Nigeria is a country makes of geographical communities with low or no development making a life out of this World for the dwellers. Many personalities in Nigeria do not reside in their community even local government chairmen and councilors including supervisors. Some once appointment arrived, they disappeared to the urban area forgetting about their community and reasons behind the appointment.
However, this is not the case of Ikot Oku Usung community in Northern Ukanafun where the commissioner for Local Government & Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Udo S. Ekpenyong is an indigene and activities member of the community. Ekpenyong was born on 28th August 1957 into the family of Samuel Ekpenyong Frank is happily married to Mrs. Elizabeth Udo Ekpenyong with four children.
Ekpenyong graduated from the University of Benin, Edo State, where he obtained a B.Sc degree in Microbiology and Enugu State University of Science and Technology for his M.Sc degree in Environmental Management.
Mr. Ekpenyong is known for his diligence, hard work, and started his career as a teacher and worked in various schools after which, he joined the private sector, where he served in various capacities. Later in 1995-1997, Ekpenyong was elected as Executive Chairman, Ukanafun Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. He was appointed as Acting State Secretary of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2003 and Special Adviser to the Governor on Political and Legislative Affairs, 2003-2005. He was also appointed as National Ex-officio member of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) in 2012 – 2016. Until his first appointment as Commissioner into the State Executive Council in 2016, he was the Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of Frabeth Nigeria Limited.
He is a seasoned politician who started from the grassroots and rose steadily in the political scene from the local to the State and to the National level. Ekpenyong belongs to different professional groups including; Nigeria Union of Teachers, Association of Chalk Manufacturers of Nigeria, Nigeria Society of Microbiology, and Environmental Management Association of Nigeria.
He bags three merit awards before his appointment into the state executive council board; Award for Sports Patronage in Nigeria from Sports Writers’ Association of Nigeria (SWAN) in 1997, Award of Excellence from Niger Delta Youth Movement (NDYM) in 2004, and Paul Harris Fellow from Rotary Club International in 2005.
Nevertheless, Ekpenyong is one personality who has the interest of his immediate community at heart. During his tenure as the Executive Chairman of Ukanafun Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, he refused to reside out the local government council quarters meant for staff of the council. Ekpenyong resided with his people and worked with them for the progress of Ukanafun Local Government.
Currently, Ikot Oku Usung community in Ukanafun Local Government Area is experiencing tremendous development in terms of infrastructure. Many indigenes of the community are now living a comfortable life under a comfortable shelter. The commissioner is currently constructing modern houses for many indigenes whose businesses are not enough to offer them one.
The people of Ikot Oku Usung Community praise the state governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel for the inclusion of Mr. Ekpenyong in the State Executive Council.
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