OBA: The quintessential leader@ 45Amos Etuk‘’Leaders aren’t born, they are made. And they are made just like anything else, through hard work….’’, Vince LombardiLeadership is an inspiration. It ushers motivation and the commitment to serve furthers exemplary templates that can add more value in the dynamics to make a society better. Leadership is visionary; it creates an opportunity to share a common goal, it lays new foundations for a rebirth and bonds the people to work towards defining and meeting set targets.The new generation of leaders in our developing economy and polity in Nigeria today has placed new possibilities in many arms of Government for the emergence of new leaders whom have identified with the sustenance of the Nigerian Project at the national level and the commitment to serve in responsibilities that will chart a positive course of growth in a nation in dire need of direction.Today’s new history of leaders in Nigeria under the current democratic dispensation is a stronger foundation of the depth of abundant young political czars determined to be the new bridge builders of national unity and decision makers walking along the path of sustainable development.Walking in this history is the milestone of one of Nigeria’s finest legislators in the current democratic dispensation specifically the Eight National Assembly in the person of Senator Bassey Albert Akpan, member, representing Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial District in the Nigerian Senate and the current Chairman, Senate Committee on Gas who marks a landmark birthday anniversary of Forty Five Years on October 28, 2017.The modest strides of this very distinguished and exemplary leader remain on the path of a success story and a team player at the national and state levels of the polity in the alignment for a greater Nigeria.Over the years, the story of Senator Bassey Albert Akpan walking the ladder of leadership has been a great source of inspiration to his generation, a motivation to the budding youths and a seal of blessings from the elders who have found in him exciting and convincing features that has today made the people of Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial District extol his leadership virtues in office in just over two years at the Nigerian Senate.From a humble background and a determined path to walk the life of destiny through the ranks from his educational and career backgrounds and his stellar performance as a public servant, Senator Bassey Albert Akpan brings to the fore a new dynamism in his duties, redefining effective representation and enhancing the welfare needs of a people under his Senatorial District with life touching and rewarding programmes.At Forty Five, Senator Bassey Albert Akpan’s achievements in office at the Senate has clearly distinguished him as one of Nigeria’s brightest choices in leadership, a patriot, philanthropist, astute politician, team player in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the National and State level , devout Christian, Sports lover, family man and a legislator earning high ratings in his schedules and ensuring that Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial district remains in the heart of the dynamic politics of the Nigerian Senate positively.His activities in the Senate have been worthwhile with many landmark contributions including the first set of motions on the floor on the failed state of the Calabar – Itu Road and growing concerns of the erosion challenges in most States in the country. That motion moved by him led to the setting up of an adhoc Senate Committee on Works which toured Akwa Ibom State and others to ascertain and have an on the spot assessment of the challenges in this area for the recommendations of the Senate for urgent intervention by the Federal Government.In just over two years in office and being one of the youngest legislators whose pedigree has been exemplary, OBA as he is fondly called has surpassed the bar of legislative excellence, redefined effective representation, ushered a stronger content for legislative debates and has been a strong supporter of Governor Udom Emmanuel in Akwa Ibom State.His motion on the need to curb the soaring rate of unemployment in the country has remained a yardstick for the Federal Government at the inception of the present dispensation under a challenging economy which went through a harsh recession phase to proffer solutions which eventually led to the Federal Government’s policy to pay unemployed graduates N5, 000 each, monthly.As a leader of the new generation, the need to protect his Constituency of tomorrow’s leader has been a template in his guiding philosophy in the Senate and would always support policies that will enhance the future of Nigerian Youths.He has sponsored the National Youth Employment and Development Bill 2017 which seeks to establish the National Youth Employment and Development Agency to provide for the promotion , coordination and employment of Youths in Nigeria and strengthen the National Directorate of Employment, the Nigerian Industrial Revolution Plan Bill which seeks to establish a legal and industrial framework for the implementation of the industrial revolution plan to ensure an accelerated build up of industrial capacity within Nigeria.He has also sponsored the Bill for an Act to prohibit flaring of natural gas in Nigeria especially from the South South region he hails and has seen the challenges communities have faced under the present unchecked circumstances which has affected communities and environments.A lover of Sports, Distinguished Senator Bassey Albert Akpan in 2015 sponsored the OBA Under 20 Unity Cup for the nine local government areas which make up Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial District. It was month long fixture which ended during the Christmas festivities and attracted sports administrators across the country, scouts and the leadership of the Senate Committee on Sports, Senator Obinna Ogba who graced the historic final at the Uyo Township Stadium witnessed by thousands of sports lovers where he was commended for the feat.His empowerment programmes have been life touching enhancing skill acquisition programmes for Constituents, supporting educational programmes, supporting health care delivery within the Senatorial District and providing employment opportunities for qualified Constituents in various parastatals and establishment.His annual undergraduate scholarship scheme has been widely commended giving hundreds of students the new vistas of opportunity through scholarship funded by him to ensure that the future legacies of the youths is well sustained under his leadership for a better society.On the political terrain, Senator Bassey Albert Akpan remains and has been a loyal party faithful of the Peoples Democratic Party. On the home front, he remains and ardent supporter and strong believer in the success of the Governor Udom Emmanuel’s administration eulogising his strong leadership features at all times in the strides achieved to govern and transform the state to the new destination it has gained and a firm believer in the re-election of Governor Udom Emmanuel Project in 2019.While at the national level, Senator Bassey Albert Akpan has been a towering figure behind the leadership of Senator Bukola Saraki, the Senate President of the Eight Senate for the independence and successes so far recorded.At Forty Five, Senator Bassey Albert Akpan walks on the tide of divine blessings upon his life and deserves every kudos on this landmark anniversary. The horizon of the new chapters that usher each day of his life will write new lines of greatness as he glows in more successes.In making a wish to celebrate this man of history, one can only pray that it can only get better and that the many decades ahead of him will be filled with God’s abundance and blessings on the path of his life. May your days and years ahead be glorious. Many happy returns Distinguished Senator
