By Etim Homage
TheHILL | FOCUS | MARCH 29.
Sycophancy is a common tool employed by many people to caress the ego or try to impress or seek attention of highly placed officials in our society. This tool is common, both in public and private sector, in our society. It is, oftentimes, perpetrated for personal gains or advancement in life.
Many times, the officials involved find it difficult to resist such unwarranted or exaggerated accolades, which are usually gratified by doling out huge sums of money or giving undue advantage to these officials by praise singers. Yet in Akwa Ibom state, we still have few public officials who are still true and honest to the ideals of good governance, irrespective of the overriding efforts of praise-singers.
The above scenario makes commendations difficult, even after critical analysis or assessment of public officials. It is, therefore, pertinent to say that one runs the risk of being wrongly classified as a sycophant if one tries to commend public officials, especially when they excel in the discharge of their duties, while also constructively admonishing them to do better when we find their performances inadequate or below expectation.
Right from his first term as Uruan representative in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly (2015 – 2019), Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey’s tenure has been undoubtedly rewarding as he held nothing back at building a formidable Uruan nation, one that has given everyone a sense of belonging.
The construction of Mbak-Issiet Road, reclamation and gully erosion control project on the Ituk Mbang–Ibiaku Issiet Road are some of the many intervention projects attracted to Uruan Local Government Area by Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey.
He trained more than 1000 youths in JAMB CBT and computer studies, sponsored JAMB Classes and purchased forms for more than 100 indigent students.
He facilitated vocational training and starter packs for more than 300 Uruan persons in phone repairs, hair dressing, fashion design, beads and hat making, computer studies and paint manufacturing. He has sponsored several editions of free medical exercise where more than 5000 Uruan people benefitted from the exercise.
Rt. Hon. Anekan Bassey has attracted projects such as Renovation of Town Hall at Ekim Enen, Renovation of Town Hall at Use Uruan, Installation of 300KVA Electricity Transformer at Ikot Inyang Esuk, Installation of Electricity Transformer at Afaha Ikot Issiet, Renovation of 4-Classroom Blocks at Ikpa Uruan, Facilitated the upgrading of Nung Ikono Ufok Village Market, Construction of 6-Classroom Blocks at Akan Obio Uruan, provided relief materials and cash to two warring communities (Anakpa and Nna Enin) to help resettle them and many more.
As a way of giving back to society, he floated a pet project, the RHAB-YESS Foundation (Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey Youth Entrepreneurship Support Scheme Foundation) to support young businesses and youths in Akwa Ibom State, create job and wealth, reduce unemployment, get the youth engaged, fight insecurity and chart a bright future.
Since commencement, the Foundation has supported 78 businesses, trained 38 artisans; provide special support to over 383 rural women and youths across the 31 local government areas of Akwa Ibom State in just 26 editions.
In fact, RHAB-YESS Foundation has rekindled the flame of enterprise in Akwa Ibom youths, provided succor to indigent students and rural women.
During his 2018 Constituency Briefing, he empowered more than 300 persons with cars, mini buses, motor cycles, sewing machines, vulcanizing machines, grass cutting machines, hair dryers, deep freezers, barbing saloon kits generating sets and grants.
In 2019 and 2020 empowerment programmes, more than 200 persons were empowered with cars, mini buses, tricycles, business grants, financial support for widows, hairdressing equipment, sewing machines, etc.
Installation of 200KVA Electricity Transformer at Anankpa, Installation of 200KVA Electricity Transformer to cover Ibeno Issiet, Afaha Ikot and Issiet Urua Akpa, as well as a Solar powered Borehole at Ekim Enen
Sponsored the Under-14 Uruan Team in which two Uruan sons – Godwin Okon Edet from Ekpene Ukim George Effiong Asuquo from Ikot Udoh were sponsored to Football Academy in Europe.
Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey sponsored Prince from Nna Enin who plays in a First Division side in Togo and also assisted Team Atakpo during the last Senator Bassey Albert Football competition which emerged as Second Runners Up with a Trophy and Silver Medal. He went further to sponsored Team Atakpo that came Second in the 2016 Akwa Ibom State FA Cups Competition.
He donated two giant-size standing fan and Generating Set to the Uruan Chapter of the PDP and also renovation of Use Uruan Town Hall though Seven Energy. The list of achievement is endless.
We will enjoin him to still improve on his own unequalled level of record performance and achievements as he is aspiring for Uyo Senatorial seat (Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District).
Etim Homage sent this piece from Ekpene Ukim village, Uruan LGA.
