AKWA IBOM 2023: WHAT DOES SENATOR BOB HAVE TO OFFER?

By Inemesit Ebu

As the 2023 general elections draw near, expectations are high on the choice of the next governor.

From experience, the electorates show some levels of satisfaction when they make good choice on who leads them especially as governor.

A good leader is seen as one who fulfills his electioneering promises.

An effective and visionary leader will have long-run positive impacts on the citizens of his or her state in terms of their economic well-being, faith in government and democracy and long-run values and expectations.

A lot is still expected from any leader who will be considered for the top job in Akwa Ibom State. One person that comes to the minds of the electorates is Distinguished Senator Effiong Bob who is an employer of labour with the aim of making the youth to gain meaningful employments in the State.

He knows the rudiments of a good leader having got experience right from the grassroots level. He is expected by our youth in the state to flatten the curve of unemployment in the state due to his ownership of companies with the sole aim of curbing unemployment in the state. He is ready to do it again.

Senator Bob is a lover of education. It is critical for a leader not only to define the challenge, but to specify how state government will provide the specific opportunities, which are education and training opportunities, to meet the challenge of unemployment. The key component, however, is for the leader to provide an optimistic message that will increase the value of education for all citizens. The result is that citizens will take the initiative to upgrade their own skill levels and will develop a higher expectation of the importance of education.

Over time, the culture will change, providing a lasting benefit to the individuals, the community and the state in terms of self employment and higher revenues.

As Chairman of companies in the State, he is involved in businesses ranging from mining to hospitality and other businesses. with these companies, he has employed majority of youth who would , perhaps had been unemployed today, with the sole aim of curbing unemployment in Akwa Ibom State.

In view of his long-standing competence, pedigree and experience in leadership, representation as well as delivery, Sen. Bob readily comes to mind in the quest for one with the requisite requirements for the bright future envisaged by everyone. Walking the future with him will therefore, assuredly amount to positivity for all.

Sen. Bob started his political career from being a people’s advocate to a Councilor. He was Councilor for Works and Transport in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area in 1990, before being elected as Member of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly between 1992-1993 and later was appointed Deputy Speaker of the House.

While in the State House of Assembly he served at different times in the House Committees on Public Accounts, Industries and Human Rights and Public Petitions.

He was also Chairman of Nsit Ubium Local Government Area from 1996-1997. Between 1999-2002, he served as the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Akwa Ibom State and on Nigeria’s return to democracy, he was appointed by the Victor Attah led government of Akwa Ibom State as Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice.

During his four year term as Attorney General, he served as Member, Akwa Ibom State Judicial Commission; Director, Anchor Insurance Company Limited; and Director, Akwa Ibom Savings and Loans Limited.

As Senator representing Akwa Ibom North East constituency, he served as Chairman to committees on Senate Services, Finance, Culture and Tourism, Power and Steel, and Local and Foreign Debts. He also served as Chairman, Ad hoc Committee on investigating illegal Withdrawals from the Excess Crude Fund without Authorization from the National Assembly and was a member of the delegation which witnessed the signing of the final exit of the Paris Club Debt in Paris, France.

Other committees he served on as member included: Committees on Appropriations, Air Force, Communications, Education, Privatization, Establishment and Public Services, Foreign Affairs, Christians Pilgrims Committee, and Committee on Information.

His unbeatable grasp of the legislature home and nationally led to the publication of his book: Independence of the Legislature in Nigeria: Matters Arising, in 2011 before he was appointed pro-chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council of the University of Benin, by the President Goodluck Jonathan led government in 2013.

Beyond the legislature, the sterling Nsit Ubium intellectual has been a member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) since in 1984. He later established his law firm – Effiong Bob and Associates, on completion of his national youth service. During his time as Attorney General in Akwa Ibom State, from 1999-2002, he served as member of the Council of Legal Education (Nigerian Law School); Member, Committee on Recruitment and Discipline (Nigerian Law School); Member, Body of Attorneys General in the Federation; Member, Body of Benchers; and Member, Akwa Ibom State Judicial Commission. He is also a Member of the National Executive Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association.

As a visionary leader, Senator Bob provides an outlook for the future as well as influences both the values and expectations of citizens.

Let us prepare to vote wisely come 2023.

Inemesit Ebu is a journalist and Publisher, Great Achievers’ World Magazine. She writes from Lagos State, Nigeria.