13 Facts About Ufot Ekaette

Ufot Ekaette was born on 1939 and was appointed the first Nigerian Minister of Niger Delta on 17 December 2008 by President Umaru Yar'Adua.

Ufot Ekaette left office in March 2010 when acting president Goodluck Jonathan dissolved his cabinet.

Ufot Ekaette joined the Federal Civil Service on 28 July 1964.

Ufot Ekaette was principal secretary to head of state General Yakubu Gowon.

Later Ufot Ekaette served in the Federal Ministries of Industries, Information, Education and National Planning.

Ufot Ekaette was secretary, Public Service Department and Head of Service.

Ufot Ekaette was director, External Finance at the Federal Ministry of Finance.

Ufot Ekaette was appointed permanent secretary, Federal Ministry of Industries in January 1986, then permanent secretary, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing in 1988.

Ufot Ekaette was director-general, Directorate of Food, Roads and Rural Infrastructure, director-general, Federal Ministry of Social Development, Youth and Sports and director-general, Federal Ministry of Budget and Planning.

Ufot Ekaette was appointed secretary to the Government of the Federation on 29 May 1999 by President Olusegun Obasanjo, holding office until the end of Obasanjo's second term in May 2007.

Ufot Ekaette's appointment was criticized by the militant Joint Revolutionary Council, who said that he lacked the drive and leadership required, and questioned the sincerity and commitment of Yar'Adua in making this choice.

Ufot Ekaette pointed out that in many cases workers had been brought in from other areas of the country, while locals suffered from pollution and lack of basic facilities.

In March 2010 the Joint Revolutionary Council called for the removal of Ufot Ekaette for alleged duplication of development projects in the Niger Delta.