Senator (Dr) Akon Eyakenyi Distinguished Senator Akon Eyakenyi PhD is the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State.
A native of Mbokpu Eyo Akan in Urue-Offong/Oruko Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State by birth and Oron Local Government Area by marriage. Senator Akon Eyakenyi is married to Elder Etim Eyakenyi with 5 adorable children and 10 grand children.
Senator Akon Eyakenyi, PhD attended Government Primary School, Uko Uyukim, Oron; Methodist Teacher’s Training College, Oron; University of Cross River State (UNICROSS), Uyo; and University of Calabar, Calabar where she obtained First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC) in 1974; Teacher’s Grade II Certificate (TCII) in 1979; Nigerian Certificate in Education (NCE) in 1986; Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) in1990; Master of Education (M.Ed) in 2000 and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in 2014.
Senator Akon Eyakenyi, PhD started her professional career as an auxiliary teacher and upgraded to Mistress II and I, Education Officer and Senior Education Officer while working for the then Cross River State Ministry of Education, Akwa Ibom State Secondary Education Board, and lastly, Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Education before retiring voluntarily from the civil service.
Senator Dr. Akon Eyakenyi’s political journey started with her appointment in 1991 as Supervisor for Education, Youth, Sports and Culture and Executive Chapter President of Better Life Programme in Oron Local Government Area. She was subsequently appointed as Board Member 1, Akwa Ibom State Secondary Education Board in 1999, Commissioner for Industry, Commerce and Tourism, 2000 – 2005, Chairman Akwa Ibom State Technical Schools Board, 2013 – 2014, Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development – 2014 – 2015, Chairman Governing Council, Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic in 2016 – 2018 and Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Representing Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District from June 2019 – May 2023. She is by the grace of God the First Female Elected Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State.
Senator Dr. Akon Eyakenyi has held several other part-time appointments locally and internationally. She is widely travelled, has attended several local and international conferences, organised and coordinated several programmes, workshops and conferences and has a number of publications to her credit.
Distinguished Senator Dr. Akon Eyakenyi is a mobiliser, mentor, role model, philanthropist and an unrepentant community servant. She is an embodiment of humility, a loyal person, pace setter, peace maker, exceptionally diligent and dutiful. She has received several awards, honours and recognitions among which is the Paul Harris Fellow (PHF), a major donor in the Rotary International. She is an advocate for children and women welfare, a staunch advocate for democracy and rule of law, highly detribalized and very accommodating. She is a member of several professional organisations. Distinguished Senator Akon Eyakenyi is a devoted Christian. Her hobbies include reading, community development and travelling.
Today, Distinguished Senator Akon Eyakenyi stands before you as the First Female to be Democratically Elected as the Deputy Governor in Akwa Abasi Ibom State.
Skills
Strong leadership, communication and Interpersonal skills. Training, Instruction, coaching with problem solving abilities relevant to Government & Organizational needs
Skilled at handling variety of tasks effectively, liaising with and motivating others.
Continuing Professional Development track record, ensuring up to date knowledge.
Strong analytical, presentation and report writing skills
A dynamic and proactive personality with team orientation and flexibility and ability to plan, achieve targets and meet timetables
Ability to work with no supervision and direct teams on daily basis with expertise at budget planning and prioritising spending
Academic Research Works Undertaken
- Correlates of Professional Development among Teachers in Akwa Ibom State.
- Gender & Social Class Differences in Attitudes towards Teaching among Science Students in Akwa Ibom State
- A Comparative Study of Moral Values Held by Students in Co- Education and Single-Sex Schools in Oron Local Government Area.
- Advent and Activities of the Methodist Church in Oron Local Government
Merit Awards
- Paul Harris Fellow (Major Donor) Rotary Foundation of Rotary International
- Fellowship Award for Selfless Services to Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua
- Advocate of Peace by Nigerian Peace Corps.
- Ibom Pride Award of Excellence from Akwa Ibom State Association of Nigeria (AKISAN), USA – 2019
- Ibom Pride Award of Excellence from Akwa Ibom State Association of Nigeria (AKISAN), USA – 2016
- Fellow Certified Facilities Manager (FCFM) from Institute of Global facilities management, Nigeria
- Role Model to the Female Child by 6th Niger Delta Achievers Merit Award (Ndama)
- Paul Harris Fellow (Major Donor) Rotary Foundation of Rotary International
- Fellowship Award for Selfless Services to Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua
- Advocate of Peace by Nigerian Peace Corps.
- Ibom Pride Award of Excellence from Akwa Ibom State Association of Nigeria (AKISAN), USA – 2019
- Ibom Pride Award of Excellence from Akwa Ibom State Association of Nigeria (AKISAN), USA – 2016
- Fellow Certified Facilities Manager (FCFM) from Institute of Global facilities management, Nigeria
- Role Model to the Female Child by 6th Niger Delta Achievers Merit Award (Ndama)