Asuquo Ekpenyong

Asuquo Ekpenyong (born 25 August 1985) is a Nigerian politician and financial analyst. He is the former Cross River State Commissioner for Finance and is currently the senator representing Cross River south senatorial district and the youngest Senator in the Nigerian Senate.[1][2][3]

Asuquo Ekpenyong
Commissioner for Finance Cross River State
In office
November 2015 – March 2022
Commissioner for transport and Marine services Cross River State
In office
October 2018 – May 2019
Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria representing Cross River south senatorial district
Assumed office
June 2023
Preceded byGershom Bassey
Personal details
Born (1985-08-25) 25 August 1985
Eniong Abatim, Odukpani Cross River State, Nigeria
Political partyAll Progressives Congress (2021–present)
SpouseNetanela Duke Ekpenyong
Alma materUniversity of Reading
OccupationPolitician
ProfessionInvestment Banker, Financial Analyst

Background and education

Asuquo Ekpenyong Jr was born into the family of Chief Dr. Asuquo Ekpenyong and Dr. Mrs. Iquo Ekpenyong. He did his secondary education at King's College, Lagos and further obtained a degree in Economics from the University of Reading in 2007 and a master's degree in International Banking and Financial Services in 2008.[4]

Career

Asuquo Ekpenyong worked as a financial analyst in Lagos, and then moved to Cross River where he worked for two years as a lecturer in the Banking and Finance Department of the University of Calabar. He established Iquasu Ventures Limited, a haulage and logistics company, in 2010 and later took over as Managing Director of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) licensed Chamley Bureau de Change Limited. Asuquo was later appointed Executive Director for finance at Pearland Energy, an indigenous Oil and Gas company, and member of the board of directors at Ekondo Microfinance Bank Limited.

In December 2015 Asuquo was appointed Cross River State Commissioner for finance by Governor Benedict Ayade at the age of 29, making him the youngest commissioner in Nigeria. He is the longest serving commissioner for Finance in Cross River State.[5]

In 2018 Asuquo was appointed commissioner for transport and marine services following the resignation of Mr. Savior Nyong to contest 2019 elections.[6]

Asuquo resigned as Commissioner for finance and Joined the race for governorship of Cross River State in the 2023 Cross River State gubernatorial election and was a leading aspirant until the emergence of Senator Bassey Otu as the consensus candidate of the All progressive congress (APC) in the state.[7]

In May 2022, Asuquo Ekpenyong emerged winner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primaries with 347 votes out of 351 accredited voters. He is currently running for Senator representing Cross River South Senatorial District.[8]

He was named the chairman, Senate committee on NDDC of the 10th senate on 8th August, 2023.[9]

Personal life

Asuquo Ekpenyong married Netanela Duke Ekpenyong, the second daughter of ex-governor Donald Duke in 2018, and they have two children together.[10]

References
  1. "Asuquo Ekpenyong: An Emerging Nigerian Star - THISDAYLIVE". www.thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 2023-06-20.
  2. "Election of Ekpenyoung as Senator-elect is Victory for Cross River South People, Says Ewa – THISDAYLIVE". www.thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 2023-03-30.
  3. "Asuquo Ekpenyong Is Nigeria's Youngest Commissioner". Nairametrics. 2015-12-09. Retrieved 2022-06-16.
  4. "Asuquo Ekpenyong Jr: Biography, age, wife, political career, and more". NewsWireNGR. 2022-05-27. Retrieved 2022-06-16.
  5. "Meet Nigeria's youngest commissioner, Asuquo Ekpenyong -". The Eagle Online. 2015-12-15. Retrieved 2022-06-17.
  6. "Cross River Assembly Confirms New Local Government Auditor, IRS Chairman As Ayade Shuffles Cabinet". CrossRiverWatch. 2018-10-04. Retrieved 2022-06-17.
  7. "Asuquo Ekpenyong kickstarts consultation, gets nod from Cross River Assembly, Prof Zana Akpagu". Vanguard News. 2022-04-28. Retrieved 2022-06-17.
  8. Onwuzurumba, Adaora (2022-05-28). "Cross River 2023: Asuquo Ekpeyong, Martins Orim pick APC senatorial tickets". TODAY. Retrieved 2022-06-17.
  9. "Lawan, Yari, Tambuwal, Oshiomhole, Sani Musa, Others Emerge Senate Committee Chairmen - THISDAYLIVE". www.thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 2023-08-09.
  10. "When Asuquo Ekpenyong hosted son's christening party". The Sun Nigeria. 2022-06-04. Retrieved 2022-06-17.
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