by By Elijah Ugani
Like the popular eye-catching, elegant double stemmed purple orchid, he came to the world with a clear vision. A vision with a great deal of symbolism like the orchid, that always shines at every opportunity given to radiate in a widespread family of flowering plants, with blooms that are often colourful and fragrant, like the orchid in him.
He was born great from a humble background in Agwagune, Biase, in the then South Eastern Nigeria.
Excellence is his second name, from Elementary to College to University, it was Distinction all the way as he sorjourned in his Academic pursuit from Agwagune to Itigidi, Abakaliki, Ugep and Okpoma in Yala, the Quality radiated at every point. Then to Ile-Ife in the then Western Nigeria and Zaria in the Northern part of the country, the legacies of Excellence imprinted his every step like a collosus.
Coming back to the first Capital of Nigeria’s Southern Protectorate, where he again Excelled to become the no 1. citizen of the revered Ivory Tower, the University of Calabar, no wonder, why HE Sen. (Prof.) Ben Ayade, still calls him the Vice Chancellor of Cross River State.
A Professor of Soil Science with records of research all over Nigeria and beyond, who has produced legends and academicians shining bright beyond the shores of Africa.
An adherent and lover of Culture, Tourism and Development of African Arts and artifacts. Little wonder he was appointed to serve Nigeria at the highest decision making body in the country, The Federal Executive Council as a Minister of the Federal Republic.
His trademark of Excellence has made him serve as a Federal board Chairman and member of different Federal boards and parastatals. He also became a Commissioner of his state at a very tender age of 31 and performed Excellently.
Now, Excellent performances have made him The Excellency of a beautiful state in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, a State Governed by two erudite Professors.
Together with his Digital Boss, these two Professors have pushed boundaries, created new frontiers, broken records and set them again, all in a bid to take CRS to greater heights
A trustworthy, reliable, and hardworking servant- leader of the people. As you celebrate you birthday today, I can only say your best is yet to come because you have produced many children both in Academics and Leadership.
Happy Gallant 69th Birthday to the Qunitessential Deputy Governor Of Cross River State.
God Bless You Sir.
Inyang Asibong
Commissioner, Ministry of International Development Cooperation (MIDC)
May 3rd, 2020
