gained him many accolades and one of it is when his kinsmen under the aegis of Mboho Anam honoured him in a colourful event.

He lives by example and practice what he preaches. He says the truth without fear or favour. Very rare will you see his kind on this exalted seat, not compromising. Born on 4th day of May, Udo (popularly called by peers) enrolled at St. Luke’s Primary School, Ikot Esenam, where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate in 1975.

After his Primary education, the little Udo proceeded to Secondary School Ibesit, in Oruk Anam where he added to his educational kitty, General Certificate of Education, Ordinary level in 1980. Quite early, he was fetched out due to these rare qualities to serve the people as he joined the then Cross River State Civil Service as a Clerical Assistant in 1980. He served and rose to the rank of Principal Executive Officer before his voluntary retirement from service on 1st March, 2007.

Still in deed thirst and hunger for knowledge, he never stopped acquiring knowledge, he kept gaining more knowledge at different stages of his advancement in life.

In 1992, he obtained the Senior School Certificate Examination and obtained immediately the following year, Diploma in Business Administration from the School of Accountancy and Business Studies, Uyo. He followed up by adding a tertiary education flavour from the Abia State University, Uturu, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) Degree in Accounting, 2002. Apart from becoming the Chairman of the NLC, he was a branch Chairman, Nigeria Civil Service Union at the State Secondary School Board between 1994 and 1997. He served as State Chairman, Nigeria Civil Service Union between 1997 to 2005 and was elected State Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress between 1999 and March 2007. Hon. Akpan has also served as State Secretary, Joint Public Service Negotiating Council between 1998 and 1999. Chairman of State Chairmen of Civil Service Union in Nigeria between 2002 and 2005; Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress State Council of Oil Producing States between 2003 and March, 2007. 

His service and goodwill made posterity to locate him on his retirement in March, 2007 to be appointed as Honourable Special Adviser on Labour and Productivity by the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio, CON. This position he held till July, 2010 until he heeded to the call of his people to serve them in the 5th Assembly.

Hon. (Elder) Udo Kierian Akpan in the 5th Assembly has been christened as “stabilizer”, due to his virtues which has enabled the Speaker to lead the Legislature without a crack. A ‘Stabilizer’, Udo is ever Strong and Reliable!

Johnson is an Uyo-based journalist with Transformation Initiative (TIEIP)