Former Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Atuekong Don Etiebet, CON, is a trailblazer that deserves national celebration, honour and respect, National President, Holy Family College, HOFACO, Old Boys Association, Oku Abak, Abak Local Government Area, Professor Joseph Essien, has declared.
Prof Essien stated this at the Third Quarter Dinner in honour of Atuekong Etiebet organised by the Petroleum Club Lagos, held at the Metropolitan Club, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The Dinner which had a paper presentation on the topic, “The Future of Gas and the Nigerian Economy”, delivered by the Guest Speaker, Engr Tony Attah, a former Managing Director/CEO of the Nigerian Liquified Natural Gas, (NLNG), also had the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt Hon. Obong Emem Ekperikpe Ekpo, represented by his Technical Assistant, Engr. Abel Nsa, while the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, was the Special Guest of Honour, who paid a glorying tribute to Atuekong Don Etiebet for his innumerable contributions to human and societal development, while Dr. Imo Itsueli chaired the occasion.
In his message delivered to the celebrant, the HOFACO Old Boys Association President, Prof Essien said the Dinner was put together to honour Chief Atuekong Etiebet whom he described as a worthy Old Boy of Holy Family College (HOFACO), Oku Abak, Akwa Ibom State, a trailblazer and an idol of the association.
He noted that the former Minister of Petroleum is someone who has done so much for his Alma Mater and would continue to do more, stating that Atuekong Etiebet is a worthy ambassador of his Alma Mata where he schooled before proceeding to Imperial College, London, for studies and later pioneered ICT development in Nigeria by the establishment of the first indigenous computer company, Data Sciences Nigeria Limited, which he ran until he was picked to head the Petroleum Ministry as Minister, where he distinguished himself by bringing his training as a Petroleum Engineer to bare.
“On behalf of all the Old boys of HOFACO, I say a big congratulations to you on your new age and achievements. I pray that the good God preserve you for us and continue to bless you”, he said.
Also speaking, a favourite and frontline candidate for the position of HOFACO President, General Ifiok Martin Obot (Rtd), in his goodwill message noted with delight the many achievements of Chief Etiebet at 80, stating that the revered elder statesman deserves to be celebrated by his Old Boys Association and friends.
He also noted that Etiebet’s contributions in nation building especially his pioneering role in ICT development is very innovative and pivotal and his contribution as Minister of Petroleum Resources in the gas development became a major pillar in Nigeria’s economy and energy sector development which cannot be easily wished away.
Gen Obot said Atuekong Etiebet remains till date the only Nigerian who personally founded and financed a national political party: the National Centre Party of Nigeria (NCPN) which won elections nationwide and prayed for good health and long life for the elder statesman.
HOFACO Old Boys present at the event include the President, Prof. Joseph Essien, Mr Ray Ekpu, Ambassador (Gen.) George Umoh, (Rtd) Gen Ifiok Obot (Rtd), Barr. Emmanuel Umoren, Engr Iboro Etiebet, Barr. Aniekan Etiebet and the celebrant, Atuekong Don Etiebet.
Holy Family College, Oku Abak, was established by the Holy Family Order of the Catholic Church in 1942. Since inception, the school has turned out thousands of students, who have excelled in various carriers, and have made history in and outside the country. The school has made its mark in various schools exams like Higher School Certificate Exams, West African Schools Certificate Examination, Senior Secondary School Examination, IJMB, JAMB, London GCE etc. It has also produced many prominent clergy such as the Late Bishop Ephraim Silas Obot. The school has produced an Executive Governor, a Deputy Governor, several Ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, many Justices of the Court of Appeal, the first female Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State and Judges of High Court in various States in Nigeria, numerous Senior Advocates of Nigeria, professors in many different professions, Military Generals in the Army, Air Force and Navy, Authors who have made impressive contributions in the academia. etc.
