The ceremony, the first of its kind since the state was created, is tagged, “Home Coming”. It is meant to immortalise former commissioners of the ministry and recognise their contributions to the growth of the ministry and the state.

Unveiling about 50 crested seats with names of former commissioners and political heads in the conference room of the ministry, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Ini Ememobong, said the initiative was aimed at creating indelible imprints for all political leaders of the ministry to ensure their legacies remain alive in the hearts of the people for years to come.

He said there was no better way of expressing gratitude to the political heads, who he described as legends, for their past labours toward the development of the ministry than to immortalise them for posterity by cresting their names on seats in the conference room of the ministry.

He disclosed that the ministry will further extend the mementoes to different homes of the former commissioners and political heads as a means of preserving their legacies and encouraging their children and generations unborn to emulate their greatness.

“We will raise momentoes in your homes as a mark of appreciation for the good works you rendered during your years in office as commissioners and political heads of the ministry. It is our earnest hope that, the momentoes will ginger hardwork and dedication amongst your children and generations unborn, who will ask questions and aspire to get to those positions and even surpass them,” Ememobong stated.

While setting the tone for the event, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Akparawa James Edet,  described the ceremony as historic, reiterating that It was instituted to appreciate recipients, who have become reference points.

In their separate remarks, the former commissioners relived their years in office, stating that most government information management actions then, were taken with “immediate effect”, especially during the military regimes and poured encomiums on Ememobong for the honour done them.

They appreciated Comrade Ememobong and his management team for the visible branding and face-lift in the Ministry and particularly thanked him for recognising their past contributions which has rekindled their hope for a brighter future in the state.

The ceremony, which was witnessed by directors in the ministry, featured one minute silence in honour of all departed commissioners presentation of gift items and plaques to the legends.

Among former commissioners that attended were; Chief Chris Abasieyo, Mr. Etop Idung, Mr. Census Ekpu, Deaconess Christy Obot, Okon Nsabasi and Sir Charles Udoh, represented by his SA Media, Mr. Godwin Ibok, among others.