John Owan Enoh, a 57-year-old distinguished Nigerian politician and educator, recently took over the reins as the Minister of Sports, succeeding Mr. Sunday Dare. Born in 1966 in the Agbokim Waterfall community, Cross River State, Enoh’s political journey began in earnest in 2015 when he became a Senator representing the Central Senatorial District of Cross River State during the 8th Senate Assembly.
A switch in his political allegiance saw him move from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the dominant All Progressives Congress (APC) in May 2017. Under the APC banner, Enoh boldly attempted the Cross River state governorship in 2019 but faced defeat against ex-governor Ben Ayade.
Academic accolades aren’t lacking for Enoh, as he possesses a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the esteemed University of Calabar, graduating top of his class in 1988. Between 1991-1997, his passion for education saw him impart knowledge at the same institution.
General Sani Abacha’s political transition programme in 1997 catalyzed his initiation into politics. This led to his election to represent Etung State Constituency in the Cross River State House of Assembly, where he showcased his leadership skills as a minority leader and later as the chairman of the Committee of Information. Enoh’s political influence expanded from 2003-2015 as he served the Obubura/Etung Federal constituency in the National Assembly, during which he chaired numerous committees, notably the Committee of Finance.
John Owan Enoh is recognized in more than just political circles. As an enterprising farmer, he owns expansive farms across Cross River State, spanning roughly 2000 hectares of cultivated land. Notably, his native Agbokim Waterfalls boasts 150 hectares of flourishing palms, a figure that’s duplicated in other regions such as Etara-Ekuri and other communities in Etung LGA.
Fostering community development, Enoh introduced an out-grower scheme, a brilliant initiative aimed at empowering local farmers, ensuring they have a sustainable market for their produce.
Beyond the realm of politics and agriculture, Enoh’s compassionate side shines through his philanthropic endeavors. The JOE (John Owan Enoh) Foundation is a testament to this, as it supports Nigerians living with diabetes. His commendable peace and conflict resolution efforts also earned him a prestigious fellowship at the Centre for Peace and Conflicts Studies, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
With a life dotted with political, educational, and philanthropic achievements, John Owan Enoh’s contributions to Nigerian society continue to leave an indelible mark.
