By: Our Reporter, Calabar
Barrister Emmanuel Enamhe has emerged the new Chairman of the Association of Retired States’ Permanent Secretaries of Nigeria, ARSPSON, Cross River State, chapter.
Enamhe who was elected through a landslide victory of 79 to 3 votes against his challenger Mr Gabriel Ufono, was sworn in along with other members of the Executive Council of the Association in a colourful inaugural ceremony held at the Ministry of Finance conference hall on Monday, Nov 10, 2025.
The well attended ceremony had the Commissioner of Finance, Hon. Michael Odere, the State Head of Service,Barr. Orok Okon Bassey, representative of the Secretary to the State Government as well as a score of past Heads of Service and Retired Permanent Secretaries in attendance.
In a goodwill message at the occasion, the Commissioner of Finance, Hon. Odere,expressed excitement at having such eminent crop of retired technocrats around his office to hold their meetings and events.
He assured them of his continued cooperation and support “saying the State government has a lot to benefit from collaborating with the association to shape its public service initiatives and actions.
He congratulated the Association a for peaceful and transparent conduct of the elections and lauded the quality of the newly inaugurated Chairman and his team.
Earlier, the Head of Service Barr. Orok Okon Bassey, had equally congratulated ARSPSON for the peaceful transition assuring that his office will continue to partner with the Association to reposition the State public service.
Speaking, the outgone Chairman of the Association,Ntufam, Dr Effenji Odey, had delivered a comprehensive account of his stewardship of the Association in the last four years and urged the New Exco to move the Association to the next level.
In his acceptance speech at the occasion, newly sworn in chairman, Barr. Emmanuel Enamhe, said he was humbled by the enthusiastic show of support to him by both veterans and younger members of the Association.
Barr Enamhe, who served as Vice Chairman in the immediate past Executive committee said the overwhelming support and his experience of having been an integral part of the last administration has positioned him to take the Association to the next level.
Enamhe, ,a former Chief of Protocol to former governor, Donald Duke,also reputed for driving the State’s SERVICOM programme as it’s pioneer Director General, said he would bring his wealth of experience garnered in the service to bear on the running of the Association ensuring that it gains the necessary relevance and recognition in the public and private spaces in the state and beyond.
He called for unity and harmony saying splinter groups within the Association cannot move it forward.
“We are stronger operating under one strong and vibrant canopy”,he emphasized”.
The new Executive sworn in by Retired Justice Emilia Ibok include Barr. Emmanuel Enamhe, Chairman, Dr Mrs. Ihort Achu,VC, Dr. Bassey,Sec. Gen.and Mrs Beatrice Akunjom, Asst Sec.
Others are,Mr Francis Egiga, Treasurer, ,Mr. Bassey Effiom, Auditor, Barr Gabriel Ikang, Legal Adviser and Mr Victor Inameti as PRO. Mr Clement Ushie the Financial Secretary, who was unavoidably absent,is to be sworn in at a later date.
