First Female Akwa Ibom Deputy Governor Sworn In
04 Nov 2012: Moses Alao
The first female Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Barrister Valerie Ebe was sworn in on Saturday.
Ebe, who took over from the outgone deputy governor, Mr. Nsima Ekere who resigned last Wednesday, was confirmed on Friday by the Akwa Ibom House of Assembly as the new deputy governor based on an official letter sent to the House by Governor Godswill Akpabio.
Speaking after the swearing in, Governor Godswill Akpabio, stated that ''though gender was not a consideration in her appointment, a section of the public would definitely see her as being at the vanguard of our fight for more women participation in our governance.
“By her appointment, we now have a triumvirate of women in key positions like the chief judge, head of civil service and deputy governor. Akwa Ibom is definitely leading the revolution for gender equality in our country.”
''The swearing-in of Her Honour, Barrister Valerie Ebe as the new deputy governor of our dear state is historic. She is the first woman in the 25-year history of our dear state to occupy such a position. The burden of being the first is that her performance and achievements will either close or open more doors for women. She cannot afford to fail''.
The governor, who recalled that Ebe had served the state with honour and distinction, noted that her core values had been integrity, enthusiasm and great skills.
He, therefore, enjoined her to bring those attributes to her new office and see herself as a servant, indigene and friend of all the people of Akwa Ibom state.
He congratulated Ebe on her appointment and subsequent swearing in, and expressed hope that she would “put up an outstanding performance in the office and at the same time bring deep experience and a strong set of skills to this high office of public trust.”
He thanked the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Sam Ikon and members of the Akwa Ibom House of Assembly for the speedy confirmation of the appointment of Ebe’s appointment, urging Akwa Ibom people at home and abroad to extend to the new deputy governor the same cooperation and support, which they had extended to him over the years.