Gov Eno names new chief of staff

Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has picked Aniefiok Johnson as his new chief of staff. This comes less than a year before the end of his first term.

The Secretary to the State Government, Enobong Uwah, announced this appointment in a statement on Friday.

Mr Johnson has worked as the governor’s executive assistant and chief delivery advisor. He will start his new role right away.

The statement highlighted that Mr Johnson did well in his previous job. He showed diligence, loyalty, and commitment to the administration’s Arise Agenda.

Mr Johnson brings over 30 years of experience in international diplomacy and management with the United Nations.

Before joining the Akwa Ibom State Government, he was chief of staff at director level in the Office of the United Nations Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region in Nairobi, Kenya.

His international work included time with the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) and the African Union-United Nations Joint Mediation Support Team in Doha, Qatar. He also worked at Nigeria’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York.

Mr Johnson has held diplomatic positions in German and Caribbean embassies as well.

While taking a break from his international career, he was a senior special assistant to the president of Nigeria on special projects. He oversaw federal infrastructure, power, and development initiatives.

In Akwa Ibom, he was executive assistant and chief delivery advisor to Governor Eno. He helped coordinate government priorities and policy under the Arise Agenda. He also led the state’s power sector reform committee.

Mr Johnson has a Master of Arts in International Relations from Dublin City University in Ireland, along with a degree in Political Science.

His new appointment comes as the Eno administration nears the last year of its first term. The governor’s office will play a key role in coordinating government activities and ensuring the administration’s policy promises are delivered.