BARR. MIKE U. ANIAH

CROSS RIVER STATE GUBER ASPIRANTS 2015 (12)

Barrister Mike U. Aniah is a modest and accessible man who is doing a great job in Cross River State. He is truly tested and continues to be an asset to his Community, State and Nigeria at large.
Mike as fondly called is result-oriented and believes so much in hard work and the Unity and progress of the State, but most importantly he believes the youths must be guided to carve a wholesome destiny for themselves.

Born on July 2, 1967, to the people of Akorshi village in Bendi 1 Obanliku Local Government Area of Cross River State, Mike attended the University of Uyo majoring in Law before proceeding to the Nigerian Law School, Lagos, where he graduated with excellence and enrolled as Advocate and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

Barrister Aniah delved into professional practice with some reputable firms at Minna  Niger  State such as Chief Moses Akinshola and Co., as well as established the  famous Justice Chambers, Obudu between 1993 to 1994.

His leadership capability and commitment to service became more apparent when he was elected Chapter Chairman of DPN in Obanliku in 1996 and later Assistant Secretary PDP Cross River State Chapter in 1998.

 Mike’s spirit of hard work, and capacity to work under utmost pressure without supervision and still achieve astonishing results prompted former governor of the State, Mr. Donald Duke to appoint him as member, Governor  Elect, Donald Duke’s Policy & Transition Committee – a task he accomplished with firmness of purpose.

 Regarding his public service career Mr. Aniah has many feathers in his cap having served at various capacities and still does with what many described as rare and unequalled efficiency and competence.

In 1994 Mike had a brief spell as member of the State Oil Palm Board as a precursor to a higher calling, this time as Commissioner for Education between 1999 to 2001.

 He later became Commissioner of the Northern Senatorial Development Commission, before being brought back to oversee the then challenging office of Commissioner for Public Utilities with the uneasy task of realizing government policy objective in public utility and infrastructure especially rural electrification across the State – a responsibility he shouldered throughout the Donald Duke Administration.

Mike was later drafted to give impetus to the State Planning Commission as member between 2008 and 2011 before his elevation as Secretary to the State Government by the Imoke led administration of 2011.

 An articulate and constructive voice in the successive administration’s of the past fifteen years, Barr Aniah believes in continuity, with greater emphasis on poverty reduction, Good governance in public finance management as well as a conducive environment for growth and wealth creation.

 With the public private partnership driven economic agenda, Mike argues that the State is still largely public sector groomed with a weak propensity to achieve its Internally Generated Revenue targets, sequel to the tireless efforts of Senator Liyel Imoke administration, adding that the private sector has only made modest inputs to income, output and employment in the state.