Engr. Okon Francis Udofia, MNSE
Nung Asang Ikono
This rare gem was born on the 5th day of August in the year of the Lord 1961 into Nung Udofia Ekpene of Nung Asang Ikono Ibom in Uyo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
He had his early childhood education at Six Towns Qua Iboe Church Primary School, Ikot Akpabio Etinan LGA, where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC) in 1970 at Distinction Level.
He also acquired the WAEC Technical Certificate (City and Guilds of London Institute) Parts I and II in Motor Vehicle Mechanics Works - Ministry of Works and Transport Training School, Calabar, Cross River State (1975 – 1978).
To regularize his takeoff, he obtained the General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level from the University of Calabar, Extra-Mural Study Centre, Bedwell Street, Calabar, Cross River State in 1984.
As a first step to professionalism, obtained a bachelor’s degree B. Eng (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering Technology from the Federal University of Technology, Owerri in 1990.
Still in the quest for higher education, he studied and obtained a Masters Degree (MBA) in Project Management Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri in 2004.
This great son of Ikono ibom Clan in Uyo LGA has varied work experience in engineering practice and its related activities both in the private sector and oil/gas industries, spanning over twenty-nine years to include:
- Project Engineer / Community Relations Coordinator, Public and Government Affairs, Mobil Producing Nigeria, Qua Iboe Terminal, Ibeno on Contract through Grafen Limited, Eket.
- Served as Resident Mechanical Engineer on following Projects:
- Central Administrative Building Block, housing the Office of the Vice Chancellor, University of Uyo, Uyo
- Learning Centre, Central Bank of Nigeria, Kano Branch, Kano respectively while working with Interplan Engineers, Lagos.
- Worked with JIMCOL Resources Limited, which provided Engineering Consultancy and Project Inspection Services to Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited, a subsidiary of ExxonMobil on her Community Action Construction Projects, rising from Project Inspector to Acting Team Lead.
- Worked with Darakon Resources Limited and Delkem Associates respectively; Engineering Consultancy firms which provided the same Engineering Consultancy and Project Inspection Services as above to Mobil for five and three years respectively.
- Served in Greenway Industries Limited, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, for two years as Plant Supervisor, Management cadre.
- Worked with Itoku Consulting Engineers/Metan Nigeria Limited, Uyo as Senior Mechanical Engineer.
- Served with the Presidency, National Directorate of Food, Roads and Rural Infrastructure, Kaduna, Kaduna State during the National Youth Service Corps Programme.
- Had a rewarding and an extensive engineering exposure as Industrial Attachee with:
- Nigerian Newsprint Manufacturing Company, Oku Iboku, Itu, Akwa Ibom State in their Steam Turbine - Power Generation section for three (3) months – July to October,1987.
- Shell Petroleum Development Company, Port Harcourt, Rivers State in their Pipeline Construction and other oil/gas production facilities section for six months – April to October, 1989.
Besides, this illustrious son of Ikono Ibom Clan in Uyo LGA has a very memorable career history as follows:
- 2014 - 2019:
- Project Engineer providing support to execution of Community Assistance Projects and Special Projects II (SP II) in four Mobil core communities (Ibeno, Eket, Esit Eket and Onna LGAs) and four coastal communities – Ikot Abasi, Mkpat Enin, Mbo and Eastern Obolo LGAs.
- Community Relations Coordinator representing Public and Government Affairs on the execution of onshore projects by Nigerian Project Organization, ExxonMobil.
- 2005 - 2013:
- Resident Mechanical Engineer, Interplan Engineers, Lagos – Mechanical & Electrical Consultants to University of Uyo, and Mechanical Consultant at Learning Centre Project, Central Bank of Nigeria, Kano Branch. The responsibility involved supervision of all mechanical services installations in building – plumbing, central air-conditioning system, lifts, fire protection installations e.g. automatic sprinkler system, FM200 etc, and redesigning of the systems as need arises besides other responsibilities.
