Akakan Umoh
In recognition of his outstanding academic excellence and purposeful political leadership, the Forum of Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Academics in Tertiary Institutions (FUOATI) has inducted Rt. Hon. Unyime Idem, member of House of Representatives as a Distinguished Associate Member.
Idem, who is representing Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency in the House, had earned a Doctoral degree in Leadership Studies from the Federal University of Lokoja.
In addition, the forum conferred an Award of Excellent Performance on him in recognition of his service to the people and for his “most outstanding representation, Constituency development and pragmatic leadership to the people of Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency in particular and Akwa Ibom State in general.”
FUOATI, a remarkable reservoir of intellectual and professional capacity, comprises lecturers, researchers and academics of Ukanafun and Oruk Anam origin serving in universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, research institutes and other tertiary institutions within and outside Nigeria.
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The organisation’s President, Dr. Daniel Evans Eshett announced the induction and presentation of the award when they paid a courtesy visit to the Federal lawmaker on Saturday in Uyo said as at December 2025, Idem had sponsored 21 bills and 32 motions.
Among the motions, he recalled, included a motion on the revamping of the ailing Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) and a motion for the construction of the Ikot Mbong–Ikot Ukpong Eren Bridge to improve economic activities in the area.
The one-time Dean, School of Communication Art, Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osorua, in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area, listed their programmes to include publication of development-oriented books, youth mentorship programmes, and organisation of UTME Computer-based Test (CBT) training for prospective candidates.
Others are organising conferences, seminars and workshops on critical educational, economic, social and developmental issues as well as School-to-school career counselling to expose secondary school students to career opportunities and support informed educational choices across the Federal Constituency.
Dr. Eshett, therefore, called on him to assist in sponsorship of a six-month Computer-Based Test Training Programme for 2,000 prospective UTME candidates, provision of annual research grants to academics, building of China Clay Processing Factory, rehabilitation of critical federal roads and completion of abandoned NDDC hospital and road projects across Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency.
Responding, Dr. Idem thanked them for the honour done him, noting ‘‘For me, every honour that comes from our people is not simply a celebration of what has been achieved, but also a reminder of the greater responsibilities that lie ahead.
He said he was encouraged by the vision behind the Forum: to harness our collective intellectual and professional capacities towards the educational, scientific, technological, socioeconomic and overall development of our Federal Constituency.
According to him, ‘‘This aligns perfectly with my conviction that the sustainable transformation of Ukanafun and Oruk Anam must be driven not only by physical infrastructure, but also by knowledge, innovation, research, human capital development and economic opportunity.
‘‘As Chairman of the House Committee on Public Procurement and as your representative in the National Assembly, I remain committed to using every legitimate platform available to attract development, strengthen institutions and ensure that public investments deliver tangible value to our people.
The National Assemblyman pledged to engage the academics, professionals, traditional institutions, youth, women, community leaders and other stakeholders, because, according to him, ‘‘the future we desire for Ukanafun and Oruk Anam cannot be built by one person or one institution, but through collective wisdom, purposeful leadership, strategic partnerships and a shared commitment to the common good.’’
