Citation of Dr. (Mrs.) Grace Emmanuel Essien


Born on December 26, 1957 at Ikot Akpa Edet Ndiya in Ikono Local Government Area. Dr. (Mrs.) Grace Emmanuel Essien is an accomplished educationist and an experienced livestock farmer. Wife to Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien, she holds NCE from the College of Education, Hong, in Adamawa State, B.Sc. (Ed) Home Economics/Education, M.Ed and Ph.D Educational Management/Planning from the University of Uyo. A one-time member of Board of Governors, Lutheran High School, Ikot Ekpene. As a teacher, she has taught in many primary and secondary schools under the state education board in the then Cross River and Akwa Ibom States. She is presently, the Managing Director of Gracib Investments Limited, Director, Ritman Nigeria Limited and Proprietress, Ritman Schools in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State. She has attended courses/seminars both within and outside Nigeria, one of such having been organized by the Ministry of Agricultural Development Co-operation (CINACO) and the International Co-operation of Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MASHAV) of the State of Israel in 1998. She has also received various awards and honours such as Award for Excellence by Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio, Ikot Ekpene Chapter, for her enterprise and meritorious services to Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria and humanity, Distinguished Entrepreneur Award by National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) in recognition of her achievements and contributions to the growth of entrepreneurship in Akwa Ibom State, Woman of Merit Gold Award by PSR Magazine in honor and recognition of her accomplishments in education, Certificate of Recognition by Home Economics Teachers Association of Nigeria (HETAN) Akwa Ibom State branch in recognition of her contributions to the development of Home Economics Education in Akwa Ibom State, in 2010, Merit Award by Association for the Advancement of Vocational Education in Nigeria (AAVEN) in 2011 for her selfless contributions to the public in creating job opportunities for Akwa Ibom people. Dr. (Mrs.) Grace E. Essien is a loving wife and a caring mother who has injected the spirit of industry in her staff and encourages the staff to grow educationally. She is a proud mother of three children, all of them professionals in their chosen fields. She is widely travelled and enjoys music, cooking, reading, sports and farming.