By Churchill Umoren<\/p>\n
When I first met the former Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government,\u00a0 Umana Okon Umana, his simplicity and unassuming nature were\u00a0 overwhelming. This was so because I had heard stories of how powerful and influential this soft spoken Ibibio technocrat,\u00a0 born in Ndiya, Nsit Ubium Local government Area of Akwa Ibom State, was.<\/p>\n
I had taken a flight from Abuja to Uyo, and was picked up by one of his drivers . I met him in his home. He was warm. Umana was anxious to make me feel comfortable. Later he and some of commissioners and kinsmen settled to watch an Arsenal game . He is an Arsenal fan.\u00a0 For the few days I stayed , this former pupil of Edgerly primary School, and his principal,\u00a0 Governor Godswill Akpabio, were\u00a0\u00a0 perfect hosts, even though I was a few miles away at the Meridien.<\/p>\n
When speculations became rife that Umana would succeed Akpabio, most Akwa Ibomites were not surprised considering his loyalty to the people,\u00a0 Akpabio\u00a0 the party, his pedigree, discipline and tendency to be a workaholic among others.<\/p>\n
Umana\u2019s loyalty to Akpabio right from the days of the primaries was one of the reasons most people were surprised at the turn of events and eventual removal of Umana. In 2007 when Akpabio faced real challenges at the primaries where over 50 aspirants, most formidable, showed interest in Governors Lodge, Umana an Ibibio, threw his hat in the ring for a man from Annang, Akpabio, and outsider then.<\/p>\n
He is a workaholic who gave his all at all times. He was the engine room of the Akwa Ibom state Government and he worked closely with his principal to ensure the success of the \u2018uncommon Trasformation Agenda of Akpabio that is the envy of most states.\u00a0 This was his principal\u2019s testimony in 2011 \u201c Umana, an Ibibio man, from Uyo Senatorial district, having served creditably in the first term, was the most suitable for the office\u2026He is a technocrat with a team spirit, he is an administrator with exceptional strength, ability and vision. The depth of his understanding of policies and their backgrounds proved vital in our administrative efforts\u201d<\/p>\n
Umana is no doubt a very honest administrator who cherishes humility. Even when everyone knew he was a strong pillar in the administration he gave all the applause to his principal. He had said \u201c I think my experience can only be discussed in the context of the programmes and policies of the administration of Chief Akpabio\u2026as a member of the team, my experiences have been rewarding and very fruitful because anybody who comes to Akwa Ibom is amazed at the pace of development\u201d<\/p>\n
So when talks about a disagreement between both men came up, it was a shock, because Umana born 54 years ago , was a loyal man. First it was his move to NDDC and then speculations he would be removed. And then sadly\u00a0\u00a0 he left under controversial circumstances.<\/p>\n
Umana who marked his birthday this week had showed leadership qualities and brilliance from his days St Patrick\u2019s College, Calabar, where he left with Grade one, and was the best graduating student. He kept this on at the University of Calabar where he bagged a Second Class Upper degree in Economics. Got an MBA from University Of Port Harcourt and strings of professional qualifications from Columbia University, New York, London Business School among others.<\/p>\n
Umana who still wants to be the next chief Executive of Akwa Ibom state, has had stints in sundry sectors. He was a research assistant at the University of Calabar, joined the state public service in October 1989 as principal budget officer. In a few years buoyed by hard work , Umana became State Director of Budget in 1998. In October 2000, he was appointed Permanent Secretary in charge of the Budget office. He retired in 2003.<\/p>\n
The he began his sterling foray in the political terrain. He joined the Victor Attah\u2019s administration as Finance Commissioner; his astute management quality benefited the state immensely.\u00a0 He was also saddled with the chairmanship of the\u00a0 Inter ministerial Committee on Direct labour, Micro-credit, and the state\u2019s Programme Coordinating committee of the UNDP.<\/p>\n
Because Umana was an asset, Akpabio had wanted him to fill a ministerial spot in Abuja, but the spot was not available, so he took him in. And no doubt has no regrets.<\/p>\n
As his kinsmen urge him to join the race for 2015, Umana had no choice but to say yes.\u00a0 He said \u201c whatever level , regardless of the platform , you can make a difference. You should strive to serve in such a manner that when you leave, people would say , yes, you made a difference, made an impact or did your best.<\/p>\n
As we celebrate this astute technocrat at the young age of 54, I want to say say \u201c Yes\u201d he did his best as SSG, and there is no doubt Umana would make a difference and ensure the uncommon transformation is taken to the next level. Happy Birthday.<\/p>\n
By Churchill S. Umoren,\u00a0 Asokoro Abuja<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
By Churchill Umoren When I first met the former Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government,\u00a0 Umana Okon Umana, his simplicity and unassuming nature were\u00a0 overwhelming. This was so because…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":16543,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-16538","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-articles-opinions"],"yoast_head":"\n