A/ibom honours Mike Asukwo, Businesday cartoonist to mark 33rd anniversary
Mike Asukwo, BusinessDay’s most versatile cartoonist has been honoured by the Akwa Ibom government to mark 33rd anniversary of the creation of the state.
Asuquo is among other notable indigenes of the state from all walks of life who have been singled out for honour in recognition of their contributions to humanity.
He is being celebrated because apart from an award-winning cartoonist, he is also one of the most influential cartoonists on the African continent, they noted.
According the organizers of the awards, Asuquo is “the most abrasive cartoonists in Nigeria, his cartoons have been described as poignant, acerbic and humorous.”
In a post on its website, they noted that his cartoons are “mostly counter-narratives against dominant governmental narratives on socio-political issues.
“The impassive nature of his cartoons provokes discourse on various sociopolitical issues and remain instruments of persuasion.
They say those nominated are those whose lives have been inspirational, who have demonstrated the can-do spirit of Akwa Ibom person in honesty and integrity.
Born in Idua Assang in Oron Local government of Akwa Ibom state. Asukwo attended the famous St Vincent’s College, Oron, and went to study Business Administration at Calabar Polytechnic, he dropped out in his second year to pursue his passion for fine arts at the prestigious Yaba College of Technology, specialising in Sculpturing.
In 1996 he left the institution as Best Graduating Student in the School of
Art, Design and Printing.
Contacted, Asuquo expressed delight and excitement over the award saying he least expected it especially coming from government.
He said he is always inspired by human situations and the need for a better society based on fairness and justice with abundant natural resources in the country.
Expressing gratitude to the state government “for the recognition and those who found me worthy for nomination in a state filled with individual deserving of awards and individuals who have made indelible marks in different fields of endeavour, he said he felt “real special to be so recognised.”
He also thanked the management of BusinessDay for all the support and inspiration saying that the unbiased editorial position of the newspaper “has really strengthened and embolden me.”