Udom sacks SSG, appoints Ekuwem as replacement


Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, has sacked his Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Etekamba Umoren and replaced him with Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem.

A statement signed by Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Charles Udoh, said the appointment of a new SSG “is part of a continuous effort to rejig governance structure of state which started with the swearing-in of two new commissioners, less than two months ago.”

Ekuwem, who will assume duties today, holds a Bachelors Degree in Engineering Physics, Masters Degree in Physics, Masters Degree in Electronic and Electrical Engineering (Microcomputer-based Instrumentation and Control Engineering) and a doctorate in Electronic and Electrical Engineering (Computer-based Instrumentation and Control Engineering).

Until his appointment, Ekuwem was the founder and CEO of Teledom Group, a former national president of the Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) and a former president of Nigeria Internet Group (NIG).

He is the immediate past chairman of the Board of Nigerian Export Processing Zone Authority (NEPZA).

The newly-appointed SSG, from Ofi Oda in Mbo Local Government Area will be sworn-in today at the Government House, Uyo.

“The Government of Akwa Ibom State thanks the erstwhile SSG, Umoren, for his services to the state and wishes him well in his future endeavours,” the statement said.

Until his appointment, Umoren, from Essien Udim, was permanent secretary, Government House in the Godswill Akpabio’s regime.

He is the second cabinet member from Ikot Ekpene senatorial district to be sacked this month. The first was the former state commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs, Mr. Udo Ekpenyong, who was sacked on January 4.