Saturday 3 May 2014

BASSEY ALBERT VISITS SENATOR BOB

BASSEY ALBERT VISITS SENATOR BOB
Bassey Albert with Senator Effiong Bob after the visit

The immediate past Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Bassey Albert Akpan, on May Day 2014 paid a private visit to the former two-term Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria representing Uyo Senatorial District and current Pro Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council, University of Benin, Senator Effiong Bob in his Ewet Housing Estate residence, Uyo.
Mr. Albert who was accompanied by about 30 distinguished sons and daughters of Akwa Ibom State told his host that his visit was as a result of his deep respect for the distinguished Senator. Even though people will be surprised and read meanings into his visit, Albert noted that he has come to the realization of the fact that the only thing that is constant or permanent in life is change.
The former Commissioner told Senator Bob that men of his type were rare and emphasized that his visit was in recognition of Senator Bob’s place in history and described Senator Bob as one of the greatest sons of Ibibio.
According to the former banker turned politician, “I see myself as your younger brother and someone who looks up to your leadership. Men like you are rare and my being here shows that you are one of the greatest sons of Ibibio.” Albert continued that the experiences he has garnered as a result of his association with Senator Bob can last him for a lifetime. One of his greatest regrets Albert noted was not having the likes of Senator Bob in the National Assembly today. 
Mr. Bassey Albert whose remarks were punctuated by applauses reminded the Senator of his earlier promise to apologize to him publicly whenever the opportunity would offer itself. He pleaded with the Senator to forgive him whatever wrongs he had done him and pointed out that one’s greatest enemy yesterday could be one’s greatest friend today noting that one of the several lessons he has learnt from Senator Bob was his belief and abiding  faith in God Almighty.
Speaking on his years as Commissioner for Finance and somebody who had worked very closely with the Governor, Albert said that he can say without equivocation that if there is any Annang man that believes in Akwa Ibom State is his boss and mentor, the Governor. “If he never believed in Akwa Ibom and loved me as his son, he would never have kept in his cabinet all these years. The Governor knows that I love him sincerely but where I find myself today is in God’s hands and a subject of destiny.
While thanking Senator Bob for his magnanimous reception, Albert concluded that he wants to see himself on the positive side of history because he believes that “tomorrow will always come.” He used the occasion to pledge his loyalty to Senator Bob’s leadership of Uyo Senatorial District.
Responding, Senator Bob thanked God for giving Mr. Albert the grace to serve the State distinctively for seven years and quitting gracefully adding that not all public office holders would be given the kind of reception that Mr. Albert got on the day he left office. He asked Albert to take the fear of God as being critical and also to pray for life because nobody knows tomorrow.
On the issue of forgiveness, Senator Bob said that he holds no malice against the former Finance Commissioner. In the business of politics, Senator Bob said that “there would be no space to do good if you hold malice against people”.
Senator Bob used the occasion to drum support for President Goodluck Jonathan and re-echoed the position of the stakeholders in the State for Jonathan to contest the 2015 Presidential elections. On Akwa Ibom State, Senator Bob cautioned politicians to play down the ethnic card as this was capable of unnecessarily heating the polity. Senator Bob said that he was a firm believer in God and that he fears no one. He advised Albert to thank God for everything and convert his exit into something positive. “Anybody who tries to stop your destiny would have God to contend with”, Bob concluded.

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