President Buhari has expressed shock and grief over the
death of the former Secretary to the Federal Government, (SGF) Chief Ufot
Ekaette, describing him as “a consummate administrator who dedicated himself to
duty in the course of his distinguished public service.”
Ekaette who served as
secretary to the government between 1999 and 2007 and was the pioneer minister
for Niger Delta, was 80 years old.
In a condolence
statement, President Buhari extolled the late Ekaette “as a gentleman who had
given his best in the service of his country.”
According to the
President, “the late Ekaette would always be remembered not only for his
remarkable public service record, but also because of his immense contributions
towards bringing peace in the once troubled Niger Delta region.” While
condoling the Ekaette family, the government and people of Akwa Ibom State over
the death of the former SGF, President Buhari regretted that “his demise comes
at a time when voices like his own are needed to move Nigeria forward in the
face of daunting challenges.”
Late Ufot Ekaette was
born in 1939 in Ikot Edor, Onna Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State. He attended King’s College, Lagos, graduating
in 1960, then went to University College, Ibadan where he earned a B.Sc in
Economics in 1964. He joined the Federal Civil Service on 28 July 1964. Ekaette
was principal secretary to Head of State General Yakubu Gowon (1968–1975).
Ekaette served in the
Federal Ministries of Industries (1975), Information (1977–1979), Education
(1979) and National Planning (1979–1983).
He was secretary, Public Service Department and Head of Service
(1984). He was director, External
Finance at the Federal Ministry of Finance (1985–86). Ekaette was appointed
Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Industries in January 1986, later
Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing in 1988. He was Director-General, Directorate of Food,
Roads and Rural Infrastructure (June 1988 – March 1989), Director-General,
Federal Ministry of Social Development, Youth and Sports (1989) and
Director-General (Planning), Federal Ministry of Budget and Planning (1990). In
1990, he was appointed Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State under Air Commodore
Idongesit Nkanga. In 1996, he became a non-executive director of First Bank of
Nigeria, a post he held until May 1999
The President prayed God Almighty to comfort the Ekaette family, friends
and relations, and grant the soul of the departed eternal rest.
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