By Solomon OKPO | The Evangelist News Desk
The Chairman of the Eket Federal Constituency Media Professionals Forum (EFCMP), Comrade Enobong Nsimah, has commended the Managing Director of Azimarine, Engr. Michael Abakam, for his contributions to job creation, human capital development and economic growth in Eket Federal Constituency.
Nsimah gave the commendation on Monday, October 5, 2026, when he led members of the forum on a courtesy visit to the corporate headquarters of Azimarine in Ibeno, Akwa Ibom State.
The EFCMP chairman described Azimarine as a growing indigenous enterprise making significant contributions to economic activities and employment generation within the constituency and beyond. He specifically praised Abakam’s efforts at creating employment opportunities and building local capacity, describing them as important steps towards sustainable community development.
He urged the company to sustain and expand its investment in human capital and local content development, while expressing EFCMP’s readiness to establish a mutually beneficial relationship with Azimarine through strategic communication, responsible publicity and public-interest advocacy.
According to Nsimah, the partnership would help project the company’s legitimate activities, achievements and corporate social responsibility initiatives, while also strengthening its relationship with host communities and other stakeholders.
The EFCMP chairman further appealed to Abakam, whom he described as an important stakeholder in the federal constituency, to support initiatives promoting peace, unity and constructive cooperation among the four local government areas of Eket Federal Constituency, Eket, Esit Eket, Ibeno and Onna.
He stressed that sustainable development required stakeholders and communities to place common interests above divisions, urging the people of the constituency to embrace a shared development agenda.
Nsimah also appealed to Azimarine to consider qualified members of EFCMP, particularly professionals with relevant oil and gas experience, whenever opportunities for employment, training, consultancy and other professional engagements arise.
He said such opportunities would strengthen local capacity and enable qualified professionals within the constituency to benefit meaningfully from the expanding economic activities in the region.
Responding, the Managing Director of Azimarine, Engr. Michael Abakam, challenged Nigerian youths to stop waiting to become “leaders of tomorrow” and begin preparing themselves for leadership, entrepreneurship and professional responsibilities today.
Abakam emphasised the importance of practical skills, continuous learning, personal initiative and collaboration, noting that academic qualifications alone may no longer guarantee professional success in an increasingly competitive economy.
He encouraged young Nigerians to acquire vocational and technical skills, including welding and other specialised trades, stressing that skilled professionals could build sustainable careers and achieve economic independence.
The Azimarine boss also urged people who have attained positions of influence to deliberately create opportunities for others, saying true leadership should be measured not only by personal achievements but also by the number of people empowered and developed.
Drawing from his personal experience, Abakam disclosed that despite coming from a family that owns the company, he personally underwent welding training, which, he said, reinforced his appreciation of practical knowledge and technical competence.
He argued that vocational and technical education should not be regarded as inferior to academic qualifications, pointing out that highly skilled professionals could earn significantly more than people who rely solely on academic certificates or professional titles.
Abakam therefore called for a change in societal attitudes towards vocational education and skills acquisition, describing technical competence as a dignified and viable career pathway capable of transforming individuals and strengthening the local economy.
He also appealed for stronger unity between Eket and Ibeno, urging the people of both areas to reject unnecessary divisions and concentrate on their common interests.
“Eket and Ibeno should not fight ourselves. We cannot succeed when we fight ourselves. We are one, and when we are united, nothing can disrupt our growth,” he said.
The engagement ended with both parties expressing commitment to exploring areas of collaboration, particularly in skills acquisition, employment opportunities, professional capacity building, strategic communication, community advocacy, peace-building and sustainable development across Eket Federal Constituency.
