The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Umana Okon Umana, was at the 2022 Independent Awards conferred with the Minister of the year award.
The event was organised by Independent Newspapers Limited (INL), Publishers of Daily Independent, Saturday Independent and Sunday Independent Newspapers.
Umana who was represented at the event by his Media Aide, Mr. Iboro Otongaran, was honoured for his contributions towards the growth and development of the country through the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs. The award ceremony took place on Saturday 18th February, 2023 at a gala night at the Convention Centre of the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The award adds to the collection of awards and recognitions given to the Minister in appreciation of his sterling performance and achievements in public service.
Born 64years ago, Umana from his childhood left no one in doubt about a future that will be coloured by hard work and excellence. He was the best graduating student at St. Patrick’s College, Calabar in 1976 with Grade One.
He holds a B.Sc in Economics (Upper Division) from the University of Calabar and an MBA in Finance from the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Umana has attended specialized management courses such as the Senior Executive Program (May5-31,2002) of the Columbia University Graduate School of Business as well as the Senior Executive Program(1-27 February 2009) of the London Business School. He is a man committed to making a difference in public service.
A technocrat per excellence, Umana has over 25years experience in Public Finance and Management. During this period, he held the positions of the Akwa Ibom State Director of Budget; Permanent Secretary Budget and Hon Commissioner for Finance. He was the Secretary to Akwa Ibom State Government from June, 2007 to July, 2013.
Umana was also Chairman of the Steering Committee of the Akwa Ibom State/World Bank Community-based Urban Development Project. He also served as Chairman of the State Programme Coordinating Committee (SPCC) of the UNDP from 1997-2003.
He was the Gubernatorial Candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State in the 2015 general elections.
Umana Okon Umana was appointed the Managing Director/CEO of Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA) by President Muhammadu Buhari in September, 2016. As the MD/CEO of OGFZA, Umana initiated reforms and set timelines in service delivery that helped repositioned OGFZA as the premier agency of the Federal Government regulating and superintending over the operation of the oil and gas free trade zones in the Country. Under his watch as the MD/CEO of OGFZA, the agency won many global and national honours for efficiency and competitiveness in Ease of Doing Business.
He also worked to expand investment opportunities for oil and gas businesses through new projects such as the licensing of Notore Chemical Industries Limited, Onne, Rivers Stae; Liberty Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone, Akwa Ibom State; and Bestaf Maritime and Industrial Zone, Kirikiri/Tincan Island, Lagos State, as oil and gas free zones.
In July, 2022, President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Umana Okon Umana as the Hon Minister of Niger Delta Affairs.
As Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Umana has initiated reforms and institutionalized transparency and accountability in the running of his Ministry and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). He also facilitated the constitution and inauguration of a substantive board for the NDDC.
To any unbiased observer, Umana’s trajectory is a tribute to courage, service, humility, loyalty to his people and country, integrity, generosity, resilience, diligence and spirituality. He has demonstrated physical prowess, social renown, political mastery, friendly finesse, character comeliness, marital exemplariness and dispositional humility.
Umana is happily married to Pastor (Mrs.) Florence Umana and the marriage is blessed with four children.
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