Governor Godswill OBOT AKPABIO
Obong (Barr.) Godswill Obot Akpabio, was born on 9th December, 1962, to Obot Akpabio and Madam Lucy Obot Akpabio (Nee Inyang Etoh) of the Okuku Udo Akpabio family of Ukana Ikot Ntuen, Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
Barrister Godswill Obot Akpabio completed his primary education at Methodist Primary School, Ukana, where he obtained a Distinction in the First School Leaving Certificate Examination. He was admitted into the prestigious Federal Government College, Port Harcourt, Rivers State and where he completed his WAEC and GCE A’ Levels.
Obong Akpabio, attended the University of Calabar , Calabar, Cross River State, and the Nigeria Law School, Lagos. He graduated in law and was called to the Nigerian Bar. Akpabio embarked on Legal Practice during his National Youth Service Corps year in Lagos and has since remained in practice.
A devout Christian imbued with true greatness wrapped in simplicity and a strong, unshakable faith in the will of God.
He undoubtedly, latched onto the indelible footsteps of his grandfather, late Okuku Udo Akpabio, 1st Warrant Chief in Ikot Ekpene province, his uncle late Dr. I. U. Akpabio, Minister of Education/Internal Affairs in the then Eastern Nigeria, and his cousin, Senator (Justice) Nsima Akpabio, of the Second Republic.
The story of Obong (Barr.) Godswill Obot Akpabio’s political life is that of continuous service to humanity:
• He was General Senior Prefect at the Federal Government College, Port Harcourt , Rivers State.
• Member NPN (National Party of Nigeria ) and Personal Assistant to Senator Nsima Akpabio, 1983.
• Honourable Speaker of Parliament, Students’ Union Government, University of Calabar .
• Chairman, Arc. Victor Attah 2nd Term Rally and Mobilization Declaration Committee 2002 for Ikot Ekpene.
• Chairman, Obasanjo/Atiku Presidential Campaign Rally and Mobilization Committee in Akwa Ibom State 2003
• Chairman, Attah/Ekpenyong 2003 Campaign Rally and Mobilization Sub-
committee.
• Youth Ambassador
of Nigeria (by the National Youth Council of Nigeria ).
• Most Outstanding Commissioner in Akwa Ibom State 2005.
• The prestigious “lberedem Ibibio” title.
• Holder of various other Chieftaincy titles such as Ukai Ibibio, Ibatai Iman Ibom, Obong Iberedem Ekid, Obong lfiok Ibesikpo, Obong Idorenyin Ini, Ubok Udom Ikot Ekpene, Adaha /tu, Ntanta Oro, Iberedem Nsit Alai, Itai Odoro Ikot, Ubok Udom Ukpum etc.
• AIT/Ray Power award for Excellence In Local Government Administration/Reforms in Nigeria.
Man of the Year award at the Niger Delta Leadership Award (NDELA). These honors, expectedly, endeared him to the people, leading to general acceptability. A grassroots politician and a Patron of more than 178 Youth Organizations in Nigeria. A facilitator of Akwa Ibom State Chapter of National Coalition for the Continuity of Reforms Agenda (NCCRA) of Mr. President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR. A facilitator of Movement for National Accommodation and Continuity (MONACO), another organization committed to the sustainability of the Reforms Agenda of the present democratic dispensation.
There is no much need repeating the obvious about this uncommon man. He has demystified government and governance. His uncommon transformation in Akwa Ibom state has shown that with determination, honesty and political will, the fortunes of the masses can be changed positively by the government.
From a rustic state capital in 2007, Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital has become a destination. With world class infrastructure, the Akwa Ibom is a leading light in Nigeria.
Ladies and Gentlemen, it will be a journey in futility because of time constraint to start to enumerate what this uncommon governor has achieved in the last seven years, unless we have to stay here till daybreak Please permit me to present to you Governor Godswill Obot Akpabio, the champion of uncommon transformation to step forward to receive this prestigious award as Nigerian Newsworld Man of the Year.