Eme Ufot Ekaette listen born 21 July 1945 hails from Nduo Eduo-Eket,[1] in Akwa Ibom State. She is married to Obong Joseph Ufot-Ekaette since 1971.[1]

Eme Ufot Ekaette
Senator for Akwa Ibom South
In office
29 May 2007 – May 2011
Preceded byUdoma Udo Udoma
Succeeded byHelen Esuene
Personal details
Born (1945-07-21) 21 July 1945 (age 79)
Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
Political partyPeople's Democratic Party
SpouseMarried
Alma materObafemi Awolowo University
ProfessionPharmacist, Politician

Education

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Eme had her early education at Banham Memorial School, Port Harcourt between 1952 and 1958. She attended Queen's College, Lagos between 1958-1963 and Queen's School, Enugu between 1964 and 1966. Ekaette obtained B.Pharm. (Hons) at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife in 1970.

Profession

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Pharmacist, Business woman, Politician, Former Lawmaker[1]

Politics

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She was elected Senator for the Akwa Ibom South constituency of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, taking office on 29 May 2007. She is a member of the People's Democratic Party (PDP).[2]

After taking her seat in the Senate in June 2007, Ekaette was appointed to committees on Women and Youth, Local and Foreign Debts, Health and Environment.[2] In a mid-term evaluation of Senators in May 2009, ThisDay noted that she had not sponsored any bills but had shown committed leadership to her Women Affairs Development Committee.[3] Later she sponsored a bill on Indecent Dressing, which became known as the nudity bill.[4] The proposed legislation would prescribe three months imprisonment for women who display their belly buttons, breasts or wear mini skirts in public places. The bill was presented by a Nigerian delegation to the United Nations General Assembly, where it drew some criticism, and was a subject of considerable controversy in Nigeria.[5]

Career

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She became a Manager Pharmacy at NNPC, Chief Pharmacy at Military Hospital, managing director at Safi Pharm, board member of UBEC and a director of Union Bank.[2] Her husband, Ufot Ekaette, was a senior civil servant who was appointed Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) on 29 May 1999 by President Olusegun Obasanjo, and later served as Federal Minister of Niger Delta in the cabinet of President Umaru Yar'Adua.[6][7]

Honours and titles

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She was honoured as Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR),2001 and Lady of St. Christopher. She also was honoured with a traditional title as Adiaha Ikpaisong Oruk Anam, 1991 and Obonganwan Akwa Ibom, 1991.[8]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Nyaknno, Osso. "EKAETTE, Lady (Senator) Eme Ufot (nee Ekwo)". Biographical Legacy and Research Foundation. Biographical Legacy and Research Foundation. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
  2. ^ a b c "Sen. Eme Ufot Ekaette". National Assembly of Nigeria. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 15 June 2010.
  3. ^ "An Improved Senate, But Some Uninspiring Senators..." ThisDay. 24 May 2009. Retrieved 15 June 2010.
  4. ^ "Eme Ufot Ekaette's metamorphosis". 234Next News. 4 May 2010. Archived from the original on 14 July 2011. Retrieved 15 June 2010.
  5. ^ Chioma Gabriel (19 July 2008). "Nudity Bill: How Govt Officials Embarrassed Country With a 73-man Delegation at the UN". Vanguard. Retrieved 15 June 2010.
  6. ^ JOE EFFIONG (1 May 2007). "WAR OF WORDS: SGF, Ufot Ekaette and kinsmen trade blames over each other's usefulness". Daily Sun. Archived from the original on 9 October 2007. Retrieved 16 April 2010.
  7. ^ LUCKY NWANKWERE (24 December 2008). "Yar'Adua swears in four new ministers, tasks them on corruption". Daily Sun. Retrieved 16 April 2010.[permanent dead link]
  8. ^ Nyaknno, Osso. "EKAETTE, Lady (Senator) Eme ufot (nee Ekwo)". Biographical Legacy and Research Foundation. Biographical Legacy and Research Foundation. Retrieved 11 March 2019.