By Mfon Ufford
Acting as the official mouthpiece of the government, the Ministry of Information and Strategy plays an important role in the affairs of Akwa Ibom state.

Asides from being the main publicity organ of the government, the Ministry has to initiate, produce and run all publicity and public enlightenment activities on development programmes in the state, to uplift the image of the government within and outside the state.

Furthermore, the Ministry has the duty of debunking false news released by different media organisations.

The Ministry is responsible for liaising with other national media to ensure fair and equitable reportage of the state in public relations, aimed at protecting the good image of the state. Thus, the Ministry serves as the image maker of the government of the day.

No matter how many laudable projects an administration carries out, if the Ministry of Information and Strategy is poorly and ineffectively administered, such administration will receive little to no accolades for the great work it is doing.

Where such a ministry has poor leadership, it will not live up to the expectation of projecting a good image of the state and effectively disseminating information on government policies and programmes. This shows the sensitivity of the post of leadership for the ministry.

It is against this background that Governor Udom was very meticulous in picking a Commissioner for the Ministry. He had to select someone with a proven track record of excellence, competence, and public service. Meeting these qualities, Governor Udom settled for Comrade Ini Ememobong as the Commissioner for Information and Strategy.

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The family of Mkpisong Ememobong and Rosemary Essien, of the Use Ndon, Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area, welcomed their second son, Ini, into the world on Monday, 7 November 1983. Young Ini had his nursery education at the Calabar Preparatory Nursery School, Cross River State, and his primary education at Holy Child International Nursery and Primary School, Ikot Ekpene, after the creation of Akwa Ibom State in 1987. He thereafter attended St. Mary’s Science College, Abak, for his secondary education.

The University of Uyo admitted him in 2000 to study Linguistics and Nigerian Languages, and he obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in Linguistics in 2005. He thereafter proceeded to Taraba State for the compulsory one-year National Youth Service Corps Scheme; his place of primary assignment was Darul Arkam Koranic School, where he taught the English Language.

Not resting on his oars, upon completion of his National Youth Service Corps Scheme, he applied to study Law at the University of Uyo, got admitted in 2007, and completed the programme in 2012, acquiring a Bachelor of Law (LLB Hons) degree.

A year later, he proceeded to the Enugu Campus of the Nigerian Law School and was called to the Bar in 2014 as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

In 2016, he enrolled to study for a master’s degree in Peace and Conflict Studies, and completed the course in 2019, thus acquiring an M.A in Peace and Conflict studies. He is currently studying for his Doctorate Degree in Peace and Conflict Studies from the same university.

His public service to the people of Akwa Ibom, started in 2013, when he was appointed by former Governor Godswill Akpabio, as Special Assistant to the Governor on Student Matters; a position he held for two years. In 2015, he was thereafter appointed as Special Assistant to the Governor on Political Matters and served for one year. Between May 2016 and August 2020, he served as the Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Akwa Ibom State Chapter.

He was thereafter appointed by Governor Emmanuel Udom as Commissioner for Information and Strategy, a position he holds to date. His appointment did not go unnoticed; it drew loud applause from the media sector.

In a statement released by the Akwa Ibom chapter of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, it said “The Nigeria Union of Journalists, Akwa Ibom State Council, warmly congratulates the new members of the State Executive Council for being found worthy as team players in the Completion Agenda of His Excellency, Governor Udom Emmanuel. The NUJ is particularly excited about the appointment of Comrade Ini Ememobong as the Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Information and Strategy.

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“He has been a true friend, partner, and ally of the Union over the years, and we believe this new appointment will forge a stronger content of ideologies, values, and partnership in building better perspectives towards the development of the State. His appointment is well-deserved and we welcome him to the saddle wholeheartedly, especially as we mark the first anniversary of this leadership.”

Since he was appointed Commissioner, Comrade Ini has shown commitment towards fulfilling the vision of the Ministry of Information and Strategy which is “To be the most efficient information and communication institution which directs the dissemination of information on policies, programmes, and projects of Akwa Ibom State Government to the general public”.

He is also passionate about fulfilling the mission of the Ministry which is “To play a leading and proactive role in the formulation and implementation of sustainable information management strategies utilizing 21st century ICT platform to ensure an enlightened, well-informed, vibrant and stable polity as well as enhance value re-orientation among the citizenry”.

