Fame is the state of being known and talked about by many people. Popularity is being liked or enjoyed by a large number of people. Achievement is doing something successfully, especially using effort and skill.
Otuekong Patrick Natha Ifon commonly called PATO has combined these three attributes: fame, popularity and achievement to remain at the top echelon. Fame, as we all know is a more rewarding attribute than popularity. The combination of both is much more rewarding and enjoyed. This perfect combination of both gives an individual a glow of pride when he or she lives a life that is full of positive achievement and success through ones lifetime on earth.
Otuekong Pat Ifon, 54, married and a devout Catholic hails from Ikot Akpan Ishiet in Onna Local Government Area.
This great achiever began his educational trip in Urban County Council School, Umuahia in Abia State. He later moved to Sacred Heart Primary School, Calabar and finally Primary School, Calaro Estate, Akpamkpa, before proceeding to the famous Saint Patrick's College, Calabar,
where he obtained West African School Certificate in 1976 with flying colours.
where he obtained West African School Certificate in 1976 with flying colours.
His quest for education was so enormous that he envisaged a great future in him. On that premise, he proceeded to University of Calabar to read Micro-Biology and he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in 1980.
12 years after his first degree, in 1992, he got his Masters in Environmental Micro-Biology from the same university.
Professionalism distinguishes individual and also puts confidence and recognition on the individual. It also gives one the legal status, great skill and ability. These are such considerations, Otuekong Patrick Ifon could not let go but made them his endearments. These centred around his professional membership with Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators, Nigerian Society of Micro-Biologist and Nigerian Environmental Society.
Loaded with great talents, Ifon began to exhibit them sequentially. His post qualification appointments started in 1980 when he served the nation as a corp member in the capacity of a lecturer in the Institute of Hygiene, Ahmadu Bello University, Kano.
Between 1981 to 1993, he was a Biology, Integrated Science and English teacher in various secondary schools in Cross River State and Akwa Ibom State under the state secondary education board. While serving under the state secondary education board, he was appointed as a vice principal, of which he served excellently well before his voluntary retirement.
From 1994 till date, Otuekong Patrick Ifon at present is the chief executive officer and chairman of PANAT General Services Limited.
In 1999, Otuekong Patrick Nathan Ifon, a man of honour was elected as the honourable chairman of Onna Local Government Area.
During his tenure as the executive chairman of Onna Council, written and oral testimonies of the council staffs and the politicians revealed that he provided a quality leadership and management of resources of the council for the benefit of greater majority of the people.
Records show that under his administration, 41 water stations (Borehole, Stanchions, Tanks and generator houses) in all the villages in Onna Local Government Area were provided.
He also revamped the health institutions in area, while he provided three major free health care programs in liaison with Pro-Health International.
For the three years of his services as the chairman of Onna, he maintained a healthy relationship with the traditional institution and youth groups with a view to engendering peace and cooperation for a sustainable development.
It will not be out of place to mention that throughout his tenure, the law students from the local government in the Nigerian Law Schools were recieving stipends, while a skill acquisition centre was set-up to train the youth in various trades and skills.
Between 2005 and 2006, Pat serves as consultant to Community and Labour Relations Premier Fisheries Limited, an ExxonMobil assisted project that was involved in a peaceful acquisition of land at Akai, Nsit Ubium Local Government Area and as well as Iwuoachang in Ibeno.
Hon. Pat Ifon, being a seasoned administrator and a visionary extra-ordinarire, he was appointed in 2013 by the Akwa Ibom State government to serve as the chairman, Board of Directors of the Akwa Ibom State Water Company Limited.
In the light of truth, between January 2013 till date, Pat have proven himself to be a man with fame, popularity and achievement as the attributes.
As the chairman of AKWC, the company has formulated policies and rules for the smooth operations of the organization, while appraising the feasibility of establishing a water bottling unit with a view to increase the revenue base of the company.
As a media friendly administrator, he has set-up a public relation unit of the company in view to assisting in the public enlightment of the company's operations.
Extra-curricular activities have also been part of this great achiever. This shows in Saint Patrick's College Old Boys Association, Eket Branch, between 1996 till date as the president; Rural Electrification Committee, Akwa Ibom State (1999- 2002) as member; Security Committee, Eket Federal Constituency Elders' Forum (2009) as secretary, Review Study Group, ExxonMobil/Community Mou (2010) and Environmental Impact Assessment of Effect of Gas Pollution Committee as member.
He was a patron (financier) of Yar'dua/Jonathan Solidarity Forum in Nigeria and Diaspora, Akwa Ibom State Chapter.
Hon. Pat has bagged several awards and titles in the areas of his contribution in community development. In 2002, he was honoured with Millennium Citizen of Distinction Excellence Award, by the Federation of UNESCO. Others include Ntata Akwa Ibom by Akwa Ibom traditional rulers’ council in 2000; Otuekong Ibibio by Ifim Ibom Ibibio in 2006; and Obong Unwana of Ikot Akpan Ishiet in 2000.
Otuekong Patrick Nathan Ifon believes in development and peaceful co-existence. His ability to accomplish assigned tasks within set deadlines has been his watchword. He anticipates problems and proffer solution easily. He thinks strategically and constructively and above all has immense ability to work under pressure and manage crises.
Pat, the peoples' advocate is still a youth at heart. He is the man; the youth always look up to for effective representation at all time and place. The youth of Eket Federal Constituency count on him as their hopeful for the Federal House of Representatives in 2015.
Patrick Nathan Ifon after all said and done is our star to beacon on.
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