| Born on November 23, 1949, Helen Esuene is the twelfth child of the family. Named after the famed Helen of Troy, Helen grew up with exceptional beauty and intellect. However, though Helen is Greek for “Bright One” her parents fondly called her “Glory”. |
Helen distinguished herself right from the primary and secondary school, including the Saint Louis College, Kano and the popular Cornelia Cornelly College, Uyo where she obtained a Division One grade in the West African School Certificate (WASC) examination in 1965.
She graduated in 1968 from the reputable Federal Government Training Centre, Kaduna with a Certificate in Secretarial Studies. Years later she enrolled in 2003 at the University of Leicester, United Kingdom (UK), where she obtained a Master of Science Degree in Finance.
She was appointed Minister of State for Health in July 2005 and Minister of Environment in January 2006. After a cabinet reshuffle in January 2007, Esuene was given an expanded portfolio as Minister of Environment and Housing. She left office in May 2009 at the end of the Obasanjo administration.
Helen became a senator representing Akwa Ibom South in the April 2011 elections on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP.
On leaving the Civil Service, she went into private enterprise, setting up Grafen Enterprises Ltd which later metamorphosed to Grafen Integrated Oilfield Services Ltd while Villa Marina Ltd came on board in the year 2000. The two companies are involved in the provision of Oil & Gas-related technical services as well as hospitality; they jointly have about 500 members of staff.
Grafen Integrated Oilfield Services Ltd has offered professional service for 27 years to both local and international organisations. Grafen provides Human resources, construction, engineering, inspection (NDT), electrification, maintenance, corrosion control, fabrication and Cathodic protection. Today, Grafen maintains strong impact, servicing the oil, gas, and other sectors of the Nigerian economy, the state-of-the-art technology. Provision of Jack-up barges makes it even more convenient for our clients towards integrated management approach on projects.
The second business of Helen is Villa Marina Hotel opposite Mobil Housing in Marina Avenue, Eket. According to Hotels.ng website, Villa Marina is a five-star hotel with all rooms reflecting the total understanding of the influences and ideas that create comfort, impact, beauty, elegance, usefulness and immense desirability.
In 1997, Esuene Foundation was established as a means of encouraging the less privileged in the society. The Foundation, funded entirely by Helen also initiated the Under-17 National Soccer Tournament which attracted the participation of 18 to 23 States of the Federation annually. The competition was successfully managed for six years.
As at today, over 100 doctors, engineers, lawyers and others have successfully completed their degree courses with the assistance of Esuene Foundation. Currently, there are 53 scholarship recipients in various universities across Nigeria.