Some of the noteworthy publications of the ministry include Akwa Ibom Impact, Explore Akwa Ibom as well as Wetin Udom don do? For instance, the September to November 2020 edition of the Akwa Ibom Impact contains the laudatory message of the Federal Government to Akwa Ibom for keeping the state peaceful; showcases the profile of illustrious prominent sons and daughters of the State, including His Eminence, Sunday Mbang (A World Class Religious Leader), Vincent Enyeama (Former Super Eagles Goal Keeper and Most Capped Footballer in the National Team), Paul Usoro, SAN (Foremost Communication Lawyer and Former President of the Nigerian Bar Association), Professor Uduak Archibong (Distinguished Nurse Leader and one of the top 100 Nigerians in the United Kingdom to receive a Centenary Award), Nathaniel Bassey ( A Legendary Music Producer), among numerous others.

The magazine also showcases Governor Emmanuel’s signature projects, and sectoral achievements of the administration in terms of Lands and Housing, Power, Education, Science and Technology, Economic and Entrepreneurship Development, Health, Roads, Bridges, and Social welfare among others.

Furthermore, in the February 2022 Edition of the Explore Akwa Ibom publication, quick facts about the state are given, followed by the people, culture, and potential of the State. The publication also states the top 10 investment opportunities in the state to include Ibom Industrial City, Liberty Free Trade Zone, Agricultural Investments, Tourism and Hospitality, Large Gas Reserves, Power Sector, Crude Oil, Marine Transport, Aviation Sector, Ibom Deep Seaport. It also contains complimentary comments given about Governor Udom by Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, Dr. Ahmed Lawan (Current Senate President), and Nyesom Wike (Current Governor of Rivers State), among others.

The May 2022 edition of the Wetin Udom Don Do, lists out the hundreds of achievements under the resulted-oriented leadership of Governor Udom in terms of Industrialization, Aviation Development, Agriculture, Human Capacity Development, Infrastructure, Rural And Riverine Area Development, Security, Small And Medium Enterprises, Culture, and Tourism, Sports, Social Welfare.

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Another laudable project is the video series released by the Ministry, titled ‘The Promise Keeper’, which showcases projects executed by the Udom Administration in terms of road construction, infrastructural development, and renovation of health facilities among others.

This is in addition to other projects and programs of the ministry that showcase the achievements of the Udom Emmanuel Administration.

The activities of the Ministry of Information and Strategy have yielded positive fruit in attracting foreign direct investment to the state despite harsh economic realities in the nation. For instance, according to a 2021 report by the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics, 24 states attracted zero foreign direct investments. However, Akwa Ibom was excluded as it attracted such investments.

The state ranked 8th position among the states that attracted foreign direct investments. This is laudable.

Ini is a distinguished member of notable associations in the nation including the Nigerian Bar Association, the Association of Professional Protocol Practitioners in Nigeria, the Institute of Chartered Media and Arbitrators (where he is a Fellow) as well as the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations.

His contributions to humanity and society at large have not gone unnoticed. He was awarded by the Traditional Rulers Council, Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area as Eti Uwud (Good Example) Ibiono Ibom; the Humanitarian Service Award by the Rotary Club of Uyo Metropolis District 9142 Nigeria; Humanitarian Service Award by the Rotary Club of Uyo Metropolis District 9142 Nigeria.

The Akwa Ibom State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists gave him the Excellent Community Service Award. Furthermore, the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria gave him the Distinguished Service Award, and the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations named him ‘Man of the Year’

Ini Ememobong is a faithful member of the Church of Christ and is married to Mrs Chinonyerem Ini Ememobong. The marriage is blessed with three children. He turns 39 on Monday, November 7, 2022. In celebration of his birthday, he will be giving a business grant of One Hundred Thousand Naira (N 100,000) to thirty-nine (39) entrepreneurs in Akwa Ibom State.

To qualify, eligible entrepreneurs are to make a short video of their business, state how the One Hundred Thousand Naira (N 100,000) business grant will help in pushing forward their business, and thereafter post a short video in the comment section of the Facebook Post that advertised the grant (which will serve as their entry for the competition).

Happy birthday to the Comrade. Wishing him more prosperous years ahead in good health, wealth, and happiness.

Mfon Ufford, is an Akwa-Ibom-based political commentator