Akan Okon: Steady on the plough

By Joy Ebong

“Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men”. Prov. 22 : 29 kjv

Madiba Nelson Mandela, the world renowned black nationalist once said that “a fundamental concern for others in our individual and community lives would go a long way in making the world the better place we so passionately dreamt of.” This quote best describes the result oriented stewardship of Mr. Akan Okon, one of the longest serving members of Akwa Ibom State Executive Council.

Born 57 years ago on Nigeria’s Independence day, 1st October, Mr Akan Okon who hails from Mbiatok Itam, in Itu Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, bagged a Second Clas Upper Division in Business Administration from the University of Lagos, in 1987, and went further to obtain a Masters Degree (MBA) in Banking & Finance from the University of Calabar, in 1991.

Since he was called up by the past administration in 2013 to serve his motherland, Mr. Okon has remained loyal, highly resourceful and focused to deliver on every assignment he is given. With steady hands on the plough, he has proven integrity, capacity and resourcefulness in dealing with highly sensitive assignments with tangible results to show. He has made history as the only Commissioner who has served two successive administrations, circuiting around two ministries back to back. His contributions to Awka Ibom State in terms of economy, finance and special development endeavours are noteworthy.

Mr. Okon has served the State as Commissioner for Economic Development twice. He was first appointed in 2013 the Godswill Akpabio administration. While there, he was saddled with the responsibility of developing the economic blueprint for the fastest growing state in the country.

Again, in 2019, he was reappointed into the office with an additional responsibility to oversee the timely commencement of the Ibom Deep Seaport. Below are the offices he has held till date:

* Commissioner for Economic Development. Oct 2013 – April 2014

* Commissioner for Finance. May 2014 – May 2015

* Commissioner for Finance Jully 2015 – Oct 2016

* Commissioner for Housing and Special Duties. December 2016 – Sept 2018

* Commissioner for Special Duties and Aviation Development. Sept 2018 – May 2019

* Commissioner for Economic Development and Ibom Deep Seaport.

Jully 2019 till date.

NOTABLE PROJECTS SUPERVISED COMPLETED, COMMISSIONED AND ONGOING.

1. 21 story (Dakkada Towers) built, completed and commissioned by the Vice President of Nigeria. His Excellency Professor Yemi Osibanjo

2. Setting up Ibom Air, completed and commissioned for public consumption to generate revenue for the state and Country

3. Second runway at the Victor Attah Int’l Airport, built to 85% ongoing.

4. Power substations to power the airport built and completed, yet to be commissioned

5. Construction of commercial building at the Victor Attah Int’l Airport, (COMPLETED) .

6. Internal road project at the 4 point by sharaton hotels, Ikot Ekpene, (COMPLETED) .

7. Securing of Approval for the actualization of Ibom Deep Seaport

8. Setting a 30 years plan for the development of Akwa Ibom State

Mr. Akan Okon has served as member and team lead of notable committees including the following:

1. Board member: Victor Attah International Airport

2. Board member: Ibom Air

3. Member: Post Covid19 Action Recovery Economic Structures

4. Member: National Economic Council Implementation Monitoring Committee

5. Member: Akwa Ibom State Debt Management Council

6. Member: Public Procurement Council

7. State Coordinator Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Stimulus (NCARES)

8. Team Head: Akwa Ibom State Covid19 Action Recovery Structuring Committee.

Mr. Akan Okon’s remarkable performance is stemmed from his highly disciplined background and years of experienced as an accomplished Banker whose career in the sector spanned over two decades. He started his banking career with the Central Bank of Nigeria, where he worked in several departments the last being Assistant Manager, International Remittance Office of the same bank, in 1991.

Okon has also occupied top positions in reputable Banks such as Area Executive Standard Trust Bank [now UBA]; Head, Treasury and Financial Institution Department in First African Trust Bank Limited;Head, Investment Banking in First Atlantic Bank Plc, and Area Executive, South-South, First Inland Bank Plc where he distinguished himself in Investment Banking.

Few years after, he went into private practice having established his own Financial Advisory firm, Fantixis Investment Limited as the Managing Director/CEO of the company, where he held sway until his appointment in the Akwa Ibom State Executive Council in October,2013 as Commissioner for Economic Development, and later was redeployed to superintend over the State Ministry of Finance, Housing and Special Duties, Special Duties and Aviation Development, Economic Development and Ibom Deep Seeport a position he held till date.

Akan Okon came into government to better the prospects of the state and by extension better the lives of our people. Considering his diligence, it is believed that God through the State Governor, His Excellency Deacon Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, called him to serve.

In order to keep improving his capacity to serve, Okon has attended several professional training courses both within and outside the country and has also bagged several Awards, notably;

• Member, Chartered Institute of Bankers

• Associate, Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, (CITN)

• Fellow, Institute of Chartered Economists Nigeria (ICEN)

• Fellow, Institute of Sales Management

*Member of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio (MMI)

• Fellow, Chartered Institute of Leadership of Nigeria, (CILEAD)

. Institute of Direct Marketing, and lots more.

Akan is also a member of different professional bodies namely;

• Award of Excellence in Leadership and Enterprise, Redeemed Christian Church of God

• Paul Harris Fellow, Rotary International

• African Child Prize For Integrity And Professionalism, African Child Foundation

• Kwame Nkrumah Exemplary Leadership Award, West African Students’ Union Parliament

• Eminent Peace Ambassador, International Association of World Peace Advocate

• Distinguished Service Award (DSA),The Association of Heads Of Federal Establishment (AHFE)

• Award of Excellence,21st Century Icon Of Good Governance & Role Model To The Younger Generation,National Association Of Niger – Delta Students (NANDS)

• Award of Honour,IBEREDEM NAAKISS, National Association Of Akwa Ibom State Student’s (NAAKISS) Worldwide,Uyo Chapter.

• COMMISSIONER OF THE YEAR 2016

• AFRICAN DISTINGUISHED LEADERSHIP HONOR, Africa Student Union Parliament. (ASUP) and many more.

He is also a Patron of several socio-cultural and political associations.

Married to Mrs. Queen Okon with four adorable children, Akan is a man of many parts, an erudite public servant, Financial Expert, Philanthropist, Community Leader, a man of humble mien, honour and integrity, a strong believer in the principles of transparency, efficiency and accountability, a bridge builder, Team player, a lover of peace, change agent, as well as a devout Christian.