Senator Albert: A Classic Mix of Charisma, Courage and Candour

By Anny Michael

The décor at Senator Bassey Albert’s Liaison Office, Uyo is a great appeal for the good people of Uyo Senatorial District and the people centric Senator. That hall which seats at least 500 persons and is tastefully furnished with split ACs was within the first six months of the Distinguished Senator’s current stay at Nigeria’s senate built and donated to the good people of Akwa Ibom North East (Uyo) Senatorial District to enable them have a befitting event centre for marriages, naming Ceremonies and other allied social and economic development matters.
Clearly, this is the first time a Senator from Akwa Ibom North East is putting in place an effective constituency office to serve as a rallying point for Uyo Senatorial District. Many of his constituents see this as a big feat by their Senator who has equally shown tremendous capacity in legislative engagements even as a first timer at the senate to chair the senate committee on Gas Resources. It is on record that Senator Albert has impacted greatly on the lives of young people from the senatorial district especially in the areas of scholarship, sponsorship for skills acquisition financial support for business development, empowerment for women and much more.
I have lost count of cars he has given out to people, l have lost count of houses he has built for people, l have lost count of people he has written off their hospital bills, l have lost count of other humane interventions, l have lost count of boys he has practically made men, l have lost count of people he has assisted set up businesses for. I’m often left with a prayer that God Almighty Himself should bless him more to do more for humanity as it does appear genuinely he is in politics for service. A man that has become a role model in our political space and a timely inspiration for up and coming politicians.
That is perhaps why a Development Journalist, Victor Agbenson recently described the Senator as a man truly called for service, a huge support for development and one who enjoys putting smiles on the faces of his people.
The Senator himself alluded to this in a recent interview when he declared ’’For me making people happy is a way of life. I believe very strongly that living well is not how rich one is but the ability to impact on the lives of others. I owe my people a duty to ensure that they feel the impact of my representing them at the National Assembly”.
The Distinguished Senator again believes greatly in education that is why he also stressed “If you support someone in the course of his educational pursuit that is a major empowerment”. Let me say perhaps point blank that in my voyage in the media, I have not heard of a politician from this clime publicly declaring that he feels fulfilled making people happy. It is a very positive political statement. It could just be the very nature of the former colourful banker and Commissioner of Finance in Akwa Ibom. This is just exemplary of leadership. Even on how he relates with his political opponents, he exudes humaneness that could be shocking as depicted when he met the APC Senatorial candidate for Akwa Ibom North East (Uyo) Senatorial District in the 2015 election,Hon Emmanuel Obot at an event.
It is also on record that within the first six months in office, Distinguished Senator Obong Bassey Albert (OBA) after many years of neglect nominated two major roads in Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial District which are to be constructed by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) courtesy of him. The roads are obong Itam-Ekit Itam-Mbiaya Uruan-Ikpa-Mbiakong-Idu Uruan phase 1, located in Uyo and Uruan Local Government Areas and Ikpe Ikot Nkon-Ikpe Okon – Ikpanya road located in Ini and Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area. It is a fulfillment of his political vision to continue to contribute to the infrastructure development of the senatorial district in particular and the State in general.
On the development, the charismatic Senator said “When completed, the road which has suffered several years of neglect will contribute to the socio economic development of the four affected local government areas. The roads will also ease access of the people to other parts of the State”.
For his strong believe in people involvement in governance, the Senator on assumption of office did set up a management committee for his liaison office in Uyo chaired by a seasoned politician and entrepreneur, Mr. Daniel Udoh alias North South with members drawn from all the nine local government areas that make up Uyo senatorial district. This is a departure of how constituents feel leadership by their Senator in times past. How about his 2015 football tourney that engaged over 200 young constituents including other stakeholders positively? The football meet has helped to discover new talents in football and at the same time enriching them with fabulous prizes. At the moment, thousands of these football enthusiasts are already praying for another football moment to give them another opportunity to display their skills and win cash.
Senator Bassey Albert (OBA) is also a good party man and one who has shown tremendous respect for his party, the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) even in decision he had to take to show the supremacy of the party in the course of his political journey. He is also a team player working tirelessly to ensure that the PDP family succeeds in leadership in his home State, Akwa Ibom. Senator OBA as he is fondly called is an inspiration to up and coming politicians and a true lover of the people which shows in the expression of love to the people at various times.
It was Roberts Louis Stevenson who first wrote “keep your fears to yourself but share your courage with others” and this the Senator has shown courage in his political odyssey. Frankly, his love for his people knows no bounds.
Looking into the future, Senator OBA promises to continue to serve his people with the passion vintage Senator Bassey Albert (OBA of Africa).