The Director of Air Worthiness Standards of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Engr Ita Awak, will be officially conferred with a revered traditional title of Okete Okete-Oro by the Ahta Oro VII, Ovong Edet Okon Isemin on April 28, 2018.
The event is scheduled to take place at the Oron Civic Center by 10 am.
Ita Awak was born on 27th April, 1960 to the family of Chief Okon Henry Awak of Eyofai, Enwang Community in Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. He started his primary education in 1965 at Methodist Primary School, Enwang, and finished in 1971at Zumratul Islammiya Primary School, AraromiOlodi, Apapa, Lagos State where he had his First School Leaving Certificate.
He began his secondary education first at Methodist Secondary School, Ete, Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State from 1972 to 1976 and following the cancellation of the WAEC result of the entire school, he proceeded to Sarduana Memorial College, Kawo- Kaduna, Kaduna State where he got Grade One in the West Africa School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE) in 1977.
In 1983, he attended Nigeria College of Aviation Technology, Zaria and graduated as a licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer in 1987. He was the first and last student of the Department of Engineering to assume the office of President of the Students’ Union (1984-1985) at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology.
Ita Awak worked as Line Engineer, Express Airways, Kaduna from 1987 to 1988; Helicopter Engineer, Bristow Helicopters from 1989 to 1992, Senior Engineer, City-Link Airlines, Port Harcourt from 1992 to 1995 and Deputy Chief Engineer, City Links Airlines from 1995 to 1998. To deepen his technical and professional competence, ItaAwak successfully completed several specialized aviation training courses in Brazil and the United Kingdom. Hence, throughout his career as an Aircraft Engineer, Ita Awak has maintained a track record of professionalism and excellence.
As a prolific writer, community builder, and astute politician, Ita Awak has worked tirelessly to deepen democratic values and promote good governance not just in Akwa Ibom State but also in Nigeria. He served as Commissioner for Information and Culture in Akwa Ibom State from 2002 to 2003. Until his appointment as a Director in the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Ita Awak served as Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Akwa Ibom State Chapter; a position he handled with unparalleled dignity and candor.
The honour done him by the Oro Nation’s highest traditional stool is a well-deserved honour.