Governor Udom Emmanuel has announced the appointment
of Comrade Aniefiok Iwaudofia as Senior Special Assistant on Youth Development
and Mobilization (Youth Matters).
The Governor, who officially announced Comrade
Iwaudofia’s appointment on Saturday, July 18, 2015, during the Government House
Monthly Prayer Meeting, said he was the best choice for the office.
Amongst the Governor’s many laudable actions, the
appointment of Comrade Iwaudofia, which is inextricably tied to hard work,
humility, loyalty and unparallel self-discipline, has received endless ovations
from Akwa Ibom people at home and in Diaspora.
Comrade Iwaudofia, who has been severally described as
a round peg in a round hole, until his appointment, was Head, Public Affairs
Department of Universal Energy Resources Limited. He holds a Master of Science
Degree in Professional Communication from Clark University, Worcester,
Massachusetts, USA; a Post Graduate Certificate in Management Communication
from Academy of Management, Lodz, Poland, and a Bachelor of Science Degree
(B.Sc Second Class Upper) in Government/Public Administration from Abia
State University, Uturu, Abia State.
Having served three consecutive administrations in the
state (under Obong Attah, Godswill Akpabio and Udom) spanning a period of 14
years as youth leader, it was gathered that Mr. Iwaudofia, a certified member
of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and American National Communication
Association (NCA), beat two serving Local Government Chairmen and 13 other
Youth Leaders in the state to emerge the Governor’s choice for the plump
position.
Known for his humility, selflessness, honesty, hard
work, focus, discipline, intelligence and commitment to duty, Comrade
Iwaudofia, from Ibiono Ibom LGA, is Secretary General of the Akwa Ibom State
Chapter of National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN).
A top government source hinted that Mr. Iwaudofia's
stint in the private sector, having occupied an enviable position of a
Spokesperson (Public Affairs Officer) in an Oil Producing Company, may have
influenced the Governor's decision to appoint him as the youth helmsman ahead
of others given the fact that the Governor himself came from a private sector.
With unrivalled experience in Youth Affairs,
superlative Academic Background/ Exposure and being a purpose-driven
individual, there is no doubt that he will add value to the task given him. His
appointment is believed to be yet another giant climb that will make Akwa Ibom
youths to be more productive, not just in their individual endeavours but also
in the areas of sustainable empowerment, training and development.
Investigations revealed that Mr Iwaudofia had in 2001
served as the President, National Association of Akwa Ibom State Students (
NAAKISS WORLDWIDE) , Chairman of Ibiono Ibom Local Government Youth Council btw
2002 - 2007, Permanent Member Akwa Ibom Youth Caucus, Special Assistant to the
Executive Chairman of Ibiono Ibom Local Government Council on Youth Matters (2004
-2007), Personal Assistant to the Speaker, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly (2007
– 2010), President, African Graduate Students in Poland - 2008, Vice
Secretary, International Students Union, Clark University, Massachusetts - USA
in 2009.
His appointment underscores the Governor's resolve to
fix the best and the right persons at various positions of governance and his
determination to economically empower, develop and tackle unemployment Head-on
and ultimately engage the youths productively.
