The Secretary to the State Government, Sir Etekamba Umoren was over the weekend honoured by the University of Benin Alumni Association as Distinguished Alumni of the prestigious Institution.
At the 4th Global Home Coming of UNIBEN Alumni Association which took place at the University Banquet Hall, Sir Umoren was one of the 29 persons honoured by the Alumni Association for their outstanding achievements in various fields of endeavour.
The President of the Association, Hon. Ifaluyi Isibor said that in building the list of nominees for the awards, more than 200 entries were received but only 29 from different fields of endeavor were carefully selected. He congratulated the recipients of the Distinguished Alumni Awards, pointing out that meriting the award means that they have been outstanding in their areas of specialty.
Sir Isibor observed that the intention of the Award is to encourage Alumni of the Institution to strive to do well so that they can continue to carry the name of the university higher.
The president noted that University of Benin has graduated more than 300,000 people but does not have up to 300 persons that can be identified as Distinguished Alumni, pointing out that the Award is important and of great significance.
He told the recipient  of the awards that the honour is a call to duty stating that having been separated from the multitude, many including the Association would look up to them. He advised them to continue to attend meetings while also ensuring that they continue to do well in their various engagements.
Commenting on one of the recipients of the Distinguished Alumni Award, Sir Etekamba Umoren, Sir Ifaluyi Isibor said “Sir Umoren is a great Alumus.” He cited his humility which he said made him serve as chairman of the Alumni Branch while he was Permanent Secretary noting that it is such service minded interest that has taken him to the height he has attained.
The President, Nigeria Football Association, Mr. Amaju Pinnick had this to say of Sir Etekamba Umoren; “He is very thorough, very astute, very amiable, very dedicated, very disciplined. As Chief of Staff to Akpabio, we worked very closely when we wanted to open the Stadium. You will never find him wanting. I am very proud that he is an alumnus of my University.”
The immediate past president of the University of Benin Alumni Association, UBAA, in his comment described Sir Etekamba Umoren as a silent achiever noting that he has always been very committed.
The erstwhile President submitted that Sir Umoren is a worthy ambassador of the Association maintaining that Akwa Ibom State is very lucky and honoured to have such a person as Secretary to the State Government. He concluded that the sky is the platform from which he would go to the next level.
Macaulay Omo, a member of the University of Benin Alumni Association described Sir Umoren as a humble man with impeccable service record. He said that you could call Sir Umoren at 2.00a.m only to realize that he is still working, noting that where he has reached is a direct reward for hard work.
Mr. Omo said that he is happy that Sir Umoren is being recognized by his peers asserting that the recognition is greater than that of government.
Sir Etemba Umoren in his reaction thanked the Alumni Association for recognizing him, recalling that he graduated from the school some thirty-one years ago.
Sir Umoren said that the Award is a message that he still has a lot to do for the association pointing out that the University of Benin Alumni Association has shown that it loves its prophets. He advised other awardees to cherish the awards reminding them that they did not buy them.
He charged them to continue to contribute their quota to ensure that University of Benin maintains its pride of place in the comity of universities.
The vice-chancellor of the University of Benin, Prof. Faradey F. O. Orumwense thanked the Association for their commitment and steadfastness. He said that the administration was doing so much to curb cult related activities and solicited the Alumni Association to continue to support the institution.
It was the second time Sir Etekamba Umoren was bagging the Distinguished Alumni Award having been earlier honoured by the Association.
The event which was chaired by Senator Enyinna Abaribe, attracted eminent personalities and several alumni of the institution with many of them also as recipients of the Alumni Awards. Among the personalities were the high-life music maestro, Sir Victor Uwaifo, notable football administrator, Amaju Pinnick, the current world scrabble champion and many others