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| Her Honour, Noble Lady Valerie Ebe |
When she picked interest
in politics 41 years ago as a student activist in the University of Nigeria,
Nsukka, little did Lady Valerie Ebe know that fate would have taken her this
far. She has risen to become the first female Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom
State. Quite an Amazon in the making!
Her success story is as a result of hard work, commitment, loyalty,
humility, patience and perseverance through trials and challenges and it is a
lesson for all.
A Workaholic Deputy Governor
Right from her days as a teacher in Cornelia Connelly College, Uyo,
till date, Ebe has been noted for hard work and commitment. And these have been
her watch-words.
In her present office the same watchwords run as her trademark. So,
whether in the office or in the field, it is hard work and commitment all the
way. She works till late in the night without being weary to the surprise and
admiration of people.
Ebe, the Mobilizer
Popularly called Mma Ebe, her political activism led to her being
described as the doyen of female rights in the state as well as to her being
regarded as “the Ibom Mother.” One other attribute one must concede to Lady Ebe
is her mobilization skill. It has helped her to unite sworn enemies on several
occasions.
For instance, that attribute came to the fore in 2001 when she became
the Secretary of Women in Leadership, a socio-political group, which later
fetched her, without struggle, the Chairman position of Women Mobilization
sub-Committee of Yar’Adua/Jonathan-Akpabio/Ekpotu Campaign Oganization and the
Deputy National Coordinator of Niger Delta Coalition for Yar’Adua/Jonathan
Campaigns in 2007, bringing people of diverse interest together for the benefit
of the state and the nation.
Throughout her career, she was known as an educator and a mobilizer.
She founded an organization for women in the state, Akwa Ibom Women League
(AKIWOL), with a membership across the 31 Local Government Areas of the state.
Her wealth of experience gave her the leeway to succeed as a Commissioner from
2007 to 2009.
It was this success that spurred Ata Atai Obonganwan Atim Atakpo to
write a foreword in Lady Ebe’s book, Ibom
Mother, published in 2008,
“It is necessary for us to remember those women
who have contributed immensely to the socio-economic and political development
of our society. Also those who at present are still contributing through their
various fields of endeavour should be appreciated and recognized in order to
encourage our young girls to do more.” Today Noble Lady Valerie Maurice Ebe, a Lady
of St. John (KSJ), is appreciated and recognized and will remain a source of
encouragement to young girls and even generations unborn.”
The Philanthropist
Long before she entered political office in 2004, as a Commissioner in
the Ethical and Attitudinal Re-Orientation Commission (EARCOM), Lady Ebe, had
affected many lives. Indeed, her life exemplifies the attitude of most great
leaders the world over who poise themselves for service wherever it is needed
selflessly. This is what drives her service delivery in the social life of her
people: From the provision of portable water to the grading of access roads in
her community. Her philanthropy also extends to churches.
Birth
Lady Ebe was born on the 26th day of March, 1947, to the
family of late Obong Paul Bassey, a pioneer member of the Ibibio Union and the
first Clan Head of Etoi Clan in Uyo Local Government Area.
For a woman of her status, it is only fitting that her life is actively
invested in the advancement of her people and perhaps, that of the nation.
Education
An alumnus of the great University of Nigeria, Nsukka, from where she
graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History Archeology (1973) and a
Bachelor of Laws Degree in 1996 from the University of Uyo, Uyo. She graduated
in 1997 from the Nigeria Law School. Lady Ebe started her primary and secondary
education at Holy Child Primary School, Calabar, Cross River State (1952 - 1956),
and Holy Child Secondary School, Calabar, Cross River State (1957 - 1961),
where she obtained her West African School Certificate (WASC). She, thereafter,
had a brief stint at the Holy Child Teacher Training College, Ifuho, Ikot
Ekpene (1962-63) and the College of Education, Owerri, Imo State (1964 - 66).
Political Life/ Public Service
Lady Ebe’s active political career began when she was made the Akwa
Ibom State Legal Adviser of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), a position she
held for four consecutive years (2003 - 2007).
Appointed Commissioner, Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources
(2007 - 2008) and Ministry of Culture and Tourism (2008 - 2009).
She also served simultaneously as National Legal Adviser, Women in
Business and National Legal Adviser, Voice of Niger Delta Women (2001 - 2012).
President/Founder of Akwa Ibom Women League (AKIWOL) and South-South Women
Forum (SSWF).
Until her appointment as Deputy Governor, Lady Ebe represented
government’s interest in several platforms, bringing her vast knowledge to bear
in the direction and workings of political organizations.
Lady Ebe is a mother with a meek, compassionate, and public–spirited. Not at all a surprise to those who are conversant with her world view; one shaped by love, principles, consistency, transparency, commitment, selflessness, and total loyalty.
She was appointed Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State in November 3,
2012, to serve her beloved state. Since then she has been teaming up with the
quality and visionary leadership offered by His Excellency, Governor Godswill
Obot Akpabio, a task for which she is eminently qualified, being skilled in
management, patriotism and ingenuity.
Mma Ebe, who was honoured and installed by the greater Akpabio Family
of Ukana Ikot Ntuen on the 2nd day of June, 2013, to be the First
Daughter of the family with the title of Adiaha Nto Udo Akpabio, is a
Princess and a well-grounded grassroots woman who is well-cultured in the
politics of the nation.
She enjoys Chieftaincy titles and awards from meaningful
socio-cultural, economic and political groups like Ukai Ibibio, from Akwa
Esop Imaisong Ibibio, Mme of Etoi Clan Traditional Rulers’
Council, Obonganwan Unwana of Eket Nation and also recipient of the Best
Civil Servant Award from the Ministry of Education, Laux
of the Year Award from Knight of St. John International, and Women
of Merit Gold Award by PSR Magazine (2005), presented to her by the
Wife of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, late Mrs. Stella
Obasanjo.
Working Life
Prior to joining the public sector, Lady Ebe was a Principal Partner of
Ikpaisong Chambers, a legal practitioners’ firm in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. She
has been an educationist per excellent, rising from a classroom teacher with
Cornelia Connelly College, Uyo, to the position of Vice Principal (1967 - 70).
She later became Head of Division, Teachers Registry in the Ministry of
Education in the erstwhile Cross River State (1980 - 81), Head of Division,
Junior Secondary School, Senior Secondary School, and Students’ Affairs,
Ministry of Education (1981 - 82), (1982 - 84), and (1984 - 86).
After the creation of the state, she became the Head of Division,
Examination, Registration and Certification, Ministry of Education, Akwa Ibom
State (1986 - 90), Head of Directorate of Planning, Research and Statistics in
the same ministry (1990 - 92). In 1992 and 1993, Lady Ebe became Area Inspector
of Education and Head of Directorate of Youth Development in the same
ministry.
Family
Mma Ebe is married to late General Maurice Ebe (KSJ), Mkpisong Ibibio of
Ikot Edeghe Inyang in Ukpum Minya Clan in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area. The
late Mkpisong, until his death, was a founding and an active member of Akwa
Esop Imaisong Ibibio, a foremost socio-cultural organization in the Ibibio Land
and a Knight of Saint John (KSJ). The union produced lovable and hardworking
children and grand-children.
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