SENATOR EFFIONG BOB: THE MAN OF THE PEOPLE

By Inemesit Ebu

Senator Effiong Bob

On October 01, 2021, the media space was busy with accolades, in honour of Distinguished Senator Effiong Bob on his 62nd birthday. This celebration by the people clearly showed that he is truly loved and appreciated by his people because of his integrity quality as a political leader.

Describing Senator Bob, I came in contact with Mr. Okon Akpanson who made beautiful comments on him labeling him as a man of the people. He emphasized that it is only a man loved by the people of his community and State that can be praised and appreciated on his birthday that way. He noted that he has known Senator Bob in his days as Senator as a philanthropist, grassroots leader and someone who is ready to help the youth to aspire to any level in life. This kind of remark is often so pleasing to note of a political leader.

Senator Effiong Bob is a grassroots politician in his own right who has been on ground all these years and is familiar with the needs of Akwa Ibom State and the people. He is a loyal party man who has remained faithful to the PDP since inception.

One common factor that differentiates Sen. Bob from others is that he is not deterred by sentiments, as he stands and supports with every word, what is right, having traversed the political space in the state for over twenty five years. Sen. Bob has been in the legislature and the executive with judicial background and so he has the world view to make an outstanding leader. Whatever positive decision he takes, he must follow it unto a rewarding conclusion to affect even the common man confidently.

To proof his grassroots affiliation with the people, he has helped a number of youth who needed to further their education but could not because of lack of funds. He has empowered so countless people with skills while he is a role model to many.

2023 general elections are drawing 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 and they believe a good leader is one who fulfills his electioneering promises.

Senator Effiong Bob is an effective and visionary leader who will have long-run positive impacts on the citizens of the state in terms of their economic well-being, faith in government and democracy and long-run values and expectations.

Senator Effiong Bob, FCIArb was born on October 1, 1959 into the family of Chief Dickson Bob in Ikot Ekwere – Ubium in what is today Nsit Ubium local government area. Young Effiong Bob began formal education at the Government Primary School, Ikot Ekwere in 1965 and passed out in 1971 with the First School Leaving Certificate. Not satisfied with just the First School Leaving Certificate, Effiong Bob enrolled into the Salvation Army Secondary School, Akai Ubium in 1973.

On completion of secondary school, and having obtained the General Certificate of Education (A’ Level) from the then School of Arts Science, Uyo, he took up a civil service appointment with the then Cross River State civil service. Because of his leadership potentials, Effiong Bob was posted in 1979 as Pioneer Secretary of the Land Allocation Advisory Committee, Ikot Ekpene LGA that comprised the present Ikot Ekpene, Obot Akara and Essien Udim local government areas.

Senator Effiong Bob, FCIArb not satisfied with an A’ Level certificate proceeded to the prestigious University of Lagos to pursue a law programme. He excelled to the extent of winning Chief Chris Ogunbanjo’s Scholarship Prize in LLB (Part 2) as overall best student having regard also to the performance in Land Law and Commercial Transactions.

He came back from Law School, completed the NYSC programme and worked with G. A. Ikott & Associates before setting up his Law Firm: Effiong Bob and Associates, Legal Practitioners where he is the Principal Partner. He was formerly a member of the National Executive Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association and is a Fellow, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Nigeria.

In 1990, Effiong Bob was the Supervisory Councilor in charge of Works and Transport. During his tenure, he oversaw the site clearing and construction of what is today Nsit Ubium Local Government Council Secretariat. His office initiated the construction of the main building from start to finish. Most other local government councils took a cue from this. His tenure also saw the massive rural electrification of communities within the area. Slippery hills were filled up and tarred.

In 1996, he was back to Nsit Ubium local government council, this time as the Council Chairman having won in a keenly contested zero party election. Although the tenure was brief, he graded roads across the council area, built culverts and market stalls in most markets within the area. His Administration also undertook the tarring of slippery hills at Ikot Eyo, Ndukpoise, Ikot Obio Ndua, Odoro Atasung and at Atiamkpat.

In 1992, Effiong Bob was elected into the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly to represent Ubium State Constituency. He served in various committees of the House including Chairmanship of the House Committee on Public Accounts.

He was elected the Deputy Speaker and served under two different Speakers.

In 1999, he was appointed Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Akwa Ibom State. In that capacity, he was Member, 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, Member, Akwa Ibom State Judicial Service Commission, Director, Anchor Insurance Company LTD and Director, Akwa Savings and Loans LTD.

During his tenure, he saw to the codification of the Laws of Akwa Ibom State, he fought for Resource Control and fought for the abrogation of the Onshore/Offshore oil dichotomy in revenue sharing.

Senator Effiong Bob was elected into the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2003 and again in 2007. (Eight years)

In the Senate, he served as 1. Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance, Chairman Senate Committee on Services, Chairman Senate Committee on Culture and Tourism, Vice Chairman Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, Chairman, Senate Ad-hoc Committee Investigating Illegal Withdrawals from the Excess Crude Fund without Authorization of the National Assembly, Member of the Delegation that witnessed the signing of the final exit of the Paris Club Debt in Paris, France and Member of the ECOWAS Parliament Representing Nigeria for 8years.

He was appointed Pro-chancellor and Chairman of Council, University of Benin. In that capacity;

1. He presided over a very peaceful and harmonious selection of the institution’s Vice-Chancellor

2. His tenure witnessed no strike by staff of the institution and no demonstration of any kind by students of the University.

3. Ensured that qualified applicants from the state gained admission into the institution 4. Facilitated the recruitment of qualified staff (academic and non-academic) into the University.

He is the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Ritman University, Ikot Ekpene.

He is Chairman, Comfort Radio, 95.1FM, Uyo.

Senator Effiong Bob is the author of the book INDEPENDENCE OF THE LEGISLATURE IN NIGERIA: MATTERS ARISING (2010)

In recognition of his service and leadership qualities and potentials, people have written essays and published books in his honour.

1. LAW MAKING, GOOD GOVERNANCE AND ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE IN NIGERIA (2014) – Edited by Dr. F. O. Ojeih and F. J. Oniekoro

2. JUSTITIA (2014) A publication of the Law Association, Igbinedion University Okada Edited by Dr. Osaretin George Izevbuwa.

3. SENATOR EFFIONG BOB: ODESSEY TO SENATE (2012) By Victor Efik

4. RT HON EFFIONG BOB IN HIS EARLY YEARS

SKETCHES BY A JOURNALIST (2009) By Iheukwumere S. Iheukwumere

While people move from one political party to another seeking comfort and protection, Senator Effiong Bob has remained steadfast and staunchly PDP. Even in the face of provocation, he has remained undaunted. In fact, even when people pressured him to jump ship, he was not moved. That is the mark of true leadership.

Senator Effiong Bob is a Christian and an excellent family man, married to Comfort and the marriage is blessed with three children.

He has incontrovertible experience in leadership: he has been in the judiciary arm as a legal practitioner, in the legislative arm as a member of the House of Assembly and as a Senator, and he has served in the executive arm as Supervisory Councillor and Chairman of the local government council as well as Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice at the state level. He has been in government at the local, state and federal levels. He is, therefore, qualified to give leadership at whatever level.

Inemesit Ebu is a Lagos based Journalist, who had worked in the defunct Newswatch Magazine and Now, Publisher, Great Achievers World Magazine. She is an expert in executing Special Projects. 08023103484