HON. UMANA OKON UMANA, CON: THE PORTRAIT OF A TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADER
For Nigeria to achieve the level of economic growth and development that gives her a comparable standing among her peers, professionals like Hon. Umana Okon Umana, former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, must be a model to look up to. Through the years, Umana has distinguished himself not only as a reputable professional, a seasoned economist, an accomplished administrator and technocrat, but also as a man of integrity. His genius shows through in his vision as it does in execution wherever he has the opportunity to serve.
Umana attended St. Patrick College, Calabar, Cross River State, in south south Nigeria, from where he enrolled at the University of Calabar to study Economics. His academic qualifications include a B.Sc degree in Economics from the University of Calabar and an MBA in Finance from the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State in south south Nigeria.
Umana further deepened his preparation for public service through participation in numerous professional development courses at Ivy League Schools around the world, including the International Law Institute, Washington DC; London Business School; Columbia University Graduate School of Business, New York and RIPA International of London in the UK.
In 2019, Umana received the Executive Certificate in Public Policy from the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, USA, having completed leadership-level programmes in Leading Economic Growth, Mastering Negotiations and Driving Government Performance between 2018 and 2019.
A seasoned professional and leader in public governance, Umana has demonstrated legendary capacity for translating dreams into reality wherever he has served. Before his public service assignments at the national level as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs and Managing Director/CEO of the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority at various times, Umana had held key positions in the public service of his home state of Akwa Ibom. His public service career in the state began when he was appointed Principal Budget Officer in 1989. He rose through the ranks to become the State Director of Budget in 1998, and Permanent Secretary in charge of the Budget Office in 2000.
In August 2003, he retired from Akwa Ibom State Civil Service upon his appointment as Honourable Commissioner for Finance by then-governor of the state, Arc. Obong Victor Attah. At the end of Attah’s tenure, Umana was again called upon in 2007 to serve as Secretary to the State Government by then-governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio. Umana served in that position till 2013.
In 2015, Umana ran for the Office of Governor of his state, following which President Muhammadu Buhari appointed him Managing Director/CEO of the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA) in September 2016. At OGFZA Umana demonstrated his capacity at the national level as a transformational leader. Under his leadership OGFZA recorded a series of great achievements and won a number of national and international awards and recognitions. In 2018 and 2019 OGFZA was named by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) as the Best Federal Agency (among 44 Federal Government agencies in Nigeria) in the implementation of the Executive Order 001 on Transparency and Efficiency in the business environment.
And in 2019, OGFZA received the Award of Excellence in Productivity and Innovation in e-Government from the National Productivity Centre (NPC). OGFZA also won the following awards from fDI Magazine (a publication of Financial Times of London): Free Zone of the Year 2018; Bespoke Free Zone Incentives Award 2018.
POLITICAL ACTIVITIES AND SPECIAL ASSIGNMENTS
Umana has a long and distinguished record of leadership responsibility, political engagement and contributions. As reported earlier, he ran on the platform of APC for the Office of Governor of Akwa Ibom State in 2015. Over all, his public sector contributions and impact in his personal capacity have been wide-ranging. He was Chairman of Akwa Ibom State Planning Committee for the APC Presidential Campaign Rally at the national level in 2019; Deputy Director in charge of logistics for the APC Presidential Campaign in 2019; Chairman, Steering Committee, Akwa Ibom State/World Bank Community-based Urban Development Project; Chairman, Inter-Ministerial Committee on Direct Labour Jobs; Chairman, Inter-Ministerial Committee on Micro-Credits; Chairman, Akwa Ibom State Programme Co-ordinating Committee (SPCC) of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); Member State Development Trust Fund, a UNDP-Assisted Micro Credit Scheme; Chairman, Akwa Ibom State Chess Association; President, Ibom Central Lions Club, Uyo; Region 12 Chairman, International Association of Lion’s Club, Akwa Ibom State; Member, Akwa Ibom State Economic and development Planning Commission; Member, Akwa Ibom State Administrative Panel of Enquiry into the Affairs of Anchor Insurance Company Limited; Member, Akwa Ibom State Finance and General Purposes Committee, among others.
SPECIAL AWARDS AND PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Umana’s track record in academics, public governance, and leadership has been acknowledged with recognitions and awards throughout his career. He was named the Best Graduating Student in the 1976 class at St. Patrick’s College, Calabar, Cross River State; he was awarded the University of Calabar Foundation Scholarship on Account of Distinguished Academic Performance in 1980; and was honoured with Akwa Ibom State Public Service Award for Outstanding Performance 1991.
