The chairman, Senate committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream) and Senator representing Akwa Ibom North East, Senator Bassey Albert Akpan has bagged the African Leadership Icon Merit Award 2021 from an international organisation, the Global Peace Foundation International.
The Global Peace Foundation International (GPFI) in collaboration with Sunsplash TV News Africa and Sunsplash News 24 conferred the award on Senator Albert as legislative icon of the year in recognition of his spectacular leadership prowess in defense of humanity in Africa.
Dr. Kingsley said the group was quite happy with the tremendous work Senator Albert was doing in the Senate and his massive empowerment programme for his constituents covering education and skills development, among others.
In his remarks, Senator Bassey Albert Akpan thanked the Almighty God for the grace upon him in his duties which has enabled him to serve diligently to be appreciated and honoured by the Global Peace Foundation International and other bodies.
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Stressing on the importance of peace in the society, Senator Albert said that nobody or society can thrive without peace and commended the body for promoting peace and also for finding him worthy for the award.
“On behalf of my constituents, I am grateful to the Almighty God for his grace upon me. I am able to do all that you have said through the benevolence of God. I also thank Global Peace Foundation International for finding me fit for the award which I have received with the greatest sense of responsibility.
Senator Albert, who the leader of the Akwa Ibom Caucus in the National Assembly, said that the award was not about him as a peace icon, but was about promoting values in a system that will engender sustainable peace in our land, in our lives, in all our endeavours, even in our relationships.
He said, “So be rest assured that an award of this nature can only encourage us to do more towards sustainable peace in our land. I must also pay tribute to your international coordinator, the Cameroonian because based on your records in 15 countries of the world, this is the first time this award is being held not just in Nigeria but in Akwa Ibom State; the land of peace.”
He used the occasion to commend Governor Udom Gabriel Emmanuel for maintaining peace in Akwa Ibom and stressed that such a congenial atmosphere will be sustained beyond his administration.
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“I must commend the efforts of Governor Udom Emmanuel for maintaining peace in Akwa Ibom and I want to assure you that this peace will be sustained beyond now. We all must see ourselves as ambassadors of peace that wherever you are; you are preaching global peace. Global peace in the sense that if there is peace in Nigeria and there is peace in Cameroon and there is peace in Algeria and there is peace in the U.S; then collectively there’ll be global peace.
“We are in an era where the entire world is engulfed in crisis; some religious, some ethnic and some economic. So if there’s any time we need peace globally, it is now because even the Bible says that blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God,” he added.
Senator Albert assured the organization that he will continue to do all those things that will promote peace in our land and beyond.
“So I want to thank your organization and I thank the Almighty for making this possible and assure you that we will continue to do all those things that will promote peace in our land in Jesus name. Amen,” he said.
