INTERVIEW WITH NTUNKAE, DR. MRS. THERESE IKWEN

"I want to be remembered for the values I have inculcated in people"-Ikwen 

Intro: 

Blessed, brilliant and beautiful aptly, speak of the personality of Mrs. Mary Therese Ikwen, immediate past Head of Civil Service in Cross River State, Nigeria. Recently, the editorial crew of Global Achievers online magazine [https://globalachieversmedia.blogspot.com], was at her spacious and serene residence in Calabar; where she spoke about her early life, rise from ‘grass to grace’ as well as her ‘glorious era’ as the Head of Service in Cross River State - A position she remains ever grateful to God who made it possible and thankful to former Governor Liyel Imoke who gave her the privilege to serve the state at that level which she considered the pinnacle of her career in the civil service.

 Mary-Therese has such a huge heart.  She has sent many to school and has an NGO which caters for the needs of indigent girls across the state. She told us during the interview that she is doing so much to attract sponsorship and partnership to enable her expand the scope as well as sustain her charity.

So endearing and enchanting, we felt her warmth and welcoming nature and we almost wished for no end to the interview session.

 An author of the book: ‘‘The Civil Servant and Public Administration: An Imperative to Good Governance’’ Dr. Mary Therese Ikwen has contributed in no small measure to the overall well being of civil servants and greater improvement of the Cross River State Civil Service.

GA: Madam, can we meet you?

IKWEN: I am Ntunkae, Dr. Mrs. Mary Therese Ikwen.  I was born sixty-one years ago at Vom-Jos Pleateau state, where my parents lived at the time. My father was Pa Udengere Odey, a veteran of 2^nd world war and my mother Ma-Digida, a petty trader. I am a native of Butsam- Etsong, Busi in Obunliku Local Government Area of Cross River State.

I had my early education at Central Primary School Sankwala and Mount Carmel Secondary School, Ogoja, Cross River State. While at Mount Carmel, we learnt a lot from the Reverend Sisters who were our tutors. Some of the moral values which have guided me through life were imparted on us by the Nuns.

After secondary school, I travelled to Calabar in 1975 in search for a job. Fortunately for me, I had an Uncle, now of blessed memory, whose friend offered me a job in the defunct Mercantile Bank. I worked there for one year. There I met nice people like Ita Okokon, owner of Cytaro hotel in Calabar and Asuquo Ekpenyong who owns Channel View hotel.

In 1976, I proceeded to the college of Education, Uyo where I read English and French.  I graduated in 1979 and was mobilized for the mandatory National Youth Service Corps, the same year. Shortly, I met my husband and started family life. After service to my fatherland, I returned to Obanliku and taught at Bendi Technical College between 80/81 because my husband was there. At his demise, I left to Girls Secondary School, Obudu and taught there till 1986.

The need to further my studies beckoned. I applied for leave without pay. I got admission into the University of Calabar where I read Education/French. On graduation, I was reabsorbed into the service. Having taught for a while, I felt the need to join the mainstream of the service. I worked my transfer to Calabar and was posted to the Governor’s Office as an Assistant Director. It might interest you to know that Civil Service job was not taught in the university so I learnt on the job.

GA: When did you come into limelight in the public service?

IKWEN: During the Babangida’s era when local governments were dissolved the Governor then, Clement Ebri was looking for Local Government Administrators. Luckily, I was appointed the Sole Administrator for my local government, Obanliku. I was there for eighteen months. Among other projects, the local government council secretariat which I completed remains an enduring legacy of my administration. We were able to maintain peace throughout the local government area. The traditional rulers were really helpful. They were no communal clashes. We held monthly meetings with them. Though brief, it was really a successful one.

When I returned, I was posted to the Department of Local Government as Director of Personnel before it became a ministry.

Again, in 1998, I was appointed a Caretaker Committee Chairman for Obudu local government area. While there, we completed the guest house of the council.

In 1999, I was deployed to Local Government Pension Board and I worked under the late Mrs. Cecilia Ekpenyong who was the Chairman of the board. While there, from 1999-2000, I cleared the backlog of pensions and gratuities of retired staff.

