Monday, 3 April 2017

Charles Udoh: An icon of brand strategy

Charles Udoh: An icon of brand strategy

BY EKEMINI JAMES

When Mr. Charles Udoh was appointed as the Honourable Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Akwa Ibom State by the erudite and ebullient peoples’ Governor, His Excellency, (Deacon) Udom Gabriel Emmanuel on December, 2016, the attendant accolades that greeted his appointment caused jubilation from all quarters. 

I was on the qui vive and assumed such acumen was straying out of the question. The Uyo-born Communication Strategist and technocrat has proven his substance that his coming into the administrative and political landscape of Akwa Ibom was and is indeed a decision rightly made and a credible choice especially in times like this where AkwaIbomites needs to know the Information on the proper working of Government.

Without any atom of sycophancy, I had already expressed contempt concerning the appointment. To me, I thought, ‘here comes another Lagos returnee who must have pulled some strings as some usually do to court favour from the man with the scepter.’ Considering the political indices and the intricacies of effective information dissemination in an enlightened and cosmopolitan state like Akwa Ibom; I was doubling his ability of cutting the Gordian knot in such esteemed position. To my chagrin, our amiable governor; saw the inherent managerial potential in Udoh’s capacity in pulling together with him to building the Akwa Ibom of our dream.


His emergence has taken Akwa Ibom a step further in Information dissemination that was inherited from the previous administration. More so, it is visible to the eyes that information about the state is not a scarce commodity and one’s ears must not be pinned to the ground before it is gotten. At this instance, the facts are no longer in dispute that Akwa Ibom State is at par with other digitalized states of the Federation Courtesy of Mr. Charles Udoh’s tireless efforts, unfading loyalty and faithful devotion to his boss and job. I now agree that you indeed richly deserved the esteem and admiration of your well-wishers.

The efforts of the Honourable Commissioner in few months he is being saddled with the responsibility of steering the boat of the information and strategy ministry has been a mountain of strength and a catalyst for progressive growth in the entire Akwa Ibom project. Information they say, is the engine house of any organization and whoever is placed in charge of it must be fit in all ramifications to effect positive changes in the sector. 

Today, under the superintendence of Mr. Charles Udoh in the information and strategy Ministry, in the Udom Emmanuel led administration, our dear state is fast becoming the reference point for cooperate bodies and the Nigerian government when it comes to information communication and technology.

These few months of service to the good people of Akwa Ibom state has given credence to the fact that Mr. Charles is actually a round peg in a round hole. He has been able to etch his name in gold in both private life and public service. This is evident in his penultimate ports of cells.

He is a master-brand strategist, with quintessential dexterity, Udoh’s leadership of the State Information machinery has led to the evolution of a strategic approach to information Management..

It is worthwhile to state succinctly that all doubting Thomases who are still not convinced of the capability of Mr. Charles should take a stroll on his previous assignment. This has been the reason why the media community commends Governor Udom Emmanuel for appointing Charles Udoh.

He has so far displayed his professional prowess in engaging a digital space and a multi-media strategic development and embarking in an open governance tour in view of projecting the achievements and highlighting the challenges of the State Governor Mr. Udom Emmanuel. This has demystifying the false information, smear campaign, blackmail, character assassination, gleefully circulated propaganda by the aggrieved and defeated opposition party (APC) in the State. 

The choice of Mr. Charles as Honourable Commissioner for Information and strategy came as a result of his vast experience in digital and offline brand management skills through communication, media and public relations. He is an advertisement guru. He had put this knowledge to work in all the firms he worked in; mostly especially in the banking sector, Oil and Gas.

To the best of my knowledge, he is a man that has zero tolerance to pettiness and divisiveness which has made him the Centre point which the re-orientation, politics in Uyo has taken, he believes it should be an issue based deal, where creativity, credibility and merit is considered as the only criteria for leading the people.

Without any form of sycophancy, Charles urbane and mien conduct makes him the most approachable public servant in the history of Uyo Leaders. This is evidenced in his uncontestable and passionable   readiness to receive whoever comes his way and support young youths to rise to the vision of greatness.

Mr. Charles is a goal-getter and a profitable servant. His name rings like Monday bell in most financial institutions. He is a beacon of hope in some of the institutions in which he is a member such as: Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN); Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN); Nigeria Institute of Training and Development (NITD), Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority and the host of others.

His Excellency has placed an obligation upon the shoulders of Mr. Charles and in trust and enthusiasm; he has not failed in transforming the information sector as Akwa Ibom State is now a ‘national conversation’, and the media hub in Nigeria.

It gives me joy to join the numerous Akwa Ibomites at home and in diaspora to thank Governor Udom Emmanuel who has singled him out based on his track records and proven integrity. Against the background of his appointment, he has so far delivered and I have no doubt that he will perform exceedingly in the years ahead. 

I pray God for more grace in your life. God bless you and your family Sir. Shine on the emerging leader of Uyo!

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