Most people who succeed in impacting positively on the lives of others are those who have ingrained tendencies to serve humanity with knowledge, understanding, courage, selflessness and determination. Whether such tendencies are in-born or acquired, they become for the people concerned, the driving force behind their vision and ambition. In the end, they unconsciously leave indelible marks wherever they have been opportune to serve such that they are always remembered. Such is the man - Dr. Henry Okon Archibong, who many have described as a man of honour and humility.
Born 49 years ago into the family of Otuekong Joseph Okon Archibong of Ikot Akpan Ama Itam in Mbak Obio Itam, Itu Local Government Area. Being the first son of the family, his astuteness for academic excellence saw him cycling through various educational institutions starting from State School II Sangana Street, Mile I in Diobu, Port Harcourt where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate in 1978. He proceeded to Immaculate Conception Seminary College, Mfamosing in Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State and thereafter moved to the Federal College of Arts and Science, Aba where he obtained his West African Schools Certificate (WASC). He was at the College of Medical Sciences in the University of Calabar to do a degree in Medicine and Surgery (MB.Bch) in 1994.
While in the University, Dr. Archibong was the class representative of all science students in the University of Calabar in 1987. He was class representative of his class from 1987 – 1994. He was a member of the University of Calabar Students Representative Council in 1992 and was the choirmaster of St. Paul’s Catholic Church, University of Calabar from 1987 – 1994.
He attended the West African College of Surgeons in 1997 to do primaries in the medical field with specialty in Obstetrics and Gynecology. In that examination, he was among the only seven (7) students that passed in the whole of the West African sub-region. He was, in 2012-2014 at the British Council for the IELTS examinations. In 2009, he was at the Advance Resuscitation Academy for a Certificate in Advance Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS). That same year he obtained another certificate in Basic Life Support (BLS) from the same institution. Currently, Dr. Archibong is pursuing a course in Management of Health Systems (MPH) with the University of Liverpool, United Kingdom.
After his NYSC in Ondo State, Dr. Archibong worked with Gbeye Clinic & Maternity in Port Harcourt as Principal Medical Officer. He is the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Cyrhaven Health Services and Investment Ltd. located in Onelga, Rivers State with a branch in Ibeno Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State. He is the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Crystalid Hotels and Accommodations, Onelga, Rivers State. Dr. Archibong Chairs the Board of Directors of Cyrhaven Model Schools, Onelga in Rivers State. Between 2013 and 2014, he served in the Akwa Ibom State Government as Board Member in the Akwa Ibom Rural Water and Sanitation Agency, AK-RUWATSAN.
He is a member of the following professional bodies: Nigerian Medical Association, Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria and the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria. In the social circles, he was elected President of the Rotary Club of Omoku (District 9140) in 2003-2004. He has served as Vice Chairman of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio, Omoku Chapter between 2008 and 2014, and Chairman, Membership/Organization Committee, Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio, Omoku Chapter from 2011-2012. Currently, he is the Chairman, Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio, Omoku Chapter.
Politically, Dr. Archibong is a card carrying member of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party PDP and a Principal actor in the Politics of Akwa Ibom State in general and Itu and Ibiono Ibom Local Government Areas in particular. He is the Deputy Coordinator of the Akwa Ibom Consolidation Alliance (ACA) in Itu Local Government Area and currently the PDP Standard bearer for Itu/Ibiono Federal Constituency seat of the House of Representatives.
His nomination as the Standard bearer of the PDP for the House of Representatives to represent Itu/Ibiono Federal Constituency has been greeted with ovation from both within and outside political circles. As typical of such election, many people have described it as well deserved and meritorious. There is no gainsaying the fact that the enormous strides made by Dr. Archibong in the medical sector speak eloquently about the sterling stuff which the House of Representatives designate is made of. Truly speaking, no honest or right thinking person can justifiably dismiss his credentials or doubt his capability to discharge his responsibilities as a Federal Legislator imbued with the responsibility to speak and bring down democracy dividends to his constituents.
As impressive as his curriculum vitae is, the fact remains that not many people can connect with that. Rather, what most people, including the people of Itu/Ibiono Federal Constituency would easily connect with or share in common is his humble beginning. This is so because during his school days, he used to sale bread, iced blocks and soft drinks along Aba Road in Port Harcourt. He did this even up to his 4th year as a medical student in the University. Having known that he was not born with a silver spoon in his mouth, He recognized the fact that he can always make it in life through humility and hard work.
Dr. Archibong is listed among the few men on earth that has rubbished failure. He approaches failure as a challenge for greater achievements and goals. By his definition, failure is a brand that keeps trying, paying no attention to repetition – he believes so much in destiny and respects time and season. Having been stripped of his first contest for the same position in 2006, he waited patiently until his season showed up. By the Grace of God, after the February 14, 2015 elections, Dr. Archibong will hold sway as the member for Itu/Ibiono Federal Constituency in the Green Chambers of the National Assembly, a position you must be endowed with natural wisdom combined with scare intellect.
Dr. Archibong is a believing Christian and a true symbol of charity as evidenced by the number of people in Itu and beyond he has offered free medical treatment even at the most critical times. He has set himself aside as a purge vessel ready for the master’s use. Having realized that God lifted him for extra-ordinary purpose, he sees God as the only formidable power behind success, a fact which has been the reason why the St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Omoku bestowed on him, the Distinguished Merit Award for Benevolence, as well as the Distinguished Merit Award as a Shinning Light of the Community by the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN).
Today, the people of Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency decided to vote Dr. Archibong to represent them at the National Assembly for good reasons. Dr. Archibong is eminently qualified to be celebrated by his people because of his personal attainment in life and his selfless service for his community. He is a firm believer in the concept of community development and knows that for development to be sustainable, the people must take steps to actualize the process of development. He has been involved in redressing issues and problems that affects the lives of the people of his community. In the area of mentorship, Dr. Archibong epitomizes what has been said that life affords no greater responsibility, no greater privilege than the raising of the next generation. He has, through a heavy doze of personal example injected a sense of purpose and responsibility behaviour into youths of his immediate community. Dr. Archibong values good manners as well as competence and believes that communal values should express itself all situations and aspects of life. By every consideration, he deserves the votes and confidence of his people comes February 14, 2015, when he will be elected to represent them at the National Assembly.
Married to a lovely, kind hearted and virtuous woman, Victoria, Dr. Archibong is blessed with four children. He remains a beacon of hope and a great source of inspiration to any person who was not born with a silver spoon in his/her mouth. Dr. Henry Archibong, a man of humility and honour, a man of the moment, loved and celebrated by many, inspired by God, a quintessence, a bridge builder, a pragmatic democrat and perception manager par excellence, an intermediary factor in Itu/Ibiono politics, and a brand new face of leadership in Itu Local Government Area. Indeed, Itu and Ibiono people are proud of his humble beginning and journey to stardom… This is indeed UBOK UTOM ABASI!
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