Umana is a member of Nigerian Economic Society (NSE) and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN). He is a consummate sportsman. An avid golfer, Umana is likely to be on the golf course when he is not playing either chess or squash; reading or listening to music. Umana is a man of great achievements whose contributions to the development of the nation place him in a halo of light as an outstanding alumnus and a worthy ambassador of the great University of Calabar.
PASTOR PETER INYANG: An Inspirational Malabite Raising Agents of Transformation through Faith and Service
John C. Maxwell’s assertion that, “Leadership is not about titles, positions or flowcharts. It is about one life influencing another.”, perfectly captures the essence of Pastor Peter Inyang’s leadership style, which has had a profound impact on the lives of many. As the Global Lead Pastor of Kingdom Stars Gospel Centre, a vibrant church community in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, he has built a reputation for his ability to connect with people from all walks of life, offering guidance, support and encouragement to those who need it most, and nurturing the spiritual growth of countless individuals.
Through his influential leadership, he has created a ripple effect of kindness, compassion and hope that resonates far beyond the walls of his church. It is not surprising that his name is being recognized among the worthy Malabites who have been good ambassadors of the University of Calabar, from which he graduated with a degree in English and Literary Studies.
Pastor Inyang’s vision for Kingdom Stars Gospel Centre is centered around transforming destinies, which has evolved into “Gateway to Greatness.” This initiative reflects his commitment to empowering individuals to achieve their full potential. Through the church’s multifaceted programs and acts of kindness, Pastor Inyang is making a profound impact in the lives of members and the broader community.
Guided by Isaiah 60:22, “A little one shall become a thousand and a small one a strong nation,” Kingdom Stars Gospel Centre has flourished under Pastor Inyang’s spiritual leadership. The church is built on a foundation of fellowship, worship, and the Word, with a commitment to touching lives on every level – spiritual, physical, and beyond. This holistic approach has enabled the church to positively influence countless individuals, fostering a sense of hope and purpose in the community.
At the heart of Pastor Peter Inyang’s ministry is a deep commitment to serving the community through practical acts of kindness. One of the most notable initiatives is the KSGC Scholarship Scheme, which is aimed at providing free university education to over 100 individuals and more within the church and global community. This investment in education has yielded remarkable results, with several beneficiaries already graduating and excelling in their fields. This program not only opens doors to new opportunities but also empowers individuals to break cycles of poverty and achieve their full potential.
Beyond education, Kingdom Stars Gospel Centre has implemented a range of initiatives aimed at addressing specific needs within the community. The Food Bank Initiative, formerly known as Good Samaritan Day, has been providing food for widows and the less privileged since September 2016. The Entrepreneurship Empowerment Scheme, launched in July 2018, offers cash, startup tools, and machinery to jobless individuals, fostering a community of entrepreneurs. Additionally, a robust mentorship program was introduced to groom and nurture young professionals, entrepreneurs, and businesses. These initiatives demonstrate the church’s commitment to holistic development and community upliftment.
The church’s commitment to recognizing and rewarding dedication and hard work is also noteworthy. In July 2021, the inspirational Malabite gifted a car to a single mother who traveled 42 kilometers to church every Sunday, enhancing her mobility and independence. Similarly in June 2024, he also gifted a car to the church’s Music Director, who had faithfully served for nine years. More recently, in June 2025, a tastefully finished 4-bedroom bungalow was built for a widow of six children who had been sleeping in a locked-up shop with yams in a market, before the church rented and furnished a room for her in 2016.
These acts of kindness not only bring joy to the recipients but also serve as a testament to the church’s commitment to putting faith into action. The church’s bi-annual Business Trade Fair, launched in May 2025, provides a platform for members to showcase their businesses to the world, further demonstrating the church’s commitment to economic empowerment and community development.
In his personal life, Pastor Inyang is blessed with a loving family. He and his wife, Sally, share the joy of three wonderful children. Their marriage, built on kingdom principles, exemplifies God’s faithfulness. As an author, he has also shared valuable insights on relationships through his books, including “Roadmap To A Successful Marriage,” “What Singles Don’t Know,” and “Arrows In The Hands Of The Mighty,” providing practical guidance for building strong, fulfilling relationships.
With eyes fixed on the future, his vision remains unwavering: to cultivate a generation of agents of transformation who will illuminate the world with the light of Christ. Recently, the distinguished UNICAL alumnus took his passionate “JESUS OR NOTHING” Campaign to the United Kingdom, boldly proclaiming the gospel to a global audience. This strategic outreach underscores his commitment to spreading the message of hope and redemption beyond borders, empowering people to live purposefully and make a lasting impact in their spheres of influence.
With unwavering faith and determination, Pastor Inyang continues to lead Kingdom Stars Gospel Centre’s ( www.kingdomstars.org) mission to touch lives, transform communities and shine a beacon of light in a world in need of spiritual guidance.
