Etido Inyang Bags International Award For Power Sector Feats

 

For the Board's top performance and his overall accomplishments in both the private sector and public spheres, the League of African Development Students (LEADS-Africa), has conferred its prestigious Africa's Patriotic Personality Award on the Chairman — Board of Directors, Ibom Power Company, Engr. Etido Inyang. 

The presentation took place yesterday at the corporate office of Ibom Power in Uyo. Engr. Meyen Etukudo, Ibom Power Managing Director led other management staff to welcome the LEAD-Africa delegates.

Photo: The Chairman, Ibom Power Board, flanked by Engr. Meyen Etukudo, Ibom Power Managing Director,  other management staff and the League of African Development Students (LEADS-Africa) during the conferment of prestigious Africa's Patriotic Personality Award on the Chairman — Board of Directors, Ibom Power Company, Engr. Etido Inyang at the corporate office of Ibom Power in Uyo. 

Notable Africans honoured in the past by the group include; Hon. Ronald Chitotela, Zambia's Minister for Works; Prof. David John Francis, Chief Minister of the Republic of Sierra Leone; Dr. James Mwangi, CEO Equity Mortgage Bank of Kenya/East Africa; Hon. Nathaniel McGill, Chief of Staff to the President of Liberia; Alhaji Sayyu Dantata, MRS Holdings PLC -Lagos, Chief Edwin Devakumar, GED Dangote Industries Group, and a few other distinguished Africans.

Speaking during the presentation, Osikenyi Osisiogu of the Accra Institute of Technology, Ghana, and Secretary-General of LEADS-Africa said the Award was in recognition of Engr. Inyang's commitments towards Africa's quest for development, democratic dividends delivery, and self-reliance. 

He mentioned the chairman's 'antecedence of excellence' in the engineering sector and the achievements recorded by the company since he assumed office as head of the Board as their reasons for honouring him. 

"From his time at Schlumberger to Technical Adviser to Akwa Ibom State Government, and his brief stint as Commissioner for Special Duties and now on the Board of Ibom Power, he is a man consistently known for excellence".

In their continuous search for role models in Africa, they found one in Engr. Inyang, the group disclosed. 

"Africa's quest for development requires urgent efforts at local capacity building towards self-reliance in pursuit of the salient mandates in Africa hence the reason we celebrate Engr. Etido Inyang's leadership strides in driving Ibom Power Project predominantly with local content".

It commended the Akwa Ibom State Government for diversifying the state economy with huge investments in the power and aviation sectors, and expressed hope that the new Power Devolution law signed by President Muhammadu Buhari will unshackle Ibom Power to record more gains.

Responding, the chairman who hailed the group for creating a niche for itself and for their "serious and detailed" works across the African continent described the Award as unexpected yet exceptional. 

He said their recognition of Ibom Power for its modest efforts, despite not being among the biggest players in Nigeria and Africa's power sector means the company is on the right track. He noted however that Ibom Power has had its fair share of challenges but the determination, purpose and focus they have shown as a team has pulled it through at every turn. 

With the new law where Gencos can now play the role of Discos as well, the chairman was certain that the company having acquired the regulatory license earlier will break new grounds. He disclosed that already, talks are on-going with an investor to bring in 700 Megawatts of Power before the end of the current administration. 

He lauded the vision of Governor Udom Emmanuel with the Power for All Initiative which is indicative of his desire to power and light up the entire state. Inyang also commended the Governor-Elect, Pastor Umo Eno for showing passionate interest in the sector as captured in his ARISE Agenda with his promise to sustainably drive the growth of SMEs in Akwa Ibom, noting that it is the availability of constant power that will trigger the boom of SMEs.

He promised to always partner and collaborate with LEADS-Africa whether as a government official or a private citizen, noting that the group has proved to be outstanding in its roles and vision.

The group also presented a Corporate Mandate Award to Ibom Power Company which was received by the company's MD. 

LEADS-Africa delegates to the event were; Kobehi, Thierry Kossa

Regional Representative (Francophone)

L'University de Cocodyn, Ivory Coast; Osisiogu Osikenyi, Secretary-General, LEADS-Africa, Accra Institute of Technology, Ghana; Otar Mohammed (VP Partnerships) UPSA Accra —

Ghana; Okpegbuo Jennifer, 

Secretary for Gender, LEADS

Les Cours Sonu, Cotonou

Benin Republic; Siita Stephanie, Regional Representative (Anglophone)

AIT Accra; and a representative of the

National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Mr. Ofongekpe.