By David Peter
It was a great visionary leader, Idowu Koyenikan, who said, “Show me the heroes that the youth of your country look up to, and I will tell you the future of your country.” Its a no communiqué, that sizeable arising young stars and influential leaders look up to Asuquo Ekpenyong as a role model, a mentor and a lifetime hero.
In clarity, to all clutter and mental noise, The Governor of Cross River State, His Excellency, Benedict Bengioushuye Ayade, has smashed the camels sociopolitical scenery in Cross River State with a cumulative effect via engaging young people in his policy making/decisions, ensuring youth inclusiveness in his administration as well as projecting as an icon in the remarkable global UN SDGs dialogue on the “not too young to run” rising culture. A case in point, Chief Stephen Odey, Phd the authentic flag bearer of the PDP Cross River Northern Senatorial Bye election (2020).
The scope of our youth friendly Governor has also put in motion, Honourable Asuquo Ekpenyong to rightly serve as the Commissioner for Finance from inception of the digital governor’s administration till date (2020).
Asuquo, who holds an MSc from the prestigious University of Reading, UK in International Banking and Financial Services has aggressively propelled the Ayade’s administration to International recognition viz; agricultural sector, transportation, Health, Hospitality, Commerce, etc his excellent financial managerial skills has advanced and sustained the state to flow in bid of the mega industries established by the Governor, Sir. Ben Ayade has geared towards salvaging unemployment amongst the youths and women across the State.
During the perilous crisis, covid-19 saga, Asuquo was inaugurated as the Secretary to the Covid 19 Response Team committee where he doubled as the Commissioner of Finance and the Secretary of the Cross River State Covid 19 response Team to curtail the ravaging virus as codenamed, covid 19 (corona virus), Asuquo, however, performed meticulously to
safeguard the State against the awful scourge as well pivoted in trooping in financial donors and institutions to backup the state with stimulus packages.
His lifestyle as a young technocrat & vibrant scholar is thrust with an extraordinary humanitarianism thereby, touching youths with a keen interest of giving their lives meaning in the society through his philanthropic and empowerment ilk. He, however, plinth as a huge assets in the Ayade’s governance and politic in Cross River State.
Asuquo leadership theory is focused on the marble words of John Quincy Adams, as quote; “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”
Ekpenyong Jnr., self-effacing and vantage point in leadership has inspired young influential beings across Nigeria and beyond to dream more, learn more, do more and become more in other to dismantle the legacy of corrupt leaders, tackle the unemployability ratio and foster lucrative businesses and opportunities that will advance the State’s economy.
Philosophers have interpreted the world; its left for us to change it. A society can be moved to greater height and higher ideas only by the number and strength of the dreamers, thinker and doers available to it as being exemplified by ‘Honourable Asuquo Ekpenyong’ a youthful agent in Ayade’s administration.
