Aniekeme Finbarr, the Special Assistant to Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State on Social Reorientation, has officially resigned from his position.
In his resignation letter dated November 21, which the state government received on Friday, Finbarr stated, “After almost a decade in the service of the Government I have decided to pursue a new professional role.”
Finbarr, a seasoned journalist, has been a key aide since the tenure of former Governor Udom Emmanuel and was subsequently retained by Governor Eno.
Initially appointed as the Special Assistant on New Media under Governor Emmanuel, he was later reassigned to focus on social reorientation initiatives by his current governor.
Announcing his departure on Facebook, Finbarr chose not to elaborate on his future plans, expressing a desire to embark on a new professional journey.
His decision marks the end of a significant chapter in his public service career spanning nearly ten years.
Beyond his governmental roles, Finbarr has garnered international recognition. He is among the 120 journalists from 101 countries honoured with the prestigious US Department of State International Visitors Leadership Programme Impact Award Grant for 2024.
Utilizing this grant, Finbarr launched a noteworthy project two months ago, where he trained 60 recent journalism graduates in areas such as digital media, artificial intelligence, and ethical reporting.
The selected graduates represented three prominent tertiary institutions in Akwa Ibom State; the University of Uyo in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State University in Ikot Akpaden, and Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic in Ikot Osurua.
This initiative underscored Finbarr’s commitment to advancing journalistic standards and empowering the next generation of media professionals in the region.
Finbarr’s resignation marks a significant transition for the Governor’s office, and his contributions to both the government and the field of journalism will be remembered as he moves forward to explore new professional opportunities.
