INTRO: Highly enlightened, exposed and experienced especially in
petroleum related areas, Professor Eyo Etim Nyong remains an
intellectual asset to his state, country and the world at large.
A consultant and registered petroleum geologist under the council of
Nigerian Mining Engineers and Geo science (COMEG), Prof. Nyong has a
myriad of awards, fellowship and professional certifications ascribed to
his name. A repository of knowledge, Prof. Eyo Etim Nyong has so much
to offer. He is an embodiment of geological sciences with a parade of
certificates; M.S.C, M Phil and PhD to show for his academic excellence
and brilliance. With him as a guide and pointer, so much of nature’s
gift to our country can be explored and exploited for our common good.
His academic achievements are enough motivation for young scholars who
are looking up to him.
Several times, this Elder statesman who
is also a politician, due to pressure from his people, friends and
admirers had made two attempts at becoming the Governor of Cross River
State. Also, he made an attempt at becoming a Senator to represent Cross
River State at the National Assembly. In each of those times, he had an
impressive outing but never did assumed any of those positions.
A ruling Elder in the Presbyterian church and an unsung
philanthropist, giving is like a religion to him. Many students across
ethnic divides have benefitted so much from the scholarship schemes of
this noble statesman. Also, Widows, youths and businessmen have also
enjoyed his support. His tenure as a board member of the Niger Delta
Development Commission was a 'golden' era especially, for the people of
Cross River State. He attracted lots of projects to various communities
across the entire state.
Recently, Global Achievers Online
Magazine visited him in his country home in Calabar where he talked
about his profession, politics and the various projects he has attracted
to his people.G.A: Sir, can we meet you?PROF NYONG: I
am Prof. Eyo Etim Nyong. I am a native of Adak-Uko Clan in Creek town,
Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State. I am a descendant
of the King Eyo Nsa dynasty, specifically, from the King Eyo VII lineage
of which I am the current family head. Also, a high Chief in the palace
of the Obong of Calabar.
A Professor of petroleum geology, I am
also a Lecturer though, in adjunct capacity at the University of
Calabar, Calabar. I also run private businesses.
I own one of the
most recognized petroleum consulting firms, South Sea Petroleum
Consultants, which is one of the few indigenous petroleum consulting
firms in Nigeria. From 1990 till date, we have provided high quality
services to major oil companies in Nigeria.
G.A: Can you tell us about your educational background?PROF.
NYONG: I had my secondary education at the Methodist Boys High school,
Oron where I had a Grade 1 WAEC and a higher secondary certificate (A
level) in 1970 and 1972 respectively.
After wards, I proceeded
to Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria where I obtained BSC (Hons) Geology
(second class upper) in 1976. Two years later, precisely, in 1978, I
enrolled for post-graduate studies at the prestigious Rutgers,
University, New Jersey, USA. There I obtained MSC, MPhil and PHD in
geological science, specializing in petroleum related areas.
In
1983, I returned to Nigeria and lectured in the University of Calabar
for many years. I still lecture in UNICAL though, in an adjunct
capacity.
G.A: Can you tell us some of the achievements you have recorded in the academic world?PROF.
NYONG: As a University don, I have not only taught students who are
doing very well in the society, I have also handled the supervision of
more than ten (10) post graduate students including Msc and PhD
programmes, mostly in petroleum gelogy, related areas.
In 1986,
I was selected into the “People to People Citizen Ambassador Program”,
Washington D.c, - as part of a study team of petroleum geologists, to
visit and study the petroleum prospects of parts of China.
In 1987, I obtained the GERMAN ACADEMIC EXCHANGE SERVICE, Fellowship of the Federal Republic of Germany.
Earlier, between 1978 - 1983, I obtained the AFRICAN AMERICAN INSTITUTE, NEW YORK, U.S.A, Graduate fellowship.
G.A: Can you mention some of the positions you have held in the public service?
PROF. NYONG:I
was the regional Vice President, NIGER DELTA AFFAIRS for the Niger
Delta, the coalition of South-South Chamber of Chamber of Commerce,
Industry, Mines and Agriculture (FOSSCCIMA), a body founded in 2009 to
promote business opportunities for the south-south region of Nigeria
towards fostering national economic Development.
Also, Chairman;
Committee on Mineral Resources and Environment, Cross River State.
