Michael Essien was widely tipped to be one of Africa's next rising stars. Essien made his competitive senior debut in the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations against Morocco on 21 January 2002. but had played for Ghana in a pre-tournament friendly against Egypt on 4 January 2002. On 16 May 2006, Essien was selected to be part of the team that represented Ghana at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany. He played in midfield with team captain Stephen Appiah and Sulley Muntari. Essien played in Ghana's 0–2 defeat to Italy, their 2–0 victory over the Czech Republic, and the 2–1 victory
Nduese Essien Nduese Essien Nduese Essien (born 2 February 1944) was a Nigerian National Assembly representative from Akwa Ibom state from 1999 to 2007, and was appointed Federal Minister of Lands, Housing & Urban Development on 6 April 2010, when Acting President Goodluck Jonathan announced his new cabinet. Essien was born on 2 February 1944 in Nta Isip-Ikot Ibiok, Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. He attended Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria where he obtained a B.Sc in Business Administration in 1972. Essien's first job was with "The Chronicle" newspaper in the commercial department. In 1974 he became a lecturer at