I remember vividly, having been privileged to be Mr. Emmanuelfs primary school classmate in the 70s. We were young men, precocious, daring, purpose-driven and hopeful for a future we knew God had laid before us. We had every reason to be hopeful, because the kind of education we received even at the primary school level was intensive both in its intellectual flourishes on moral platforms. It couldnft have been otherwise, because the Headmaster of the primary school had zero- tolerance for indolence or tardiness. He expected his students to see the endless possibilities that God had thrown our way, and had thus endeavored to imbue and inculcate in us those values of hard work, probity and a deep sense of responsibility.
I can recall back then the novel idea of asking students or pupils as we were then called, to come prepared because you may be called upon to conduct the mandatory morning devotional service. Even though we were scared of facing a humongous crowd of students and teachers, it helped prepare us to become unfazed with the art of public speaking. The Headmaster of our primary school, in Afaha area of Awa clan in Onna Local Government of Akwa Ibom state was the father of the SSG-, Mr. Nkanang (God bless him, for instilling in us those virtues that have stood us out today and presented a platform for self discovery and advancement.)
Udom was a mathfs whiz-kid and his sense of altruism and brotherliness manifested back then when he offered to mentor and teach some of us who were mathematically challenged. I remember getting scared going to our mathfs class because of my manifest deficiencies in that subject, and having been blessed to have my seat next to the SSG, he would always reassure me that everything would be fine, that mathematics was not that confounding, all I needed to do was to understand the concepts and apply them. Through his encouragement, I was able to pass the dreaded mathematics and went on to graduate from primary school and on to other academic pursuits. I have never stopped telling this story to our school mates, most of who today are doing well in their chosen careers, and they will always chorus gthatfs Udom for you- caring, dependable and unselfish.h
I am not surprised that Udom went on to pursue a course of training in Accounting, which obviously is heavy in maths, and went ahead to have a fulfilled and impactful career in banking. With degrees in accounting earned from the University of Lagos, masters in Corporate Governance earned from Leeds Metropolitan University, UK, to several professional certificates garnered from Ivy League colleges like the Columbia Business School, New York, Udom is one tested technocrat who has excelled in every task or assignment given to him. That he rose to become an Executive Director in one of the most consequential banks in Nigeria-Zenith, attests to his profound knowledge and the breadth and scope of his skills-set.
Udom has remained true to his foundational principles and values by exalting God and contributing greatly to the development of HIS VINEYARD. We were raised under the strict diet of biblical injunctions and moral ethos as practiced by the Qua Iboe Church. His father like mine, are elders of that church , and Udom has not veered off-course. He has remained a rock -solid member of the Qua Iboe Church, and is also an elder in the church. He has watered the seed of Christianity both in Lagos, where he was domiciled before his appointment as the SSG, in my community and indeed all over the country. He is not afraid to celebrate God and hold Him aloft as the loadstar of his life.
Udom has been actively involved in the developmental efforts of his community and the state at large. He has empowered hundreds of people of Akwa Ibom extraction and encouraged them to put in the hard work and to expect the accompanying success and appreciation. A great husband and a wonderful father to his kids, he, indeed is an example of what the Americans will call a "total package"
Thanks
