Akpabio drops Umana as Akwa Ibom SSG, appoints Gabriel Emmanuel

The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Obong Godswill Akpabio, has appointed Udom Gabriel Emmanuel as the new Secretary to the State Government.

Udom is from Onna Local Government Area of Eket Senatorial District, Akwa Ibom State, and replaces Umana Umana, who was sacked for declaring his ambition to contest the gubernatorial race in 2015.

The party had asked him to drop his ambition and had already offered him the post of Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

Sources say Akpabio was infuriated that Umana made the declaration without his knowledge, especially with the fact that the PDP zonal arrangement did not favour Umana.

A statement on Tuesday by the Commissioner for Information in Akwa Ibom State, Aniekan Umana, said the appointment of Emmanuel takes immediate effect.

It reads thus: “Mr. Emmanuel, a great Ibibio son until his appointment was an Executive Director on the board of Zenith Bank Plc from December 2006. Mr. Emmanuel also doubled as Non-Executive Director, Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) from 2008 to date and Director, Nigerian Interbank Settlement Systems (NIBBS) from 2009, Non-Executive Director, Zenith Bank, United Kingdom; Zenith Bank – Gambia; Zenith Bank – Sierra Leone; Zenith Insurance; Zenith Pensions and Custodian; Zenith Securities; Zenith Trustees and Zenith Registrars.

“A corporate strategist and an experienced private sector player, Mr. Emmanuel has wide experience in various blue-chip organizations such as Price Water House and Diamond Bank Plc.

“His Excellency, Chief Godswill Akpabio expressed appreciation of the Government and the good people of Akwa Ibom State to the erstwhile Secretary to Government, Obong Umana Okon Umana for his dedication and contributions to the uncommon transformation of Akwa Ibom State.

“The Governor further described Obong Umana Okon Umana as a brother and a friend who displayed exceptional competence in the discharge of his duties in the last six years. He wished Obong Umana Okon Umana success in his future endeavours whilst congratulating the new appointee, Mr. Udom Emmanuel.”

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