2027: UK-based engineer plans big for Akwa Ibom constituency
Uya Okwong, a successful U.K.-based petroleum engineer who recently relocated to his native Akwa Ibom. He is one of the young Turks who has shown interest in the state assembly
Uya Okwong, a successful U.K.-based petroleum engineer who recently relocated to his native Akwa Ibom. He is one of the young Turks who has shown interest in the state assembly seat on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). He recently fielded questions from reporters on political developments in Akwa Ibom State.
Our Reporters
Your name has featured consistently in political discussions in Akwa Ibom as one of those to watch in connection with the 2027 state assembly polls…
I have a deep sense of commitment and responsibility to my people and the desire to give back to the community that shaped me.
I am grateful for the international professional opportunities that exposed me to systems that work, institutions that serve the people, and a culture where public officials are accountable to their communities. These exposures and experiences, I believe, can be valuable to my people.
As someone who believes in policies and bills as the framework for wholesome development, my desire by the grace of God is to represent the good people of Urue Offong/Oruko LGA in Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly in the 2027, where I can bring my knowledge, discipline and network to serve my people in contributing to policies and initiatives that promote youth empowerment, education, infrastructure development, technology adoption and economic opportunities.
Representation in the State House of Assembly should not just be about occupying a seat. It should be about giving our constituency a stronger voice and ensuring that government policies are created with the grassroots in mind and the benefits reach the most remote communities.
Ultimately, my motivation is simple — to serve, to uplift our people, and to help create opportunities for the next generation.
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While seeking to represent Urue Offong Oruko State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, have you identified what the problem is with your constituency?
Yes, I have on multiple occasions had frequent engagements with people across the wards in Urue Offong Oruko LGA, and have taken time to study the realities on the ground. This has helped me understand that the constituency is facing numerous interconnected challenges.
The truth is that our people are hardworking and resilient; the problem is not a lack of human potential. The real challenge has been limited opportunities and insufficient advocacy, as many people feel that the voice of the constituency is not strong enough in terms of attracting developments and sustained government attention.
What I see, therefore, is not a hopeless situation, but an opportunity for more proactive and effective representation, someone who will consistently engage government, mobilise development partners, and ensure that our constituency benefits from the many opportunities available at the state and federal levels.
My goal is to help strengthen that connection between our people and government, so that Urue-Offong/Oruko can experience the level of development and opportunities that our people truly deserve.
What would you do differently if given the ticket to run in 2027?
Firstly, let me say that I have great respect for those who have represented our constituency before now. Leadership is not an easy responsibility; everyone who has served in the past has contributed in one way or another to the progress of our people.
If given the privilege of the party's ticket to run in 2027, what I intend to do differently is to strengthen the connection between the constituency and government through more proactive representation and consistent grassroots engagement.
One of my strategies would be to prioritise active community engagement by setting up a Constituency Liaison Office, as none of this exists in my LGA. I do not believe that representation should be limited to the House of Assembly Complex in Uyo.
This will be a pivot to promote transparency and an open channel of communication with constituents to ensure that our people are fully aware of and able to benefit from government programmes and opportunities. Sometimes such opportunities exist, but our communities are not adequately positioned to access them.
In addition, I believe representation should involve continuous consultation with the people. I intend to bring back the culture of regular stakeholders' consultations, constituency briefings and town hall meetings to ensure the voices of the constituency remain central in legislative decisions.
I would also place strong emphasis on youth empowerment and economic opportunities, because our young people are the greatest asset of Urue-Offong/Oruko. Creating pathways for skills acquisition, entrepreneurship, and employment would be a major focus.
Finally, I will leverage my professional exposure and networks to attract partnerships, development initiatives, and investments that can contribute to improving infrastructure, education, and economic opportunities in our constituency.
My goal is simple: to ensure that Urue-Offong/Oruko has a strong voice, effective representation, and tangible development outcomes.
The popular thinking is that people go into politics these days to make money. What is your own opinion?
It is true that many people today believe politics is about making money. That perception exists, and we cannot simply dismiss it because it reflects the frustrations of many citizens who feel that leadership has not always delivered the kind of development and accountability they expect.
Over time, certain actions by public officials have created a trust gap between citizens and political leaders. However, I strongly believe that politics, at its core, is a platform for service and responsibility. In every society, politics is meant to organise governance, make laws, and ensure that the resources of the state are used to improve the lives of the people.
The problem arises when politics is seen purely as a personal opportunity rather than a public trust.
My own view is that politics should be about representation, development, and accountability. Those who go into public office must see themselves as custodians of the people's mandate, not beneficiaries of it.
For me, the motivation to participate in politics is rooted in the desire to contribute to the progress of my constituency. Having had the opportunity to build a professional career outside the political space, I believe I can bring a different perspective, one that focuses on service, transparency, and creating opportunities for our people.
