Profile
Ntufam Sandy Ojang Onor is a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, representing the Cross River Central Senatorial District in the 9th Assembly of the Senate, on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party. He has influenced many policies in the Nigerian-Cross River State Local Government System. He is the gubernatorial candidate for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2023 election.
Personal Life
He was born on 14th February 1966 in Ikom, Ikom local government area, Cross River State. He is married, a devoted Christian, an educationist, administrator, author and philanthropist.
Education
| School | Qualification | Year |
| University of Calabar, Cross River State | PhD History | 1988-1993 |
| University of Calabar, Cross River State | B.A History | 1983-1987 |
| St. Brendan’s, Obubra LGA, Cross River State | Secondary School Leaving Certificate | 1976-1981 |
| St. Francis, Obubra LGA, Cross River State | First School Leaving Certificate | 1971-1975 |
Work History
| Place | Position | Date |
| Duraform Company Ltd., Ikom, Cross River State | Director | 1993 |
Ikom, Ikom LGA, Cross River State.
14th February 1966
Cross River State
People’s Democratic Party
Christianity
Senate Member, Representing Cross River Central Senatorial District (since 2019)
Political History
Onor broke into politics by being the Local Government Chairman of Etung Local Government Council, Cross River State, between 1999 and 2002. During this time, he also served as the State Chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Cross River State Chapter. He was later promoted to the Deputy National President of the ALGON.
Between 2004 and 2008, Onor was the Chairman of the Local Government Service Commission, before becoming the Commissioner for Agriculture in Cross River State from 2010 to 2011. In 2012, he was moved to the Ministry of Environment, and served as the Commissioner of the Ministry, until 2013.
In 2019, on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party, Onor won the election to represent the Cross River Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly. He is the Vice-Chairman of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) and Tertiary Institutions.
He will be resigning from his position as the senator representing the Cross River Central Senatorial District to contest for the Cross River 2023 gubernatorial election under the banner of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Leadership Style/Philosophy
Awards & Honours
- 2021 Award of Honour in Recognition of Contribution to National Building and Development by the National Association of Political Science Students, University of Calabar Chapter
- 2020 Award of Appreciation by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN)
- 2001 NLC Prize for Excellence in Labour Management in Cross River State
- 2001 Honorary Fellow, Chartered Institute of Local Government and Public Administration of Nigeria
- 1987 Chief Ekanem Ita Prize for Best Graduating Student in History, University of Calabar
- 1987 Professor Eyo Ita Prize for Best Graduating Student in History, University of Calabar
Project
- Facilitated Erosion Control and Road Asphalting project in Biajua Community, Boki LGA, Cross River
- Donation of 250 desktop computers, air conditioners, printers, generators, standing fans and other equipment to several secondary schools across his senatorial district
- Construction of Civic Centre at Itaka, Etung LGA
- Renovation of Community Town Hall at Abijang, Etung LGA
- Installation of Solar Street Lights in several local governments in Cross River Central Senatorial District
- Bulldozing and Grading of 10.2km Kakwagom-Ogoja Road,Boki LGA
- Design and Construction of Osopong Bridge, Obubra
- Facilitated empowerment outreach, in which 650 constituents got empowered with motorcycles, refrigerators, vulcanizing machines, sewing Machines, pumping machines, grinding machines and tricycles
Financial donation to the Blood Bank Project in the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH)
Criticism/Controversy
- In 2022, Onor spoke against zoning of governorship in Cross River State, stating that it has never been a tradition in the state. The discussion on the zoning of the governorship of the state in the 2023 election has become controversial, with some politicians such as Governor Benedict Ayade supporting it. The supporters are of the opinion that power should return to Cross River South after going around the three senatorial districts. Onor, during a press briefing, stated that competency should not be sacrificed for zoning; this amounted to backlash from some politicians in the state.
- In June 2020, Onor was dragged on Cross River cyberspace for his lack of performance in his first year as a Senator, and for overhyping his competence during his senatorial campaign.