On Friday, November 25, 2016, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel forwarded the names of 20 persons to the State House of Assembly for appointment as Commissioners and Special Advisers.
The names were read on the floor of the House by the Clerk of the Assembly, Mrs Mandu Umoren at plenary and later referred to the House Committee on Judiciary, Justice, by the Speaker, Mr Onofiok Luke, who presided over the sitting.
Whereas, the 20-man list showed that nine of the nominees were part of the State Executive Council dissolved by the governor on Oct. 15, eleven were new, including the distinguished Mr. Akan Okon, who had served in the previous cabinet as Finance Commissioner.
Mr. Akan Okon's reappointment as Commissioner was greeted with massive jubilation, as many who had appealed to the Governor to consider reappointing him (Akan Okon). took to the streets of Itu Local Government Area and trucked his residence to express their sincere happiness and outmost solidarity for Mr Akan Okon.
But this was not surprising, for he (Akan Okon), right from when he was appointed Commissioner, up until when the cabinet was dissolved, distinguished himself, in not only his Ministry, but in reaching out to the less-privileged Members of the society.
Mr. Okon while serving as Commissioner for Finance had helped in interpreting, financially, Governor Emmanuel's excellent vision and peculiar programmes for the massive industrialisation of Akwa Ibom State, by was constantly engaging his mind and intellect to formulate programs and policies that drive sustainable development to the State.
With his dyed-in-the-wool professionalism and managerial skills of men and resources, Mr Okon helped in the efficient management of the State’s resources. He developed a sound financial and cash management model and strategy, to ensure an effective and efficient delivery of key Government programmes.
Through his efforts, the Ministry of Finance, through the Internal Revenue Service, explored many untapped internal revenue sources and plugged leakages, hitherto, experienced, thus, increasing monthly Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to a very good level.
Mr. Akan Okon piloted the 1st Akwa Ibom State
Revenue Summit on the theme: ‘Maximising Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) Potentials: A Collective Responsibility', hosted by the Ministry of Finance on April 6th and 7th, 2009. The Summit which came up with positive recommendations and coupled with the efficient managerial inputs of Mr. Akan Okon, have since yielded fruits and is being applied till date.
Within the short stay of Mr Okon as Commissioner in the Ministry of Finance, a new treasury Complex was built for the Office of the Accountant-General. The accommodation problem, hitherto, faced by this very sensitive Office was solved, as the new building provided enough offices for the Treasury Staff to discharge their services effectively. This building is networked to link up with key Government officials to monitor the accounts of the State, as there is an On Line Real Time Internet Service.
Mr Akan Okon has continually given hope to the hopeless and to many, a reason to smile. He has graciously sponsored some indigenes of Itu Local Government Area to secondary and tertiary institutions and dolled out empowerment programmes to unemployed youths of the area.
As Mr Akan Okon is being screened by the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly today, it is believed that he will not relent efforts in contributing his zeal and passion, for the development of Akwa Ibom State, in which ever Ministry he will be subsequently posted to. Assuredly, with the Membership of Mr. Akan Okon in the State Executive Council, it can be safely said that the lofty dreams of the present administration of Governor Udom Emmanuel will be brought to the fore.
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