GOV. IMOKE CHIEF OF STAFF THAT PEOPLE DON’T KNOW By Igboke, Stanley Patrick I have watched with admiration the ‘select’ cabinet members of our dynamic Governor Sen. Liyel Imoke’s led administration right from the outset in 2007 and how most of them have discharged their duties creditably and professionally. In the midst of all the successes recorded thus far by this administration, one man has remained outstanding, but often times not recognized or notice by an average Cross Riverian. He is Hon. (Dr.) Alex Egbona the “Chief of Staff” to the Governor. Dr. Alex Egbona is an enigmatic and dynamic technocrat whose achievements in life have been driven by unrelenting hard-work and excellence. A debonair and suave politician with an unparalleled sense of professionalism, he has through tremendous burst of creativity and stupendous energy, carved a successful political niche in the State. Born on October 15, 1964 and nurtured in Agbara Ekureku, he attended Primary School, Egboronyi in Abi Local Government Area of the State. He was also at Agbo Comprehensive Secondary School from 1975-1980/1982 after which he proceeded to the Federal School of Arts and Science, Ogoja for his Higher School Certificate. Honourable Egbona’s quest for the Golden Fleece took him to a second generation ivory tower in the country, the University of Port Harcourt where he graduated with B. Sc. Ed. (Hons) Degree in Economics in 1990. After completing his mandatory national youth service in Kaduna State where he taught at the famous Kaduna State Polytechnic, Zaria, the enigmatic economist returned to the State in 1992. His crave for politics manifested that year when he contested and won election as a Councilor under the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC). He did not stop there. Finding the magnetic pull of politics irresistible, he embraced the soapbox game full time, which surreptitiously blossomed into a successful career. He contested and was elected into the ill-fated Cross River State House of Assembly in 1998, which inauguration was aborted by the sudden death of the then Head of State, Late General Sani Abacha. His desire for more educational laurels soared to a new height in 1996 when he obtained a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Calabar. He equally holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration also from the same University. In February, 2014 he bagged a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) in Educational Administration and Planning with Special interest in Policy Formulation and Implementation. Honourable Egbona’s appointment as special Assistant, Special Duties to then Governor of Cross River State, Mr. Donald Duke was another milestone in his string of achievements. His invaluable contribution and excellent service to the Duke administration earned him a higher appointment as Deputy Chief of Staff and member of the Cross River State Executive Council, a position he held till the end of that administration on May 29, 2007. Although his illuminating political career may have towered above other equally outstanding aspects of his life, Dr. Egbona has held other top management positions including the Managing Director of Abi Marketing Company (Abi Mart). He has also been a political and economic consultant to eminent politicians and corporate bodies within and outside Cross River State. Distinctively also, Dr. Egbona is a member of some professional organizations including the Nigeria Institute of Management and Nigeria Chartered Economists. Extremely unassuming, urbane and dignified in his public posturing, Hon. (Dr.) Alex Egbona’s appointment as the Chief of Staff and member of the State Executive Council by His Excellency Sen. Liyel Imoke is the latest benchmark that is radiant in his harvest of success. He is happily married to Mrs. Veronica Alex Egbona and they are blessed with children. This delectable Nigerian who loves reading, politicking, travelling and making friends amongst his other hobbies is immensely imbued with certain qualities that denote him and believes strongly in the enhancement of the down-trodden in our society. He believes that “Leadership is a call to serve the populace and not at all a call for the populace to serve him. He believes that, leadership is a call to enrich the lives of the populace via your policies, programmes and projects. It is never a call to enrich oneself. He also believes that, leadership is a privilege to positively impact the lives of the populace. It is as well an opportunity to leave a landmark for posterity, which will equally outlive you/speak for you, years after leaving the stage”. No wonder he has turned around the lives of many across the State through his unwavering philanthropic gestures. Taking a leaf from this adage that “the reward for hard-work and success is more work”, then as the 2015 general elections draws nearer, it has become imperative for people like Hon. (Dr.) Alex Egbona to be considered for a higher responsibility at the national level. Therefore, I dare make bold to say that history will not exonerate us from the wishful sin of omission if Dr. Egbona is not given the opportunity to represent Abi/Yakurr Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives having proven his capabilities in different capacity of being a worthy representative. He understands the game, He has the charisma, and his pragmatic, negotiative and persuasive abilities are superb which is what we need at the Federal level. His party, the People’s Democratic Party should make no mistakes about this. Igboke, Stanley Patrick a Social commentator and a Business Development Consultant. Writes from Calabar.
Posted on: Thu, 24 Jul 2014 19:53:57 +0000
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