Akwa Ibom Gets Female Deputy Governor

Following the resignation of Mr. Nsima Ekere on October 31, the Akwa Ibom Chief Judge, Justice Idongesit Ntem-Isua, on Saturday, in Uyo, swore in Mrs.Valerie Ebe, as the first female Deputy Governor of the state.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Ebe’s nomination was confirmed by the Akwa Ibom House of Assembly on November 2, based on the letter sent to the house by Governor Godswill Akpabio.

Akpabio said, “Although gender was not a consideration in the appointment, a section of the public would definitely see her as being at the vanguard of our faith for more women participation in government… By her appointment, we now have a triumvirate of women in key positions like the Chief Judge, Head of Civil Service and one Deputy Governor… Akwa Ibom is definitely leading the revolution in gender equality in the country,’’ he said.

The governor further remarked that the swearing-in of Ebe as the new deputy governor was historic because she was the first woman in the 25-year history of the state to occupy such a position. Ebe hails from Mkpat Enin Local Government Area of the state. She was born on March 26, 1947 and had served as commissioner for culture and tourism and commissioner for environment.