- Served as Senior Project Engineer/Inspector – Mechanical, and later became Acting Team Lead in JIMCOL Resources Limited, #6 Udofa Street, Eket, an Engineering firm which provided Consultancy and Project Inspection services to Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited (MPNU), a subsidiary of ExxonMobil Corporation, to her Community Construction Department handling Community Action Construction Projects. The services provided included and not limited to: full consultancy services on roads, buildings, electricity and water projects, and also covered QA/QC inspection and enforcement of Safety, Health and Environmental Policy of MPNU at project sites. As Acting Team Lead the responsibilities included and not limited to: Coordination of the activities of all professionals and non-professionals in the team - Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, Drivers, etc - toward achievement of the requirements of our Client- MPNU. Attending of Projects Review/Technical meetings with the Client as well as new Projects kick-off meeting with the stakeholders.
- 2000 - 2005:
- Senior Project Engineer/Inspector – Mechanical and Head of Mechanical Department, Darakon Resources Limited, 29B Afaha Eket Road, Eket, which provided the same kind of services to the same Client (MPNU) as above.
- 1997 - 2000:
- Project Engineer/Inspector – Mechanical, Delkem Associates, Consulting Engineers, 299 Ikorodu Road, Lagos, which provided engineering consultancy and projects supervision services to Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited, Community Action Construction Projects.
- 1995 - 1997:
- Plant Supervisor, Greenway Industries Limited, Aba/Port Harcourt Expressway, Port Harcourt, Rivers State; in charge of aqua ammonia production plant, bottling of anhydrous ammonia and LPG, repairs and maintenance of the plant, and also in charge of QA/QC of all the products.
- 1992 - 1995:
- Senior Mechanical Engineer, Itoku Consulting Engineers/Metan Nigeria Limited, 2 Wellington Bassey Way, Uyo, with the responsibility of design and supervision of construction /installation of mechanical equipment in buildings, laboratories, water supply projects, engineering auditing, appraisal and evaluation of plant and machinery in industrial set-up.
As a sound professional, he has had a good number of training sessions organized by Mobil Producing Nigeria, ExxonMobil subsidiary on:
- ExxonMobil Capital Project Management System (EMCAPS)
- Masters class on Effective Community Relations and Sustainable Development
- Digital Media & Project Management
- Records Management and Information Protection
- Water Survival/Swing Rope Training
- Safe Choice
- Weekly Departmental Safety Trainings
Besides, he has been trained by the Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria (ISPON) on:
- General Heath, Safety and Environment (GHSE)
- Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) Level 3 (Supervision)
Above are but besides professional training sessions as organized by the Nigerian Society of Engineers and COREN (Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria).
This great brain is registered with various professional bodies, but we will mention only two (2):
- Corporate Member, Nigerian Society of Engineers
- COREN (Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria) Registered Engineer - R. 10, 227
This great man has bagged many awards, to mention just a few:
- Winner, ExxonMobil maiden awards to best Community Construction Projects Inspector for first half of year 2001
- Ikono Ibom Development Union, Uyo Award of Excellence – December 2010
Due to his good leadership potentials, this great son has handled many positions of responsibility, but a few will be mentioned here:
- President, National Association of Cross River/Akwa Ibom States Students, Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) Chapter – 1987/88 Sessions
- Vice President, Society of Mechanical Engineering Students, FUTO – 1988/89 Sessions
- Patron, National Association of Ikono Ibom Students, Cross River State University of Technology Chapter, Calabar, Cross River State
- Served as National Vice President, Ikono Ibom Development Union, Ikono Ibom Clan, Uyo, Uyo Local Government Area
- Served in the Executive of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Uyo Branch in the capacities of Publicity Secretary, Financial Secretary and later the Treasurer
- Special Marshall, Federal Road Safety Commission
- Served COREN in ERM (Engineering Regulation and Monitoring) as one of the Inspectors in Uyo Zone
- An ordained Elder of Qua Iboe Church, Nigeria
This very peaceful son of Ikono Ibom Clan is coolheaded, kindhearted and could best be described as a “Gentleman of the First Order”.
He loves God and loves his people and has been in such a close relationship with his people from inception.
Engr Okon is married and the marriage is blessed with adorable children.