Appointed by Cross River State Government/Federal Ministry of Mines and
Solid Minerals. (Sept 2012). I have been responsible for articulating
strategies for effective and sustainable management of the enormous
mineral recourses in Cross River State.
Moreover, I was a member
of the Inaugural Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC),
representing Cross River State (2001-2004). During the said period, I
acted as Chairman of the Master Plan Committee and was responsible for
the articulation of the Niger Delta Regional Development Master Plan. I
was also responsible for organizing the first international conference
on the sustainable development of the Niger Delta region. Later, I
edited and published the proceedings of the conference.
Again, I was a
member; Niger Delta Stratigraphic Commission – setup by major oil
companies in Nigeria (Biostratigraphic Sub-committee) – 2002. I
eventually authored two chapters of the research finding in the areas of
Biostratigraphic and basin analysis.
It is imperative to say that I
was a member of the Cross River State Executive Council between
1987-1990. During this period, I held various positions including Office
of Special Duties in the Governor’s office, Commissioner for
Agriculture and Natural Resources and later, Commissioner for Finance
and Economic Planning.
I was appointed by the Federal Ministry of
Education as State Coordinator, National Workshop for Integrated Science
teachers (1986). Between 1985 and 1986, I was appointed a team member
by the UNICAL Consult for the baseline ecological studies of Mobil
Producing Nigeria operational are. This landmark study was coordinated
by me and the report eventually used by Mobil to produce their
environmental plan. Between 1984 and 1985, I functioned as consultant
under the UNICAL Consult to the Petroleum Geology Laboratory of the NNPC
R&D department in Port Harcourt. In 1984, I was a member of the
Ogoja Salt Exploration Team for Cross River State Government.
G.A: How well did your position at the governing board of the NDDC impact on your people?
PROF.
NYONG: Despite the low funding of NDDC and near zero allocation of
Cross River State at the initial state of the commission, I was able to
secure and complete about 57 projects spread across the entire Cross
River State. They include;
*Construction of 1 No. Block of NDDC
Model Six Classroom Block with an Office, a Store and a detached V.I.P
Toilet Block, Obudu Town.
Rehabilitation of Dormitory Block in Community Secondary School, Oban Akamkpa
Construction
of 1 No. Block of NDDC Model Six Classroom Block with an Office, a
Store and a detached V.I.P Toilet Block at Primary School, Adim Biase
LGA.
Construction. Of 1 No. Comprehensive Health Centre Main Block
Rehabilitation of Cottage Hospital in Archibong Town, Archibong Town (Relocated to Cameroon), Bakassi
Construction
of 1 No. Block of NDDC Model Six Classroom Block with an Office, a
store and a detached V.I.P Toilet block, Mbaniga Village Baccocco
Calabar Municipal
Construction of 1 No. Block of NDDC Model Six
classroom block with An Office, A Store and a detached V.I.P Toilet
Block, Ibili Ogoja, Ogoja.
Construction of 1 No. Block of 1 Bedroom flat X 4 (Staff Quarters), Ekpiri Ibami, Akamkpa
Construction
of 1 No. Block of 1 bedroom flat X 4 (Staff Quarters) at Cottage
Hospital, Archibong Town (Relocated to Cameroom), Bakassi
Construction of 1 NDDC Block Of Comprehensive Health Centre, Adim, Biase
and lots...
Annually,
I made provision of a minimum of ten million naira (10,000,000.00) only
for youths and women, especially widows as empowerment schemes. It is
also worthy of note that I provided about 50 buses to individuals and
cooperative societies to ease public transportation.
G.A:
In spite of your fine resume and the pressure you often get from your
people to vie for elective positions, do you regret the several
attempts you made at occupying elective positions but never assumed any? PROF.
NYONG: I am not a career politician. I am a professional. Even if I
leave this country, I will get a job somewhere. Politics is bad when you
do not have a fallback position. I do not regret the several attempts I
made at serving my people. For me, I have always come from the angle of
service. The desire to put Cross River State on a trajectory of growth
and development has always been the driving factor.
G.A: Can you let us into your family?PROF
NYONG: I am married with four children, two boys and two girls.
Unfortunately, my wife died in 2011. Since then, I have been without a
wife.
G.A: What will you want to be remembered for?
PROF
NYONG: I should not be the one to suggest what people will remember me
for – people can choose to remember for whatever I did that touched
their hearts.
G.A: Thank you for granting us this interview.PROF. NYONG: Good bye.
