My Vision for Cross River Southern Senatorial District

My vision for our people of Cross River South Senatorial District emerges from a desire to adequately tackle the challenges of our collective development and growth through sound, and well articulated legislative agenda that touches on the important core of infrastructure, education, healthcare and socio-economic development.

Birth & Parentage

The Distinguished Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong was born on the 25th August, 1985, into the noble family of Obong Oniong Ekpenyong Etcheri Esin; a great grandson of Etcheri Iquo Esin ancestral family in Eniong Abatim, Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria. His immediate father, HRH Etinyin Elder (Dr.) Asuquo Ekpenyong, OON, NPON is the only son of an early 20th century teacher turned trade merchant, Etinyin Ekpenyong Oniong Ekpenyong Etcheri, and his immediate mother is Ekanyin Elder Dr. (Mrs) Iquo Asuquo Ekpenyong (nee Esuabanga), both of Asang Eniong Abatim.The Distinguished Senator was named Asuquo Asuquo Ekpenyong Oniong Ekpenyong Etcheri Esin according to custom.

Education & Training

Distinguished Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong took his first step in educational pursuit 1989 when he was enrolled into Aunty Margaret International Nursery School. He attended King's College, Lagos, Nigeria. for his secondary education and then proceeded to the university of Reading, United Kingdom, for a Bachelor Degree in Economics, which he obtained in 2007. The Distinguished Senator capped his educational degrees with a Master's Degree in international Banking and Financial Services with a Distinction in 2008.

Not saturated with the levelof his education, the Distinguished Senator acquired several other academic qualification from such ivy institutions namely Howard University, Harvard Business School and the University of Pretoria, South Africa among others. His career path was mapped, consciously chosen and deliberately guided to enable him sustainable takeover spirit inherent in the family blood and thus keep the dynasty flame glowing. All those familiar with human histories understand how great empires in United State of America, Europe and Asia thrived via succession stories.

Creating wealth is one thing but sustaining it through generations is another. This guiding light determined the training and exposure the Distinguished Senator received via the inherent tutelage system within the Etcheri Iquo Esin dynasty.

Working Career

Upon return to Nigeria by the Distinguished Senator, he joined the Faculty of Management Sciences at the University of Calabar as a Lecturer in the Department of Banking and Finance from 2019 to 2012. Eager to bring his knowledge to bear in the expansion of the business horizons in Cross River State, he incorporated and managed Iquasu Limited, which has become one of the most successful indigenous logistics services provider, serving major industries in the South - South and South - Eastern parts of the country, including Lafarge Africa Plc and Indorama Eleme Petrochemicals.

The Distinguished Senator served as the Managing Director of Central Bank of Nigeria-licensed Chamley Bureau de Change and as Finance Director of Pearland Energy Limited. He was also a member of the board of Directors of Ekondo Microfinance Bank from 2013 to 2015 and served on several critical board committees including the Credit, Establishment, Audit, Finance and General Purposes Committees.

Journey To Senate

Distinguished Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, was appointed the Commissioner of Finance in November 2015 by His Excellency, the Governor of Cross River State, Senator (Prof.) Benedict Ayade. He was also tasked with the additional responsibility of managing Nigeria's Premier Tinapa Business and Leisure Resort from February 2016 to April 2017. In 2019 he was re-appointed as the Commissioner of Finance, which position, he held until April 2022 when he resigned to contest for an elective position in the 2023 general elections under the All Progress Congress. He is the Senator representing the good people of Cross River South Senatorial District in the 10th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Family & Social Life

Distinguished Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong is a devout Christian, and is happily married to his heartthrob the delectable Ms. Netanela Donald Duke. The marriage is blessed with three cute kids- a girl and two boys.