Myriad goodwill messages have trailed the recent award of Most Outstanding Senator of the Year by the organizers of the prestigious Democracy Heroes Awards to Senator (Obong) Bassey Albert, who represents Akwa Ibom North East (Uyo) Senatorial District in the Nigerian Senate.
The goodwill messages coming from a cross-section of traditional rulers, political class, and entrepreneurs, maintained that the award was well deserved.
Leading the pack, Akwa Esop Imaisong Ibibio, a socio-cultural organization in Ibibio nation, described the award as a no mean feat.
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The message signed by Ntisong (Dr.) Essien Ekidem on behalf of the group, said the honour was in recognition of the senator’s diligence.
“Evidently, your representation has been one of impact and true service coupled with impressive presentations during plenary, covering bills, motions and fruitful oversight functions,” Akwa Esop Imaisong Ibibio added.
Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio, a foremost socio-cultural group, congratulated the senator and announced its members’ delight to identify with him.
Related: Senator Albert’s Award Is An Honour For Akwa Ibom -Otuekong Ekpe Atakpo
The message of felicitations signed by its international president, Akparawa Patrick Udofia, maintained that the senator has worked tirelessly for the development of democracy.
Another socio-cultural group, Essu Nlap Oro, in a release signed by its president, Nlap Great Edemumoh, revealed that the group received the news of Albert’s nomination for the awarded with joy.
“Our prayer is for you to have the grace to do more for humanity as this attribute of yours is rare,” the group prayed.
A prominent member of the traditional institution, His Royal Majesty, Okuku Ime Udousoro Inyang, paramount ruler of Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area, also congratulated the senator, who also doubles as the chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream).
“It is natural for a father to be proud of his son when the world is celebrating him. Your award as the Most Outstanding Senator of the Year in Nigeria only goes to show your capacity in serving your people and Nigeria meritoriously,” he stated.
On his part, Rt. Hon. Henry Archibong, member representing Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency, appreciated the organizers of the award for considering Sen. Albert worthy of the award.
Rt. Hon. Archibong opined that the award appropriately reflected the purposeful and people-oriented posture of the recipient’s exploits in the 9th National Assembly.
State legislators were not left out as Hon. Godwin Ekpo, and Hon. Asukwo Udoh, representing Ibiono Ibom, and Ikono State Constituencies respectively, equally sent in their congratulatory messages.
Local government chairmen including Rt. Hon. Ekomabasi Akpan (Ibiono Ibom), Hon. (Dr.) Udemeobong Bassey (Nsit Ubium), Hon. Elder Imoh Okon (Uyo), and Rt. Hon. Barr. Etetim Onuk (Itu), all sent in their congratulations.
Obong Paul Ekpo, the immediate-past state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in his congratulatory message said the award “bears eloquent testimony of the fact that excellence can never hide.”
Obong Daniel Udoh, chairman, Senator OBA’s Liaison Office, posited that the award was in recognition of the senator’s courageous actions and exemplary leadership in using public offices as key instruments to better the lives of people and the society.
Congratulatory messages also came in from Uyo Club 1935, Ibom Golf Club, Otuekong Ekpe Atakpo, leader, Uyo Senatorial District Elders Forum; Elder Ntieyong Inyangmme, political leader, Ibiono Ibom LGA; Hon. Emmanuel Etim, chapter chairman, PDP, Ibiono Ibom; Evang. (Mrs.) Akwaima Enobong Akpan, president, Unique Market Women Union; Hon. Ekopimo Polycarp, Ibiono Ibom PDP LG chairmanship candidate, and Arc. Joseph Archibong, a private citizen.
The 2020 edition of the Democracy Heroes Awards took place on October 14, at the Congress Hall of Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja.
It also featured awards presentation to Mrs. Aisha Buhari, wife of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, former President of Nigeria; Boss Mustapha, secretary to the Government of the Federation; and His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife.
Also honoured were: Abubakar Malami, the attorney general and minister of justice; Geoffrey Onyeama, the minister of foreign affairs; Dr. Issa Pantami, minister of communication and digital economy; Dame Pauline Tallen, minister of women affairs; Governor Bello Metawalle, Governor Seyi Makinde, Governor Ishaku Darius, Governor Nasir El Rufai, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, and Senator Sani Uba.
In the posthumous category, late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, first indigenous Premier of Western Nigeria;
Alhaji Tafawa Balewa, Nigeria’s first Prime Minister; Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Nigeria’s first President; and MKO Abiola, winner of the aborted June 12 1993 presidential election, were honoured.
The organizing committee had revealed that the recognitions were aimed at “deepening the patriotic principles of democracy in Nigeria and Africa as well as to bring forth the spirit of nationalism in a bid to encourage African youths to wake up to the leadership responsibilities of the future.”
