HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO HIS EXCELLENCY SEN. LIYEL IMOKE AS HE CLOCKS 53 TODAY

In Cross River State, amiable governor Sen. Liyel Imoke clocks 53 today. And activities have been gearing up as friends and well-wishers within and outside the state are set with activities lined up to give his Excellency a memorable last birthday celebration in Office as Governor of Cross River State. For the Imoke immediate family, 10th of July every year is a remarkable day as the governors birthday coincides with his daughter Ledal and immediate younger brother Arch. Efa birthdays. In July 2003, Senator Imoke was appointed Nigeria's Minister of Power and Steel at a point, doubling as Minister of Education. As Minister of Power and Steel, Imoke implemented comprehensive refers in the power sector including the management of the passage of the Electric Power Sector Reform Bill in 2005, which resulted in the promulgation of the Nigerian POWER Sector Reform Act of 2005, and consequentially, led to the established of the Nigerian Energy Regulatory Commission (NERC), the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and the unbundling of the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA).  Also under Imoke's leadership, the ministry devised, and began the implementation of a 25-year national energy development plan, embarking on the largest power programme in the world at the time the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP). Senator Imoke was elected Governor of Cross River State on April 14, 2007, in a landslide. An Election Appeal Tribunal annulled that election in July 2008, which necessitated a re-run on August 23rd of the same year. Governor Imoke's previous victory was validated as he won, again with a landslide.
Governor Liyel Imoke has received many awards, including the This Day Award as Best Governor in Tourism Development for 1 2008 and was recently announced the winner of the prestigious Zik of Africa's Foundation Annual Award for ruler transformation and good governance for the year, 2013 and so many other Awards to his credit. Imoke was also conferred Doctor of Laws (LL.D) Honoris Causa by Imo State University in 2012. He is a member of the Nigeria Bar Association, honourary Fellow of the Nigeria Society of Engineers, Fellow of the Institute of Public Administration, amongst others. He is married to Mrs. Obioma Liyel Imoke, herself a lawyer, business and political leader, and a champion for children and women's rights. Their marriage is blessed with children.