MINISTERIAL LIST: EX-LAWMAKER LAUDS ESSIEN'S NOMINATION

By NBF NEWS

A former member of the House of Representative, Chief Effiong Ononokpono, has hailed the nomination of Chief Nduese Essien as a minister.

Ononokpono, who described Essien as a technocrat, explained that Acting President Goodluck Jonathan would not regret picking the former member of the National Assembly to work in his cabinet.

Speaking with newsmen on Thursday in Okobo, Ononokpono said that there couldn't have been a better choice for a ministerial position from Akwa Ibom State, considering the Acting President's aim of changing the anomalies in the country within a short time.

He stated that Essien was better than some of the immediate past ministers appointed by President Umaru Yar'Adua, adding that his (Essien's) input towards national development would be not be difficult to identify.

'I must thank Acting President Goodluck Jonathan for his foresight in picking Chief Nduese Essien. He is one man that is cherished among every discerning mind in this state.

'He is an excellent manager and from the much I know about him, he will definitely perform. Essien has what it takes to assist the Acting President in achieving his objectives.

'I can remember that Essien was one of the few vocal lawmakers in the House of Representatives, who spoke strongly against the excesses of the executive arm of government during the Chief Olusegun Obasanjo era,' Ononokpono stated.

Also, the former aide to the immediate past Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Chief Joe Udobia, described the nomination of Essien as the right step in the right direction.

Udobia expressed optimism that the nominee would pass the Senate screening and would not disappoint the people of the state and Nigerians in general.

'He (Essien) is a committed fellow. If he is not a good person that will perform, I will not mince words in telling anybody this. Many of us know that he is a different person from some of out today's politicians,' Udobia noted.