If we want to change the perception of politics, it must begin with individuals who are willing to approach leadership with integrity, responsibility, and a genuine commitment to the welfare of the people. As a person, I strongly hold the opinion that when you fail to function well in a place of authority, you are likely working against the interests of God. That is the standard I hope to uphold.
How would you assess the governance of the present governor, Pastor Umo Eno?
In my view, I strongly believe that His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno-led administration has done incredibly well.
I will attribute his administration's greatest achievement to his ability to unite the state and ensure peace across Akwa Ibom. When he assumed office in 2023, the atmosphere in many communities was tense and hostile. There were boundary disputes which led to conflicts between neighbouring communities, creating serious disaffection among ethnic groups. Through the Governor's listening ears, channels for dialogues and consultations were opened for stakeholders to guide the conflicts toward peaceful resolutions. Today, the state is significantly calmer, and people feel more reassured about stability and coexistence.
Another area where his administration deserves recognition is prudence and accountability in governance. Under his leadership, the Akwa Ibom State Government has not borrowed, while also paying off decades of gratuity backlog. His administration has implemented a Treasury Single Account system, which has strengthened financial discipline and transparency in government operations. Contractors are being held accountable, and there is a greater emphasis on ensuring that public funds are used responsibly.
The governor has also shown a deliberate effort to ensure balanced development across the state. His administration appears committed to taking government projects to various parts of Akwa Ibom, including communities that previously felt neglected or left out of development efforts. This approach helps strengthen the sense that every part of the state is integrated into the larger Akwa Ibom project.
In addition, his Arise Agenda places strong emphasis in transforming Akwa Ibom to a multi-faceted tourism hub, with the ongoing construction of Ibom International Hospital, a state-of-the-art 350-bed facility aimed to advance healthcare tourism, the Ibom International Convention Centre considered on completion to be a prime destination for major national and international events, The Arise Resort project which has turned a 70 acres gully into a recreational masterpiece, to the ongoing upgrade of Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facilities for the full actualization of the Victor Attah International Airport status, the construction of Oron Marine Terminal with modern facilities to enhance the economic potential of the area, and restore full commercial activities that would boost the economy of the State.
What message do you have for your constituents?
My message to the people of Urue-Offong/Oruko is centred on optimism, solidarity, and shared responsibility for the advancement of our constituency.
Our constituency is home to industrious people with deeply rooted cultural values and a strong spirit of resilience. As we move forward, it is important that we continue to stand together and work collectively so that our communities can benefit from the opportunities and development that rightly belong to them.
Also, I want to commend the effort of the current Local Government Chairman of Urue Offong Oruko, Hon. Uno Etim Eno, who is working assiduously to implement the Governor's Arise Agenda at the grassroots level with recorded achievements in economic development, agriculture, small and medium enterprises, and human capital development. We will need a pragmatic representation to complement and unlock more potential of our collective effort, honest leadership and a clear focus on development that benefits our people.
I want our elders to know that their wisdom and guidance will always remain important in shaping the future of our constituency. Our women, who are the backbone of our families and communities, must continue to be supported and empowered. And to our youths, I want to say clearly that the future of Urue-Offong/Oruko belongs to you. We must create pathways that allow your energy, creativity, and talents to flourish.
I encourage our people to be engaged in the democratic processes; political differences should never divide us as a community, and also, I'm using this medium to appeal to all eligible voters to embrace the Continuous Voters Registration exercise passionately and obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) because active civic participation is critical to sustaining development beyond 2027.
Together, with unity, hard work, and faith, we can build a stronger and more prosperous constituency for the present generation and for those who will come after us.
For the benefit of readers, can you introduce yourself briefly?
My name is Okwong Uya Okwong, a native of Okossi Village in Urue Offong Oruko Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. I was born and raised in Oron, where I had my education, attending some of the notable schools in the area, including Methodist Boys' High School and Methodist Senior Science College, both in Oron. For tertiary Education, I proceeded to the University of Port Harcourt, where I obtained a Bachelor's degree in Petroleum Engineering, before furthering my studies at the prestigious Cranfield University, United Kingdom, with a Master's degree in Subsea Engineering.
Before continuing my professional career abroad, I also had the privilege of serving in academia as a lecturer at the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, where I contributed to the training and development of young Nigerians in technical and maritime-related disciplines.
Professionally, I am a Senior Automation Engineer with international experience in the energy sector, having worked in both Nigeria and the United Kingdom. My career has involved engineering operations, industrial automation, and the application of modern digital and data-driven systems, including work around data governance and policy frameworks within complex technical environments. My professional exposure across different continents has given me a broad perspective on technology, energy systems, and development.
Despite working internationally, I always maintain a strong connection with my community by visiting frequently, interacting and contributing my quota to a plethora of development initiatives. Having grown up in the community, I am deeply connected to the different strata of society and have a clear understanding of the challenges, realities, aspirations, and opportunities of my people.
