Dr Hippolatus Lukpata's One Year Stewardship As Commissioner For International Donor Coordination in Cross River State

On this day, 15th August, 2023, Hon Dr Hippolatus Lukpata Ogar was inaugurated by His Excellency, Senator Prince Bassey Otu as Commissioner for International Donor Coordination in Cross River State.

The appointment was in recognition of Dr Lukpata's knack for service and due diligence within and outside the shores of the state .

His appointment was on the heels of a short stint as Commissioner For Water Resources under the previous administration which indicates a revalidation of his service to the state in another capacity.

Under his watch as Commissioner in the ministry of international donor coordination, he has illuminated the path of progress and propelled innovation for the ministry by significantly enhancing development partnerships into the state.

His strong footing about due diligence and attention to details jolted him to constituting the monthly Development Partners Forum as a way of improving synergy and collaboration among stakeholders.

This is an action with an eye for mutually beneficial results between the ministry which is geared towards succour to Cross Riverians and development partners.

Undoubtedly, this effort not only seeks to streamline coordination in line with standard procedures but also fosters sustainable development having understood focal areas of attention through inputs from development partners.

To substantially increase donor funding and expand developmental assistance across vital sectors in the state; the new elixir in the ministry has so far attracted five new development partners into Cross River State. Perhaps, his international experience honed from membership of different technical commitees in his blugeoning career is being brought to the fore by influencing development partners to key into the needs of the state.

Elder Lukpata Ogar places a very high premium on the "People First Agenda" of His Excellency, Senator Prince Bassey Otu's administration. Even as Chairman of the Cross River State NG-CARES Steering Committee, he has successfully steered the disbursement of about N31 billion to Cross River people across the state.

Based on the propreity in conduct he exhibits in public service, the Commissioner's Northern Star presence in the steering Committee placed the state in second position nationally and first in the South-South geopolitical zone as one of the states that expedites due diligence and administrative finesse in enhancing NG-CARES initiative of the Federal Government.

As a pragmatist whose vision is enamoured by a virile approach to enhanced productivity. The Commissioner entrenched a capacity building through the training of programs/projects Desk Officers in the ministry for enhanced skills in program management and donor coordination for effective service delivery.

To reawaken service delivery in line with the policy direction of His Excellency, Senator Prince Bassey Otu. Elder Lukpata reactivated the weekly staff meeting in order to have a grasp of developments from the field.

He accentuated the provision of functional laptops for the Public Relations Department which showcases his disposition to improving administrative capabilities of staff members in the ministry especially in collating vulnerability assessment data.

In just one year in office, the Commissioner has rejuvenated the Monitoring and Evaluation Department in the ministry and established a dedicated website for the Ministry to reflect his commitment to transparency, two-way synergy between the ministry and the public on one hand and collaboration from development partners on the other hand.

This development is aimed at sustaining the ministry's deliberate efforts to chronicle achievements in the forthcoming quarterly magazine to showcase its successes and initiatives for the next cycle.

Honourable Lukpata is considered as the ideal community development advocate having continuously engaged several stakeholders at the community level to ascertain their needs.

Indeed, this humane approach expands the frontiers of development through indelible efforts of getting first hand information for more soothing interventions.

From a political perspective in Yala Local Government Area and across the state, Dr Lukpata is not just accessible but takes very proactive measures in improving the potentials of people around him.

His effort spans across agricultural revolution initiative, peaceful co-existence, engaging with community leaders, identifying and partnering with community based groups in the forefront for development.

Reeling out one of his numerous qualities especially educational support to people; Michael Olom, a recent PhD graduate of human Kinetics and Health Education, University of Calabar commended the Commissioner for his generosity and support towards his constituents.

Dr Olom described him as a dedicated leader with a genuine concern for education because his record of assisting students with bursaries and financial support remains very high.

This exemplary leadership and philanthropic effort in his sphere of influence in the state reaffirms that the governor truly saddled responsibilities to a square peg in a square hole. Expectedly, more results would be seen in the next few years.