This development was greeted with much joy, excitement and happiness as well as appreciations especially from members of his Party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ebom/Bahumono Communities, the entire Abi people and elites in Cross River, who retreated their staunch commitment to the Sen. Ayade's led Government for finding their son and brother worthy of the appointment.
It will also be worthy to note that currently, the state is plunged into a huge financial debt which has had a vicious effect on the state’s revenue and has severely hampered rapid development in the state.
It is based on this backdrop that Thedailynewsng took a look at the quality in terms of qualification and experience of the newly appointed SA Debt Management, Cross River state. Hon. Ajah Francis Ajah.
Birth
Hon. Ajah Francis Ajah was born to Chief and Mrs. Ajah Francis of Bawetiti, in Ebom, Abi Local Government Area of Cross River State Nigeria.
Education
He started his educational journey in 1974 at the Presbyterian Primary school Ebom/Ebijakara, thereafter he proceeded to historic Bahumono Secondary Grammar School, Ebom(BAGRAM). Between 1989 and 2005 Ajah enrolled himself into the defunct Polytechnic, Calabar where he obtained a Higher National Diploma in Accountancy (HND).
Ajah’s complete educational qualification is listed below:
QUALIFICATIONS/PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS:
2017 : Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN).
2016 Masters of Science in Accountancy (M.Sc).
2009 : Master In Business Management (MBA).
2003 : Associate Member, Chartered Institute of Cost Management (ACCM).
2004 : Associate Member, Chartered Institute of Management (NIM).
2004 : Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM).
1995 : Higher National Diploma in Accountancy (HND).
Hon. Ajah Francis had spent the majority of his lifetime on earth imparting and creating impact in the financial and monetary sector of Cross River nay Nigeria’s economy. Ajah started his sojourn in the sector in 1989 when he got admission into the Polytechnic Calabar to study accountancy, till date Ajah has consistently and scrupulously kept faith with the business of accounting, formulating monetary and budgeting policies for both the public and private sectors depending on where he finds himself.
Experience
Ajah who has almost seen it all as far as politics in Cross River state is concerned has served in various capacities, permit me to list some of his notable work experience/ appointments:
2016- Date: Part-Time Lecturer, Saint Monica University, The American International University Center at College of Health Technology, Calabar.
2014- date: Sub-component Coordinator, SLOGOR PFM Coordinator Cross River State, Calabar.
2010- 2014: Sub-component Coordinator, State Governance and Capacity Building (SGCBP) River State, Calabar.
2010-date: Head, State Financial policy Mgt. Cross River State, Calabar.
2010-date: Member, Project and Committee of Cross River Geographical information system (GIA).
2013: Board Director, Cross River State Newspaper Corporation- Nigerian Chronicle.
2008-2010: Branch Controller, Unity Bank Plc, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
2008: Business Service Manager, Unity Bank Plc, Minna, Niger State.
2006-2009: Head, Treasury Management of the Unity Bank Plc, PHC Region.
2005-2007: Head, Inter bank and Intra bank Reconciliations of the PHC Region.
2006-2007: Head, Assets And Liabilities Reports/Returns of The Interstate Bank PHC Region.
2006-2007: Head, Rendering Port Harcourt Regional Reports to Bodies First, Interstate Bank
2006-2007: Budgetary Planning, Control And Implementation by
Monthly Performance Reports of the Port Harcourt Region and Balance Score Card (BSC).
2005-2005: Regional Cash Officer, First Interstate Bank Plc
2004-2005: Clearing Officer, First Interstate Bank Plc.
2003-2003: Fund Transfer Officer, First Interstate Bank Plc.
2003-2005: Finance Control Officer, First Interstate Bank Plc.
2003–2005: First Interstate Bank Plc.
1999-2003 Accountant, C. R. State Farm Mechanization Services Ltd.
1999: Member, Contract Review Panel, Abi Local Government Council, CRS.
1999:Member, State Transition Committee.
1999: Member, State Transition Sub Committee on Finance and Economic Development, Cross River State, Calabar.
1997- 2003: Assistant Lecturer, The Polytechnic, Calabar Cross River State.
1997: Convener, People Democratic Party (PDP)
1990- 1993 : Councillor/ Deputy Leader of Abi Local Government Council.
1990- 1993 : Member National Republican Convention (NRC).
Other Trainings/Workshops
2013: Workshop on Project Formulation and implementation by 10th EDF/NAO Support Project
2014 : Workshop on State Governance and Capacity Building (SGCBP) Calabar, Cross River State.
2016: Workshop on Procurement and Project Review at Awka, Anambra State, Calabar.
2016: Workshop on Strategic Planning and Result based Budgeting at Dakar, Senegal,
As a mark of responsibility and commitment to a course, Ajah is married to one wife Mrs Gladys Hotom Ajah. They both live in Calabar.
Hon. Ajah is a Grass root politician who has enjoyed the love, support and good will of his community as this can be seen in the recent chieftaincy conferment on him by his community.
It seems to me that Hon. Chief Ajah Francis Ajah was cut out for leadership, especially when it has to do with the financial sector. He is a man to watch! More so, as he mounts his new office in style, elegance and agility to transform the debt burden of the state.
Once again His Excellency, Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade demonstrated his ingenuity and deep thinking ability by identifying and singling out Chief Ajah for this job. Indeed there is no gainsaying that Chief Ajah Francis is the best man for the job and this is indisputable.