In March 2002, I was appointed a Permanent Secretary by former Governor Donald Duke. I was deployed to work under Mrs. Rose Mary Obanya at the Office of the Head of Service.

GA: Can you share some of your most memorable moments in service?

 IKWEN: One moment that remains memorable for me, was when I was nominated to go to National Institute for Public Policy and Strategic Studies, [NIPSS] Kuru, in Jos, Plateau State for ten months course. That decision to go there changed my entire life. The experience I had there, gave me greater confidence. I met people from different parts of the world and I toured several parts of the country as well as the globe.

GA: Where were you sent to after your ten month studies at NIPSS?

IKWEN: I was sent to the state Ministry of Education where I worked with Prof. Celestine Bassey, who was then, the Commissioner for Education in the time of former Governor Donald Duke. We had a smooth working relationship. I had also worked with Prof. Offiong E. Offiong who succeeded him in office. That was in the time of Senator Liyel Imoke, as Governor of Cross River State.

Later, I was posted to the State Ministry of Local Government Affairs. I was there from 2008-2010. I worked with Barrister Edem Ekong, who was the Commissioner then, later Hon. Samuel Oju who succeeded him in office

Later, I was sent to the Civil Service Commission as Permanent Secretary and I worked with Sir Brian Ekpong who was the Chairman at the time.

G.A: When can you say was the turning point in your Civil Service Career?

IKWEN: April 1^st 2012. That was the date I was appointed the Head of Service of Cross River State. When I met with the Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke, who appointed me, he told me that it had taken him time to take the decision and hoped that I will meet his expectations.

Consequently, I gave the job my best. I remain grateful to God for that rare privilege. I did not think that I would ever be the Head of Service considering the fact that there were many other people who had interests in the position. I am ever thankful to my former Boss, Senator Liyel Imoke for the confidence he had in me. I think I did my best and I am sure I did meet his expectations.

GA: Can you mention some of the achievements you recorded in that office?

IKWEN: Although I worked under very difficult conditions as Head of Civil Service at a time Cross River State borrowed to pay monthly salaries thus my office had no imprest for twenty-one months. I spent a minimum of one hundred and twenty-thousand naira monthly from my salary for paper, ink, fuel and maintenance of equipment, to run my office. Also, coordinated the entire civil/public service to ensure the proper management and administration of human and material resources. Others include but not limited to the following:

-         Digitalization of the Civil Service: I worked so hard for the digitalization of the civil service in Cross River State.

-         Training and retraining for Civil servants.

-         Built a greater synergy between civil servants in the state and other federal agencies including the military to enhance good working relationship.

-         Through effective weekly reporting, my office identified over four hundred unclaimed staff salaries and generated over two hundred million naira refunded by the salary paying banks within the period.

-         Authored a book titled: ‘‘The Civil servant and public Administration: An imperative for food governance’’ to enhance effectiveness and efficiency in the civil service.

-         Lots more… 

GA: How do you relax?

IKWEN: I do some visitations. I also get involved in charity works.

GA: You launched an NGO to Mark your 60^th birthday last year, how far have you gone with it?

IKWEN: Yes I did. The name of the NGO is Dugeri Girls Development Foundation. It is geared towards helping the indigent girl child. I was an indigent girl. It was God’s grace and God’s will that brought me this far in life. So far, we have identified some indigent students, paid WAEC fees for them within personal means. We have a team of ten persons working for us within the state. Soon, we will publish the names of the indigent ones we have assisted in order to attract possible sponsorship or partnership so that we can continue to assist them.

GA: How about your family?

IKWEN: I have been blessed with three children: Justin, Moses and Mary – Faustine. They are all doing well.

GA: What will you want to be remembered for?

IKWEN: (Smiles…) I want to be remembered for the values I have tried to inculcate in people. The values of: hard work, honesty, contentment, selflessness, humility, love and service for community and so on.

GA: Thank you so much for granting us this interview.

IKWEN: Thank you too for your time.