Uto is the sweet Company Secretary at MTN and she is from Akwa Ibom
Yes, we Akwa Ibom people are not plentiful in the Elite band so when we come across the very few that we have contributed, we must shout.
Uto is not only the Company Secretary at MTN, but she is also the current President of the powerful Institute of Chartered Secretaries of Nigeria and was once adjudged by the global body as the best Company Secretary in the world in faraway Malaysia
Yesterday was her 60th and she invited me.
They said formal dressing and I went with my Kembe and a new pair of sneakers that I bought specifically for the occasion
As I sashayed into the elegant Harbour Point venue of the Party, I felt the eyes on me
Who cares, me I came to celebrate one of the most accomplished women out of Akwa Ibom and certainly one of the most prominent in the country
Her career progeny is one of the richest in this country- from UBA through MTN, you would be surprised that she is a Pro Chancellor of a University
I saw many big people at the party o. Olumide Akpata the LP Guber Candidate of Edo State was the first that I rushed to hug
I had heard of his affairs with bullets in Benin City which made me rush to hug him to check if everything in his body wasbcomplete.
Then I saw Godrey Ogbechie, the ever-sweet wife of my billionaire brother, Gabriel . I asked her, where is Gabriel and she said, he was in the village on his snail farm
Then I went to the power table. Ohhhh Uto looked like a damsel. Nothing near 60. Kai, sweet face, beautiful ensemble, grace and the calmness of the Mona Lisa
Aniekan the lucky hubby was seated obviously beside her and with pride, he announced – Duke she is my wife and I said Mbok, no doubt
Then I jumped to Senator Udo Udoma, the wise former Minister, whose great-grandmother triggered the Aba women’s riot and who is the subject of my upcoming play, Makamba, this December. He was with his lovely wife wbd Thisday Award winner, Sally.
On that table was Powerlist nominee, Atedo Peterside and his lovely wife. Hakeem Bello Osagie was also there, and he gave a brilliant speech
That is how I ended on a very powerful table with string people ooi
Mrs Udeme Ufot the ever brilliant and still classy SAN who is the lovely wife of my village man Udeme Ufot who is Nigeria’s brightest marketing Comms man and she whispered at me – I hear people are looking for you.
The Chairman of Ibom Air was on the table and the sleek Ibom Air Comms executive and my sister Annie sat beside me
Then I looked up and saw Tobe Okigbo. Gangling Tobe is the brilliant Exec at MTN who came with his wife the cerebral *ChiomaOkigbo* who is a far senior colleague
Just before, I decided to sit down and check the menu, I glanced at Dr Ini Abimbola
Oh, she looked divine in a white lacy material
But my star of the evening was exceptional Tony Ndah who looked like John Travolta in his outfit
Then I went and sat down and by clockwork, my Afang landed
These people prepared well for the Duke. The soup was delicious and came with the smoothest pounded yam ever
Just as I was leaving, I saw my big brother Larry Ettah who was the former MD of UAC and my long-time big brother, Mr Nsima Ekere who was former MD at First Trustees looking very fresh
Aniekan Etebiet the computing wizard was a favourite attendee also.
Uto pulled a beautiful crowd and she received brilliant accolades from people like Her Excellency Mrs Udom former Akwa Ibom First Lady
The Governor of our State was represented by his Attorney General who first refused to eat but fell for the smoky Jollof Rice
One thing I learnt yesterday from Uto’s lovely 60th is that truly, if you find a good woman, you have found fulfilment
Aniekan found a good wife and we all are happy for him.
Thank you
Duke of Shomolu
Last modified: March 13, 2026
