By Offiong Bassey.
Mr. Patrick Ali Eneji was born on 7th May, 1962 in Ubepa village of Bekwarra Local Government Area (LGA) of Cross River State.
He attended Saint Christopher’s Primary School Abuochiche, from 1970-1975, before proceeding to Bekwarra Secondary School Abuochiche in 1977, where he obtained his West African School Certificate (WASC) in 1982.
He joined the Presidency in 1983 and served meritoriously before retiring in 2018.
Eneji holds two Masters degrees, one in Military Geography(Remote Sensing & GIS Option) from the elite Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna; and another in Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice (MLCJ)from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Kaduna State. He also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography and Regional Planning from the University of Calabar and is currently pursuing Ph.D in Security and Strategic Studies at the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nasarawa State.
While advancing his career over the years, he earned several professional certificates in Nuclear Security, issued by the World Institute of Nuclear Security (WINS); the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA);Kings College,London; as well as
Basic and Advanced certificates in Imagery intelligence from the Joint Imagery Training and Analysis Centre (JITAC) of the French Ministry of Defence Joint Imagery Training Centre, Criel, France.
He rose through the ranks in the Presidency to head the Crisis Management and Geospatial intelligence department of the Simulation and Crisis Management Centre (SCMC).
He was the pioneer Principal Staff Officer (PSO) of the Geospatial Intelligence Unit of the Centre, where he midwifed the unit to a full fledged department.
Other appointments held by Eneji while in service include; Principal Staff Officer, Staff Development, Directorate of Training and Staff Development (DTSD); Staff Officer, Very Important Dignitaries Protection, Directorate of Security Enforcement(DSE);Security Liaison Officer to several visiting Presidents and Heads of State.
He was also a member of the Multi-National Joint Operation Centre on Counter-Insurgency operations under the auspices of the Joint Consultative Planning Committee (JCPC);Secretary Institute for Security Studies Upgrading Committee; Member, Committee on Security Implications of Climate Change in the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA); Interim Secretary, State Services Technical Academy (SSTA) Establishment Committee, Calabar;as well as Secretary, Presidential Villa Standard Operating Procedures Review Committee.
He also served as a member of the Presidential Communication Command and Control Centre (PC4).
He participated in various workshops both at home and abroad.
He is a member of the U. S based Institute of Nuclear Materials Management (INMM); Geo-Information Society of Nigeria (GEOSON); Cartographic Association of Nigeria (CAN); and the World Institute of Nuclear Security (WINS).
In recognition of his contributions to National Security, he was awarded a Certificate of Achievement for Meritorious Services in 2004 by his employer.
He was also commended by the U.S Department of State Partnership for Nuclear Security (PNS) in recognition of his commitment to the advancement of Nuclear Security and his key roles and support for the implementation of the pilot Human Reliability Program
(HRP) in Nigeria.
His passion for the socio-economic advancement of Cross Riverians is exemplary, as he has, and is still facilitating the empowerment of young Cross Riverians by placing them in strategic federal Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs).
Eneji is a critical stakeholder of the All Progressives Congress(APC) in Cross River State.
It is interesting to note, that after his thirty five years of meritorious service to the nation, he retired into private practice as a Consultant Security and Geospatial Intelligence Analyst.
He is currently the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) of Geospatial Solutions and Consultancy Services Ltd, an Abuja based consultancy firm.
He is happily married with children and a grand son.
Sir, as I join your family, friends and well wishers to celebrate you on your birthday today, may the Almighty God bless and keep you to render more services to Cross River State in particular and the country in general.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SIR.