Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel has commended the outgoing Head of Civil Service, Mrs Ekereobong Akpan, for her meritorious service to the state.
Governor Emmanuel made the commendation during a valedictory Executive Council meeting held at the Executive Council Chamber, Government House, Uyo, to round up the tenure of the present administration.
He particularly applauded Mrs Akpan’s ingenuity in the running the state civil service, saying that her tenure was devoid of disharmony among the workforce.
Governor Emmanuel noted with delight her robust contributions to deliberations in the executive council, pointing out that the feat earned her the name “Mother of the Exco” and remarked that her exit would be greatly felt by members of the state executive council.
Mr Emmanuel noted that as Mrs Akpan bows out from active service her wise counsel would always be sought whenever the need arises and urged her to oblige from her wealth of experience.
He expressed the hope that her successor who would take over on the 29th of May would consolidate on the achievements recorded by Mrs Ekereobong Akpan and prayed God to protect her as she begins her journey in a new phase of life.
In a valedictory speech ladened with emotions, Mrs Ekereobong Akpan thanked God for keeping her alive and endowing her with wisdom that has enabled her make modest contributions to the growth of the state civil service and for the grace to bow out without blemish.
She expressed appreciation to Governor Emmanuel for granting her opportunity to serve from the 15th of November 2015 when she was appointed and lauded the state governor for his Labour friendly disposition which she noted has contributed to the Industrial harmony witnessed in the state.
She also thanked the governor for giving a listening ear to the yearnings of the state workers which also account for the massive support he garnered during the just concluded elections.
Mrs Akpan used the occasion to pour encomiums on the Governor for being the first to set up modalities for implementation of the new minimum wage in the country and the priority attention given to workers welfare by way of prompt payment of salaries, entitlements, training and retraining of workers for optimum productivity as well as payment of pension to retirees .
While appreciating members of the Exco for their cooperation which brought about the success story, the Head of Service prayed God to grant the state chief executive success in the second tenure and assured of her readiness to positively contribute her quota to the success of the administration, saying that she is retired but not tired.
