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.
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