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Senator Albert: Redefining Legislative Representation & Public Service

Published

3 years ago

March 2, 2021

Anny Michaels

In measuring performance of a political office holder, one of the yardsticks, according to pundits is the ability of the occupant of such an office to match words with actions in delivering tangible dividends of democracy to the people.

One political office holder of note, who has been quite exemplary in this regard is Distinguished Senator Bassey Albert Akpan (OBA), representing Akwa Ibom North East (Uyo) Senatorial District and Chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream).

This is objectively so because an x-ray of his scorecard as a ranking Senator is simply superlative. He has 11 bills passed, five motions and 13 petitions.

Among his bills are: An Act to prohibit flaring of natural gas in Nigeria and for matters connected therewith 2020 (SB 174), an Act to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to provide for the inclusion of sovereign wealth funds established under the Nigeria Sovereign investment Authority (Establishment, etc.) Act cap N166 LFN 2004.

The third of the people’s Senator bill is an Act to amend Nigerian Oil and Gas industry, content development Act cap and for other matters thereto 2020 and for other matters connected thereto 2020 (SB 417) among several other bills.

He has received widespread accolades for moving powerful motions at plenary. One of which brought about the reinstatement of a police officer from Akwa Ibom State after 21 years of being wrongly sacked. He had all his salaries and benefits after being reinstatement as well as being promoted to the commensurate rank.

It is on record that Senator Albert is one public office holder who has a tastefully furnished constituency office strategically located at E7 Ewet Housing Estate, Uyo with standby 3 nos18 seater buses for constituency engagements. He also has in his employ at least four Aides drawn from the nine LGAs that make up Akwa Ibom North East (Uyo) Senatorial District.

Worthy of note is the fact that Senator Albert in his unique way of giving back to his constituents has overtime been donating cars, mini buses, tricycles, motorcycles, sewing machines, fish drying equipment, blocks moulding equipment etc were thousands of constituents have so far benefited from.

During the last yuletide, Senator Albert empowered no fewer than 520 physically challenged persons with wheel chairs , guide Cains, , cash and a bag of rice each. 5000 women and youths have so far benefited from the Senator’s signature trainings in entrepreneurial skills with the accompanying cash benefits to the beneficiaries drawn from the nine LGAs that make up the Senatorial District.

So far, there are 350 constituency projects spread evenly across the Senatorial District to the credit of the vibrant Senator.

At festive seasons over the years, he has been very consistent in giving back to his people with trailer loads of rice and cash to enjoy the merry making seasons.

OBA as he is fondly called, has awarded all school expenses scholarships to 381 indigenes of Akwa Ibom State currently studying in Federal and State universities across Nigeria.

For his meritorious services to Nigeria, especially in resolving the over a decade rift in the Escravous /Chevron Gas to liquid project as Chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream), which has translated to several millions of US Dollars now accruing to Nigeria, NNPC on the approval of President Muhammadu Buhari approved the conferrment of Special honour on Senator Bassey Albert (OBA) at an elaborate event in Abuja on January 9, 2020.

Thereafter came Democracy Heroes Award Award 2020, where he was honoured as the Most Outstanding Senator in Nigeria.

It may interest many to know that the Distinguished Senator regularly intervenes in the medical bills and other welfare concerns of constituents and beyond, done away from media attention, not to talk of school fees payments for as many that come his way. This act of magnanimity is in addition from his ongoing all school expenses scholarship programme, as he strongly believes in value addition public service.

Some Akwa Ibom sons are currently doing their post graduate studies abroad courtesy the people’s centric Senator and the beneficiaries are very loud in their appreciation for his incomparable kindness and statesmanship.

Senator Bassey Albert (OBA) had his forays into politics from an excellent banking background, having worked at several banks before becoming Vice President at First City Monument Bank (FCMB) in charge of South South operations.

His diligence saw him being appointed Commissioner for Finance in Akwa Ibom State and he served for over seven years, marked by torrents of accolades as he contributed immensely to human capacity development, community services which spanned infrastructural projects and others.

Today, he has given a big voice to Akwa Ibom people in the Senate. As a ranking Senator of reckon and Leader of Akwa Ibom Caucus in the National Assembly, Senator Bassey Albert is undoubtedly one public servant and politician that is tenaciously disposed to public good.

At all times, l admire his poised disposition, emotions ever under control as well as his humility and simplicity.

Senator Albert deliberately accepts the utilitarian theory of pursuing the greatest happiness of the greater number of the people as a governing political philosophy.

Of great admiration too, is his going about public engagements moderately, without egoistic display as is common in our political space.

Senator Albert has really shaped the narratives in public representation as witnessed in his legislative duties and engagements. Today, Senator Albert is seen by many beyond political boundaries, as a model for up and coming politicians.

Anny Michaels is SA on Media/Publicity to Distinguished Senator Bassey Albert (OBA)

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FG to Harness the Digital Economy to Empower Youth

Published

2 days ago

April 17, 2024

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Honourable Minister of State for Youth Development, Mr Ayodele Olawande has disclosed that the Federal Government is making efforts to harness the potentials of the digital economy in empowering the youth and creating sustainable jobs.

He made this disclosure in Abuja when he received the participants of the Senior Executive Course 46, 2024 of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, (NIPSS), Kuru, Jos, Plateau State who were on study tour to the Ministry.

Mr Olawande said over 50% of the population below the age of 30 have a significant demographic advantage in the digital age.

“Our youths are tech-savvy, innovative and eager to contribute to the country’s economic growth. However, they face numerous challenges including limited access to quality education, skills training and job opportunities.

The digital economy offers a unique opportunity for Nigeria to leapfrog traditional development challenges. With the rise of e-commerce, digital payments and remote work”. “Our youths can assess global markets, skills training and job opportunities like never before,” he added.

According to the Minister, challenges hindering the growth of the digital economy in Nigeria must be addressed.
He explained that to overcome the challenges, the Ministry has implemented initiatives such as digital skills training programs for youths, focusing on areas like software development, data analytics and digital marketing especially in the NYSC.

This, he disclosed is alongside partnering with Galaxy Back Bone to improve infrastructure, Internet connectivity and alternative electricity supply as well as funding opportunities such as grants, loans and venture capital for startups of small businesses with launching of the National Youth Investment Fund.

The Honourable Minister who hinted that the Ministry’ s goal is to create an ecosystem that supports entrepreneurship and employment opportunities for youth stated: ” We recognise that sustainable job creation is critical to Nigeria ‘s economic growth and stability”

”I urge you all to join us in this journey to harness the potential of the digital economy for youth empowerment and sustainable job creation in Nigeria.”, he added.

Mr Olawande further said that the opportunities and challenges underscore the need for a collaborative effort from all stakeholders to harness the potential of the digital economy for sustainable development.

The Minister who observed that there is a gap between the Government and the young people expressed his heartfelt desire for the Youths of the nation to feel the Government. He opined that the country has the most intelligent youths in the world.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation from NIPSS, Barrister Nima Salman Mann, mni said they are in the Ministry to research, proffer solutions, recommendations and strategies to help Government chart its course for the the year, with the theme : ‘Digital Economy, Youth Empowerment and Sustainable Job Creation in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges and Opportunities’.

.She also added that Ministry of Youth Development is very germane to this year’s theme .” We are with the Ministry of Youth to listen to what you are doing to help the youth, how you are doing it, strategic plans and way forward as well as how we can use the digital economy to chart the goal for sustainable job creation,” she concluded.

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